Electric-assist bikes are rapidly gaining in popularity, so it’s no surprise that Shimano has decided to launch its own electric system. Already a leader in drivetrains for all types and price ranges of bikes, Shimano now offers a complete system called STEPS, which stands for Shimano Total Electric Power System. The STEPS system is made up of four elements: 1) the motor, 2) the battery, 3) the drivetrain, 4) the onboard computer.
The Devinci E-Griffin equipped with the Shimano STEPS system
The Shimano STEPS E6000 motor
Shimano chose to position its motor at the crankset to keep the center of gravity as low as possible and avoid affecting the bike’s handling. At 3.2 kilos, the Shimano motor is considered particularly light, which once again contributes to the fun of riding the STEPS system. The system can deliver up to 50 Nm of torque to provide a high level of assistance when needed. In addition to pedal assist, the STEPS system offers a walk-assist mode if you ever need to walk alongside your bike.
Shimano STEPS e6000 36 V lithium-ion battery
For an electric system to work well, it needs a good battery. Fortunately, Shimano didn’t underestimate this and with the STEPS e6000 offers a capacity of 418 Wh (36 V, 11.6 Ah) with a lifespan of over 1,000 charge cycles without significant power loss. On the Devinci E-Griffin, the battery is mounted on a quality rear rack and, because it’s so slim, it fits inside the rack, so you can still use panniers when needed.
The Shimano STEPS crankset
Naturally, Shimano draws on all its component expertise to offer a high-quality electric system. The crankset used in the STEPS system has a single chainring with an integrated chain guard to protect your pants if you commute by bike, and is available with 38 or 44 teeth. The Devinci E-Griffin comes equipped with an Alivio derailleur, resulting in a quiet and very pleasant system to use.
The Shimano STEPS SC‑e6010 display unit
The first thing you’ll notice is that the onboard computer uses a high-contrast screen to display information, making it easy to read even in bright sunlight. The computer’s features are quite complete, with all the options you’d expect, such as speed, distance and battery range. Speaking of battery life, the STEPS system has a range of 60 km on the highest assist level, 85 km in normal mode and 125 km in eco mode. The control lever is very simple to use. The compact unit blends into the cockpit and the buttons are ideally sized and easy to operate.
