Irvine, Calif. – Bosch eBike Systems' PowerTube 500, a battery which can be sleekly integrated into the frame of the bicycle, won the prestigious Interbike 2018 "eBike Product Innovation" Award. Interbike partnered with Hi-Torque Publications to evaluate and select winners in mountain, road and electric categories.
"The PowerTube 500 sets a new eBike standard by showing it's possible to get both a really capable, high-range eBike that looks more and more like a regular bicycle," said Claudia Wasko, Vice President & General Manager of Bosch eBike Systems Americas. "We're proud of this award and to see so many gorgeous PowerTube-equipped eBikes start to hit dealer showrooms." North American brands using PowerTube on their newest eBike models include Bulls, Cannondale, Cube, Fuji, Gazelle, Haibike, Mondraker, Raleigh Electric, Riese & Mueller, and Trek.
New design dimension: PowerTube 500 combines style with efficiency
Bosch's new eBike battery can be integrated into the frame of an eBike, invisible from the outside. This considerably widens the range of options available to bike designers, manufacturers and end consumers. The PowerTube 500 combines style and practicality, offering the power of an eBike with an aesthetic that more closely resembles a traditional bicycle.
The PowerTube 500 can be built into different types of frames, and is therefore suitable for a wide range of cycles – from city bikes and roadsters to eMountain bikes. The battery can be removed from the top, bottom or side. A two-stage mechanism ensures complete safety and easy handling when the battery is being inserted or removed: when unlocked, the battery clicks out of the frame by less than an inch and can easily be handled. A safety device prevents the battery from falling out. The battery is also optimally protected by the frame. Alternatively, the PowerTube 500 can be charged directly on the bike. The recesses on the upper side can be used for a bottle holder or for design trims. The surface of the PowerTube 500 stands out with a high-grade anodized aluminum in black.
Maximum compatibility with Bosch product lines
The integrated battery has a capacity of approximately 500 watt hours (Wh); it measures just 13.7" x 3.3" x 2.6" inches and weighs only around 6.2 lbs. The PowerTube 500 has an impressive power density and is one of the lightest batteries currently on the market. The new lithium-ion battery is also available in combination with DualBattery: if it is installed horizontally by the manufacturer, the lower tube can be used for an additional frame battery or a bottle holder, for example. The PowerTube 500 is compatible with all of Bosch eBike Systems' product lines.
