DJI & ZF KILLER - Polini EP3+ MX

[@4x4Pikester]

All Polini need to do is make their motor directly interchangeable with a Shimano motor with ability to plug into a shimano batteries and I could see a massive aftermarket place for them. Sorting software and controllers would be the biggest issue I imagine.

[@alexbiketester]

I told them.... They think it's a good idea...

[@4x4Pikester]

@@alexbiketester If they don't get in there I am pretty sure Bafang will. Have been a big fan of the Polini concept since learning about them a few years back. Just a shame more mainstream manufactures haven't bought into it.

[@Coolcmsc]

This is good idea. I’d immediately buy a complete engine, battery, loom and controller for my perfectly serviceable big 4 year old SantaCruz Bullit. They’d just need to think about the display (design and where to put it) 🎉 Great vid: subscribed 😊

[@alexbiketester]

@@Coolcmsc thanks, they havea display that looks liek a specialized version as well. They also told me they still feel that the power switch needs development.

[@nigelrandtoul8646]

Great vid Alex, told me everything I needed to know, next step is off to Berkshire bikes to test one for myself.

[@alexbiketester]

@@nigelrandtoul8646 it's fun and solid..... :-)

[@zfgesk8]

WOW - an eMTB brand that lets you unlock their motor and perform all preventative maintenance tasks. Big brands need to pay attention.

[@MrThepits]

My Shimano motor died I went looking for a frame set with motor MDE had the perfect solution but don't ship to the UK in the end I bought one of their ex demo bikes and picked it up while I was on holiday. The performance of the motor is way ahead of the Shimano and I love the fact that I can get parts and repair/service it myself, this is how it should be. The other manufacturers need to wake up to this and stop supplying us bikes with a limited life span. Also big shout out to Federico at MDE so helpful and a pleasure to deal with.

[@Codeset08]

It's great to get more information on this motor system Alex not many people seem to be covering this motor.

[@alexbiketester]

Its a great motor. highly underrated. Even if it is not able to grow much outside its current brands, then its a lesson to the other brands out there that need to learn from them. In the laptop world there is a brand called framework, who have the same methods. Quality performance and ability to repair easily. I was talking to simon today about cast moulds as well, these guys are the top for this type of product. The did say they are still not happy with their remote styling and asked me what I thought. I told them my experiences over the last 14 years of ebike stuff and the recent shimano remote has been the most robust. I want to do a factory visit and see how they repair and rebuild the motors.

[@silverp86]

Polini seems awsome also the spare parts avability seems amazing

[@alexbiketester]

it amazingly true. They have the spare parts and the motors can be opened and serviced or reconditioned, prolonging the life of the bike they are attached to.

[@mha1978dent]

@@alexbiketester I can attest to this having had a pretty big off and bashing the motor in the alps and sending back to the shop for a repair it’s fantastic to be able to service the motor. What would be good is a series of videos for the end user.

[@alexbiketester]

@@mha1978dent I will talk to them see what we can do.... I want to visit their repair shop one time as well.

[@mha1978dent]

@@alexbiketester I’d love to come to see that! Also ask them about garmin integration. I could go display free with a mid cable dongle on my shimano e8000 and just use the garmin as a display. This would be an absolutely fantastic feature, and I’m sure an easy fix.

[@enduroexc3009]

Awesome Motor and Polini are great to deal with

[@RoissyAngel]

I have never heard of this motor before. Never seen one in the UK. Repairability and water proofing are vital to me if I buy an ebike, especially in wet, wet, wet very hilly Wales.

[@endurosniper]

Cool video

[@konannanok4961]

Can you tell us anything about rattle and how the engine sounds compared to Bosh and Shimano ? I'm fascinated by shimano humming sound while riding, i can feel the nature cos it;s not intrusive. I wonder if polini feels the same.

[@alexbiketester]

Polini sounds more metalic under load. I would say sound is marginally louder or similar . but if it is you might need a decibel meter to actually quantify it

[@alexbiketester]

Doesn't rattle.

[@MrThepits]

​@@alexbiketesterwhen you say more metallic do you mean like a chain not quite indexing properly between gears? That's what mine sounds like going up hill under load. Do you think this is normal?

[@getlostrobyn5498]

Super interested in the Pollini motor Alex, are there any UK dealers selling bikes with the Ep3+

[@alexbiketester]

berkshire cycles

[@andrewford9974]

Seems like a really, really good motor but I would put the bafang m600 up to 140 nm And you can cheaply repair or rebuild (any) part that might break

[@eBikerHowie]

Any way to get these bikes and motors in the USA?

[@alexbiketester]

Special orders I think. The bike brands that use these motors are nervous though about customers having no direct support there in country.

[@TheSanjurok]

What bikes have this motor ? any UK stockist ?

[@alexbiketester]

Berkshire cycles have a Fulgur brand. I just tried today for the first time the Ecrown, racing it tomorrow, impressed so far. It also made me realise a robust big bike needs a robust big motor, as tracktion is better managed due to the design and weight of the bike. MBE also have it. My common idea when i ride these bikes is that they ride up as fast as down.... www.ecrown.it/performanteRS they are starting selling from september in public. I know that Berkshire cycles have had Polini reps go there to train them on motor servicing as well. Whats good about this motor is it already exists (is very powerful) and when considering all the features it blows DJI and ZF, which dont even exist with a track record or a repairability record, out of the water.

[@ondrejjanoska660]

Did you ride the DJI motor already?

[@alexbiketester]

not yet... just intense discussion with someone who has

[@revivemtb5961]

​@alexbiketester that's bonkers your comparing something you haven't used 😮

[@philjlo7560]

Big selling points are spare parts and repairability? Would that be like an every other day occurrence? A likely killer? ….not…

[@alexbiketester]

Irony. But no, it's pretty reliable. You can service it yourself anyway. That's the point....

[@romero424]

I want one

[@BackpackersRomania]

Polini's engine repair politics is awesome BUT ... is pointless until they came with a big marketing ideea ( a known Bike manufacturer, one of the big one's / winning some really big contest etc) something to really stand out in front of the customers. In our days, sadly, the "winner" is not the most powerful engine , the most quieter or the most reliable, no , is that one with the best marketing . I know about Polini's ebike motors from a few years ago , but I feel that they are still playing in the lower market segment. Like @4x4Pikester said , the ideea to make Polini's engine to be directly interchangeable with a Shimano motor ( as I know they have the same mounting points) it can be a good one.

[@alexbiketester]

Yes, the biggest issue is normally battery solutions. The battery sizing needs to be same as the other brand it's replacing. Plus compatibility with communication motor/controller standards.

[@youling1997]

Whoever gets the product onto the market first wins

[@dallasdrew2390]

Click bait title mate 😊

[@alexbiketester]

I actullay ride a motor that has numbers bigger than them (real) thats already available..... ;-) The conclusion though is valid. Power deserves to sit on big bikes, lightweight bikes with lots of power dont need the power. Real lightweight bikes. 19kg was already achieved by a lightweight full power e bike by specialized in 2019, everyone forgot. The S-works Turbo Levo. 90 NM 720 Wh. Polini with their motor have an even better solution if you want raw power, its already on the market.

[@FritzPhoto]

5 years doesn't sound much

[@alexbiketester]

after out of production which means a 12 year at least product cycle.

[@neil27pearson]

It's not an anything killer.. This is such a biased review it's worth nothing 😂😂😂😂

[@alexbiketester]

I ride 90 percent of the time Bosch or Shimano motors. The fact that I know this motor is in another league of power and performance and repairability. I don't use it often as there are not many bikes with it, I keep asking them if they can make an adapter....

[@MBRmagazine]

@@alexbiketester loose on an unrestricted e-bike, better run for cover! 😂 Good luck for the race!! #enhancedgames