TECH CHECK

BIMOTAL ELEVATE EBIKE MOTOR SYSTEM

CONVERT ALMOST ANY BIKE TO AN EBIKE

Words & Photos by Cole Gregg

January 24, 2025

The Bimotal Elevate system is a removable eBike conversion kit for a bike you already own. This allows you to bring assisted climbing to your trail or enduro mountain bike, or even that downhill which otherwise sits collecting dust all winter. This electric bike drive unit and battery can be easily fitted and removed from the frame, returning you to pedal power only in less than 30 seconds.

Editor’s Note: Tech Check Features are made with the help of partnering brands to share the latest news and technology about products. These are not our official reviews as we don’t have enough time in the products to have thoroughly vetted them for recommendation. We look forward to putting a lot more miles on these products and will be reporting back with our honest and objective input soon.

The current generation Bimotal Elevate eBike motor system is a Class 2 system, limited to a maximum assisted speed of 20mph. The throttle on the handlebar gives you varied assistance, with the assistance level tunable within the Bimotal app. Currently, there is no way for the system to only work as a pedal assist, however you are not going to be ripping ruts in trails if you just utilize the throttle.

The intention with the Bimotal Elevate eBike motor is to use the system as a boost to your strength, and a boost it gives. The peak power output for the $1,995 1.5kg system 750w, with a maximum torque of 70Nm. It is certainly no slouch when it comes to power. The battery pack mounted on the downtube weighs in at 1.55kg, delivering 300wh of capacity. This can be recharged from empty in 1.5 hours. The total system weight is just over 3kg, making it comparable with a typical mid-power eMTB when mounted.

The removable motor features a hard plastic output gear, rated to around 1000 miles. That output gear drives a rotor gear that is fixed to the bike via your disk brake mounts. The output gear is rated to around 3000 miles. These gears mesh together, driving power to the rear wheel. The motor itself has two quick-release fixtures which operate similar to an old seat clamp. The rotor gear is fixed to the brake rotor which replaces the original one you were using. The motor can either be left on the bike when descending, or removed and placed in a hip pack or backpack for a better bike feel on rough descents. The motor does not rattle or cause drag when left on, but does add unsprung mass to the rear wheel, which will affect the ride characteristics of the bike.

When it comes to range, Bimotal claims the 300wh battery in the Elevate system is good for about 1,600 feet of climbing if you are full throttle the entire time. We have to ask, is there any other way?! Riders that are a bit more gentle with their throttle can see up to 3,000 feet of climbing. As far as mileage goes, expect to see 10 – 15 total miles of assistance.

BIKE COMPATIBILITY

The Bimotal Elevate system works with most disk brake bikes. The caliper must be placed outside of the rear triangle, in either an external post mount or ISO Mount location. Frames with the caliper inboard of the frame will not work. Additionally, brake mounts must be Post Mount 140mm to 180mm or ISO. Solutions for Post Mount 203mm and Flat Mount are currently in development. Lastly, brakes must have 4 piston calipers to properly work with the adapter. The system uses one size larger rotor than what you currently have installed. For example, if your bike is a PM 180mm, the rotor size you would select when ordering is 200mm.

INSTALLATION

Installation of the Bimotal Elevate system is fairly straightforward. The most complicated aspect is making sure to get the lashing on the rotor gear correct, to prevent excess wear on the system. This is done with the post adjustments on the brake caliper adapter mount. Outside of that, you simply zip-tie the power cable to your frame, or run it through the frame if you want to get fancy. The battery tray takes the place of your current water bottle mount. It is best to cycle your shock during installation to ensure the battery does not contact the frame. The battery tray has a wide adjustment range, helping to accommodate any interference.

Bimotal Elevate eBike Conversion System

DETAILS

Total system weight 3kg

MOTOR

  • 20mph top assist speed
  • 50 Nm continuous (70 Nm peak)
  • 750W Peak Power
  • 1.5kg (3.3lb)

BATTERY

  • 300Wh
  • 1.55kg (3.4lbs)
  • Typical range 10-15 miles and 1600 – 3500 feet climbing
  • Charge time 1.5hr
Bimotal Elevate eBike Conversion System

The Wolf’s First Impression

I consider the Bimotal Elevate motor system to be a rad concept for a rider that has their dream bike but wants to be able to complete more than 1 lap after work. The overall integration is fairly neat for a bolt-on system, and power delivery was solid. When it comes to power, the Bimotal Elevate sits between a full-power electric bike and an SL eBike. It has significantly more initial kick than the SL’s due to the 70Nm of torque, coming close to the full power Shimano EP801 eBike drive unit. The Bimotal drive unit itself is a bit louder than a traditional inboard system, partially due to not having the frame to deaden the sound.

The use of the throttle on the Bimotal system took some getting used to, and I would have to train my brain on when and how much to use it in order to maximise range. I was full gas all the time of course, range isn’t typically my main consideration. Even mounted to a Propain Spindrift with a 7-speed close ratio cassette, I was able to climb anything I wanted, with next to no heavy breathing. It was pretty wild to be zipping up climbs with a dual crown!

When it came to going down, I much preferred to ride with the motor in a pack, reducing the unsprung weight on the rear axle. The added weight from the battery was not all that noticeable, since it is sprung weight that’s mounted to the main frame. With the extra 6.7lbs in system weight mounted to the bike, I increased my suspension and tire pressure to help retain the ride quality I was after. Overall using the Bimotal Elevate system was a breeze, and it was super cool to get more time behind the bars of a downhill bike! 

Visit Bimotal.com to learn more. 

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