Summary

Shimano EP801 is a high-performance mid-drive motor system designed for premium e-mountain bikes. It delivers refined power delivery, enhanced integration, and expanded tuning options through Shimano’s E-Tube Project platform. As part of the second-generation EP8 series, EP801 builds on the foundation of the EP800 motor while improving torque control, connectivity, and multi-application flexibility.

Key Facts

Introduced: 2022
Category: E-Bike System
Also known as: Shimano EP8 Gen 2
Motor type: Mid-drive
Torque: 85 Nm
Power: 250 W nominal, with high peak output
Compatible batteries: Shimano 630 Wh, 504 Wh, and third-party systems via CAN bus
Smart integration: E-Tube Project app, automatic shifting support, customizable assist profiles
Used by: Orbea, Pivot, Yeti, Canyon, Norco, Mondraker
Official website: https://bike.shimano.com

Overview

The Shimano EP801 drive unit is the evolutionary successor to the original EP800 motor, introduced as part of Shimano’s push to refine e-MTB performance across trail, enduro, and all-mountain applications. It retains the compact form factor, low weight, and magnesium housing of its predecessor while enhancing internal software logic, shifting integration, and overall system flexibility.

What sets EP801 apart from earlier Shimano systems is its deeper connectivity to the full drivetrain. It’s designed to work seamlessly with Di2 electronic shifting, including Shimano’s Auto Shift and Free Shift modes — technologies that allow e-bikes to shift intelligently with or without pedaling. This tight integration allows for a more intuitive riding experience and positions EP801 not just as a motor, but as a control center for the entire e-bike system.

In terms of ride feel, EP801 maintains the natural pedal response Shimano motors are known for, but with improved responsiveness at low cadence and under higher torque loads. This makes it especially well-suited to steep, technical terrain where fine motor control and traction are critical.

Compared to Bosch’s Performance Line CX or Specialized’s custom Brose motors, the EP801 offers a slightly more subtle assist character, emphasizing smoothness over sheer punch — a choice many experienced riders appreciate when navigating varied terrain or long rides.

How It Works

At the core of the EP801 is a mid-drive motor that sits low in the frame, replacing the traditional bottom bracket. It drives the crankset directly and uses the bike’s own drivetrain to transmit power to the rear wheel, which allows it to take full advantage of gear ratios — a major efficiency benefit over hub motors.

Key Performance Specs

Torque Output: 85 Nm — enough to climb steep trails with heavy loads
Nominal Power: 250 watts — per EU regulations, though peak output can exceed this
Top Assisted Speed: 20 mph (US Class 1) or 25 km/h (EU), with tuning for Class 3 in some markets
Weight: ~2.7 kg (5.95 lbs), using a magnesium casing
Cooling System: Internal thermal management plus external fins

E-Tube Project App

Shimano’s E-Tube Project app is central to the EP801’s operation. It allows riders to customize assist characteristics across two profiles, each with independent settings for:

Assist Start Level
Maximum Torque
Support Character (how quickly the assist ramps up)

This tunability gives riders more control over how the motor behaves, from energy-saving modes for long rides to aggressive power for technical climbs.

System Architecture

EP801 uses Shimano’s CAN bus protocol, allowing greater compatibility with third-party displays, batteries, and control systems. It also supports Bluetooth and ANT+ for wireless pairing with sensors and cycle computers.

Di2 Integration

One of EP801’s biggest upgrades is its seamless pairing with Shimano’s Di2 electronic shifting systems. With the correct derailleur and shifter setup, riders gain access to:

Auto Shift – The system automatically selects gears based on cadence, speed, and torque.
Free Shift – Allows the bike to shift while coasting, using motor torque to reposition the drivetrain even without pedaling.

This makes for smoother transitions on technical trails and helps maintain optimal cadence across changing gradients.

Compatibility

Cranksets: Shimano e-bike-specific cranks (custom spline interface)
Chainring mount: Direct mount
Drivetrain: Works with Shimano 12-speed LinkGlide or Hyperglide+ drivetrains
Display options: Shimano display units (SC-EM800, EN600), third-party compatible
Batteries: 504 Wh, 630 Wh internal or external Shimano batteries; 3rd-party via CAN
Frames: Requires custom frame integration (OEM only)

Ride Feel & Integration

Shimano has long been known for prioritizing natural ride feel, and EP801 continues that tradition. Instead of overpowering the rider with sudden surges of torque, it delivers a more measured and proportional response that closely follows cadence and pedal pressure.

Key Ride Traits

Low noise – One of the quietest motors in its class, especially at low speeds
Smooth assist ramp-up – Minimal lag, predictable support, especially out of corners
Responsive at low cadence – Improves traction in techy, slow-speed terrain
Customizable behavior – Via the app, users can tune the motor for trail efficiency or climbing punch

In testing and rider feedback, EP801 is often compared favorably to Bosch’s CX in terms of subtlety and feel, even if Bosch retains a slight edge in raw climbing torque. For riders who prefer a more “bike-like” experience with nuanced assist, EP801 hits a sweet spot.

Notable Implementations

Orbea Rise H & M series – Lightweight trail e-MTBs tuned with reduced EP801 output for extended range and natural feel
Yeti 160E – Race-oriented enduro platform featuring EP801 and Di2 integration for aggressive descending and efficient climbing
Pivot Shuttle AM & SL – High-performance all-mountain builds leveraging EP801’s refined torque management and weight savings
Norco Sight VLT & Range VLT – Big-travel e-MTBs using EP801 with Shimano batteries for integrated trail/enduro versatility
Mondraker Crafty Carbon – Enduro e-MTB using the EP801 to deliver a responsive yet efficient ride feel

Related Terms

References

Shimano EP801 Technical Manual (2022)
Shimano E-Tube Project Documentation
Orbea Rise EP801 Product Integration
Yeti 160E Launch Materials
Pivot Shuttle Series Overview
Pinkbike: EP801 Field Test
BikeRadar: First Ride – Shimano EP801
Norco Sight VLT Tech Overview
Shimano Di2 and Free Shift Explainers