Bosch Smart System FAQ
Have you heard Bosch has a new system out? It is called “The Smart System” and unlike previous releases of new Bosch products, it is entirely incompatible with the previous components, which will now be referred to as “System 2”. The Smart System officially came out in model year 2022, but is enjoying a slow rollout into the market and into the shop here. You can check out Bosch’s basic system overview to get started.
While I’m convalescing from my dislocated shoulder earlier this month, I one-handedly typed out some FAQs on the Smart System for you:
When will we see it?
The Smart System is available now! We have seen a few Multichargers from R&M in the past year or so, and it will be coming out on more models and brands in the next few months and years. As of today, there is a Riese & Muller Multicharger 750 for sale and test ride in the shop if you want to check it out! Riese & Muller also offers the Smart System on the Load4, the Multitinker, the Tinker2, and the Nevo4 - all of which are coming to the sales floor soon.
The Smart System does not yet have the variety of options that System 2 did for battery sizes, displays, and e-shift compatibility, but we expect to see those things and more in the next few years. Most notably for what we work with, the Smart System does not yet offer dual battery capability.
What’s new with the Smart System?
The big difference with the Smart System is it operates under a different Controller Area Network (CAN) protocol, with the Smart System moving to the newer CAN FD protocol, compared to the CAN bus in use in System 2. CAN is the communication process that the e-bike system uses to operate and integrate its components. CAN FD is a higher bandwidth protocol, carrying 8 times as much data, and faster (you can read more of the tech details here).
Since the way the components communicate internally has changed, there is no way for System 2 and the Smart System to be cross-compatible. To help users and mechanics not get confused, the plugs are also mechanically incompatible between the two systems. That means if you have, say, a charger and battery that have plugs that can be connected, then the electrical protocol is compatible too. Think like having the right generation of charging cable for your iphone; if the cable fits your port, then it will work!
The new faster communication means the Smart System will include new and better options for connectivity with components, and your phone. The assist levels will have more options, be more customisable, show more info about the system to the user, have greater app functionality, and raise the bar for what is possible in the future. I’m also excited about a couple changes regarding service of the new Smart System.
A couple highlights:
A New Phone App
The Smart System comes with a new phone app as well, called the eBike Flow app. Bosch has announced to expect many new features and updates coming to the app, but to start, the user has access to do much more customisation to their bike than in the System 2 app. Users with all displays will be able to see errors and download firmware updates over WiFi.
The new app also has komoot, Strava, and Apple Health connectivity options, and is now running in-app navigation services off Mapbox.
New Connectivity
Bosch’s new Flow app includes a free eBike Lock feature which allows the phone to be a digital key to lock the drive unit from working in the event of theft of the bike. The bike has to be unlocked via Bluetooth connection to a smartphone on which the owner is logged into the Flow app.
Bosch has also announced a new ConnectModule component which can be purchased and installed next to the drive unit on many bikes. The ConnectModule has motion sensors and satellite location services, as well as a warning and louder theft alarm. The ConnectModule has an onboard battery that recharges off the system battery and will last for about two weeks after the system battery has been removed.
Automatic Braking System
Bosch has also announced Automatic Braking Systems (ABS) will be coming to Smart System bikes eventually. ABS is not yet available in North America and will only be available as original equipment, so look to new bike brand announcements for when we’ll see that in the future.
New ride modes and customisability
System 2 bikes almost exclusively used the standard Eco, Tour, Sport, Turbo ride modes; however, we are expecting to see a lot more options in Smart System. Bike brands will still be in control of which modes are available, but because of the increased amount of data transfer in the Smart System, we expect to see many more options from Bosch. eMTB mode also existed for off-road riding and at the tail end of System 2, Bosch announced Tour+, but the new system already also has an Auto mode, aiming to adjust assist to maintain constant speed, as well as a Cargo specific mode we are very excited to try!
Even if the bike brand does not enable additional modes, it is possible in the Smart System to remove modes (say, if you wanted only Turbo, you could do that). It may also be possible to change them later, if say, a new mode comes out that the bike brand is willing to enable. Additionally, the rider in the Flow app can fine tune the ride modes slightly, more on that available in this video from Bosch. We’ll have to see how that really happens in practice, but it’s nice to know the modes aren’t locked in from Bosch.
New for service
With the new user app, Bosch has also announced a new dealer diagnostic tool for the Smart System. Same with the old diagnostic tool, it can be used for changing settings (now including ride modes), troubleshooting and processing warranties. This is for the bike shops not the riders, but it will hopefully expedite repair and service cases.
Other exciting updates related to service: riders will have access to the time stamped error codes on the Flow app on their phones. So if something isn’t working quite right, riders will be able to give us a call and we’ll be able to troubleshoot more over the phone with you, and also be able to better monitor if and when the issue recurs.
We’re also thrilled that the wires are now separate components. Why does this matter? On System 2 the wires were integrated so, if you, say, needed a new battery harness, or wanted a new display, the wires were built into those components and the new wire had to be run through the frame to connect to the drive unit. With separable wires, we will have to do fewer labor-intensive internal routing projects because Smart System wires only need to be replaced when it's the wire itself that is faulty. This means more modularity and lower labor costs for riders.
Can I still buy replacement components for my old bike?
Yes! Bosch guarantees to (“aftermarket”) support to customers with discontinued products for at least six years after they stop selling it to the bike brands (“OEM”). A few of the System 2 systems hit that mark of not being offered to bike manufacturers in model year 2022, meaning it is still six more years before parts for those bikes may no longer be manufactured. Some of the other System 2 components have not yet been discontinued, since it takes time for brands to redesign their frames for the Smart System, though that is likely to happen in the next few model years. While six years guaranteed may not sound like that many years, that does not mean support is going to end after six years, just that is the end of the required length of support. Bosch may continue to offer support much longer. It is also worth noting most e-bike systems have no guarantee of length of support, as the industry has seen in the past with other brands ceasing production and ending all support basically overnight.
This guaranteed support Bosch offers includes hardware and software support, though there won’t be any new features for those systems. Bosch also doesn’t guarantee exact replacement, just compatibility. For example it has been rumored the Smartphone Hub will be be discontinued out of System 2, so if that is true, once those are gone, users replacing System 2 Smartphone Hubs would have to switch to a different display.
We will continue to keep our System 2 diagnostic kit and inventory of the regularly needed replacement parts, though over the years more System 2 components may become special orders. We are more than happy to help guide on what the appropriate replacement parts are for your bike, either in person, or by email.
Any more questions? Let us know or drop by to check it out!