Bosch Debuts Hub Line Motor, Avinox Showcases Motor-Gearbox Concept at Eurobike, Canyon & Gazelle Release New City E-Bikes | TWR Ep 89

Avinox debuted something genuinely interesting at Eurobike this week: the MG Concept, a unit that combines the company’s M2S mid-drive motor with a built-in continuously variable transmission (CVT). The result is a drivetrain that puts out up to 1,500W of peak power and 150 Nm of torque, while also offering regenerative braking to recover energy while braking or heading downhill.

The CVT offers fully customizable gear profiles ranging from 100% to 520%, and an automatic mode that lets the rider set a target cadence or power input and let the system handle the rest. Avinox claims shifting takes less than a tenth of a second, which would be faster than any traditional derailleur setup. The motor can also be locked electronically to prevent theft, and the system is compatible with either a chain or belt drive.

Avinox says the MG Concept can be adapted for eMTB, e-trekking, e-SUV, e-gravel, and other bike styles. It has already been shown on frames from Canyon, Mondraker, and others, which suggests it may be closer to production than a typical concept.

One detail Avinox didn’t elaborate on: the electric reverse assist feature. We’ll be curious to hear more about that one.

Our Take:

The specs here are hard to ignore. 150 Nm of torque, sub-tenth-of-a-second shifting, regenerative braking, and customizable gear profiles in a single integrated unit is a lot to offer. The CVT angle is particularly interesting because it removes the chain and derailleur from the efficiency equation entirely, at least in theory.

The fact that it’s already appearing on frames from recognizable brands is a good sign that this isn’t just a trade show exercise. Whether it can be manufactured at a price point that makes sense for production e-bikes is the question. We’ll be watching this one closely.

Bosch, a brand that has built its entire e-bike reputation on mid-drive motors, announced its first rear-hub motor this week. The Hub Line is designed specifically for city use. It has a nominal output of 250W, peaks at 400W, and delivers up to 45 Nm of torque. It supports speeds up to 28 mph, weighs around 5 lbs, and has a diameter of just 4 inches, making it nearly invisible once installed on a bike.

The Hub Line pairs with the PowerTube 360 battery, a 360 Wh pack that weighs around 6 lbs, putting the combined motor and battery weight at roughly 11 lbs. For riders who need more range, it’s also compatible with the PowerMore 250 range extender. Bosch estimates up to 50 miles of range on a charge.

The system is compatible with throttle levers up to 20 mph, locks the motor and battery when powered off, and connects to the Bosch Flow app for location tracking via the ConnectModule. It also supports eShift for automatic electronic gear changes, and an Auto mode uses intelligent sensors to adjust the level of assist automatically. Bosch says the system is designed to deliver a particularly strong boost when starting from a stop.

On the display side, Bosch released a new Intuvia 200 display along with a five-button LED controller that can replace a display entirely for riders who prefer a cleaner cockpit.

Bosch also announced an update to the Active Line Plus mid-drive motor. Torque goes from 50 to 60 Nm, while peak power stays at 600W. The motor got 17% smaller and shed 0.5 kg (about 1.1 lbs) in the process. Power delivery is reportedly smoother, and motor output can be tuned to match individual preferences.

Our Take:

This is a meaningful move from Bosch. The brand entering the hub motor category is not something many people would have predicted, and it signals that the company sees real demand in the urban commuter market that its mid-drive systems weren’t fully addressing.

The Hub Line’s specs are modest by design. At 45 Nm and 400W peak, this isn’t a motor for climbing mountains or carrying heavy cargo. But for a slim, low-maintenance, light city e-bike, the weight and size numbers are impressive. The Active Line Plus update is a solid improvement too, particularly the torque bump and the weight reduction.

Two major brands were ready to go with Hub Line-equipped models the same week Bosch announced the motor.

Canyon’s Roadlite: ON CF is a single-speed city e-bike built around a lightweight carbon fiber frame that weighs under 31 lbs. It comes equipped with a Gates belt drive, fast-rolling 700x35c Continental Grand Prix Urban tires, and a Selle Royal SRX saddle. The Hub Line motor delivers 45 Nm and 400W of peak power, and the 360 Wh battery is rated for up to 55 miles of range in Eco mode. Canyon also designed the frame with a kinked top tube to make it easier to lift and carry. The Roadlite: ON CF is available in black and white, with prices starting at 2,999 Euros. It also took home a Red Dot Best of the Best 2026 award.

Gazelle’s Curb is a contemporary, minimalist city e-bike that shares the same Hub Line motor and PowerTube 360 battery. It comes in two versions: the C1, a single-speed model with a Gates belt drive, and the T9, which adds a 9-speed Shimano CUES derailleur for riders who want gears. Both include Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc brakes and Supernova lighting integrated into the handlebar and rear fender. Rather than a dedicated display, the Curb uses a smartphone mount (SP Connect or Quadlock). A wheel lock is included. Pricing starts at 2,399 Euros, with availability expected in the fall. The Curb also won a Red Dot Design Award.

Gazelle is also releasing a limited edition Curb in collaboration with Danish designer Mads Norgaard. It features a hand-painted black and white striped finish with a matte black front end, and each bike is hand-assembled. Only five will be sold. Interested buyers can pre-register on Gazelle’s website. It comes with a matching striped shirt from Mads Norgaard and carries the same 2,399 Euro price.

Our Take:

Both bikes make a strong case for what a lightweight, minimal city e-bike can look like when the motor and battery are handled well. Under 31 lbs for a carbon e-bike is genuinely light, and the Roadlite: ON CF’s design looks sharp for a single-speed commuter.

The Curb’s no-display approach is a choice some riders will love and others won’t. Using your phone as a display works fine until it doesn’t, but for a bike aimed at clean aesthetics, it makes visual sense. The T9 version with gears adds useful versatility for riders in hillier cities.

The limited edition collaboration is fun, though five units is more of a collector’s piece than a product launch. If you want one, get on that waitlist quickly.

The Spanish company Etnnic has released the V3 of its folding electric trike, a tadpole-style model with a folding aluminum frame that weighs 29.5 kg (about 65 lbs). Power comes from a 250W Bafang mid-drive motor with 95 Nm of torque and a top speed of 25 km/h (about 15.5 mph). The drivetrain uses an 8-speed Shimano Nexus gear hub and hydraulic brakes.

The 672 Wh battery carries a UN38.3 certification, meaning it has been subjected to vibration, impact, and temperature testing. Etnnic estimates a range of up to 110 km (around 68 miles). The trike also includes a rear cargo rack with rolling caster wheels, similar to the setup found on Brompton folding bikes. Folded dimensions come in at 103 x 93 x 45 cm (roughly 41″ x 37″ x 18″).

The V3 is available for pre-order now, with deliveries scheduled for June and July. It’s priced at 5,995 Euros.

Our Take:

Folding electric trikes occupy a pretty specific niche, but for riders who need the stability of three wheels, the cargo capacity, and the ability to fold down for storage or transport, there aren’t a ton of well-equipped options at any price. The 95 Nm torque figure from a 250W Bafang mid-drive is solid, and the UN38.3 battery certification is a meaningful detail given how often battery safety gets glossed over in product announcements.

At 65 lbs, this isn’t something you’ll be carrying up stairs, but folding trikes rarely are. The rolling caster wheels on the cargo rack are a smart design touch that make storage and movement on foot more practical.

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