SRAM Eagle Powertrain aims to make eMTBs automatic

Despite the stigma floating around about eMTBs, more and more legacy bicycle brands are dipping their toes into the space. SRAM's recently announced its Eagle Powertrain as a premium all-in-one solution for electric mountain bikes. SRAM has partnered with premium brands, like Propain, Nukeproof, Gas Gas, and Transition for bicycles built on the Powertrain platform, and the Powertrain feature set is equally premium.

In developing the Eagle Powertrain system, SRAM targeted an all-in-one solution that controls and monitors not just the battery, motor, and controller but also the gear shifting. As such, the Eagle Powertrain features Auto Shift, which monitors the rider's power output and wheel speed and automatically shifts into an easier or more difficult gear according to SRAM's algorithms.

The Eagle Powertrain also has Coast Shift, which allows for pre-emptive down- or up-shifting without the need to pedal to get the chain to move to the correct position. It does this by spinning the chain with the electric motor at the same time as the rider prompts the derailleur to move. Riders can customise the available Rally and Range riding modes from the AXS smartphone app, and Auto Shift is customisable on the fly, too, allowing riders to select at which pedal speed the transmission should shift up and down.

The SRAM Eagle Powertrain uses a motor with a 250 W nominal power output and 90 Nm, although peak power output is 680 W. SRAM also has a 250 Wh battery extender available on its site. Aside from the obvious benefit of added electric power, the features of the Eagle Powertrain aim to simplify things and make it easier for riders to get through challenging terrain.

SRAM hasn't announced when the Eagle Powertrain will be available on partner bikes, but it's not expected to be a budget option.

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