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BionX is a Canadian maker of electric motors for bicycles. Its first motors in the early 2000s, while still named EPS (Electric Propulsion Systems) [1], were kits for retrofitting [2]. In 2008, it was acquired by Magna [3] and by then its motors had become standard parts in many ebikes. Today, bike makers in Europe and North America [4] like Trek, Matra, Wheeler, Kalkhoff, and others use BionX motors.
BionX is headquartered in Aurora, Ontario where motors are produced and assembled [5] before being sold locally or being shipped to over 15 countries. Research and development is based in Sherbrooke, Quebec [6]. The European sales and service center is located near Munich, Germany [7].
Typically, BionX motors are rear wheel motors characterized by low noise and the possibility to charge the battery during breaking or downhill riding [8].
Motors
The D series of motors is the latest and strongest BionX technology with a torque of 25/50 Nm. The motor cylinder is much larger but thinner than in previous versions and weighs 4.0 kg (8.8 lb). Before that was the S series which with 3.5 kg (7.7 lb) was lighter than the P series at the same strength. The P series motors were the first produced by Bionx. They have a torque of 9/40 Nm at a weight of 4.7 kg (10.4 lb). [9]
*Since the power specifications in Watt are different for the same motor in North America and Europe, the name varies. For example, the P-350 is usually sold as the P-250 in Europe.
Motors similar to BionX are rear hub motors by Panasonic (e.g. KTM's eRace), Alber's Xion (lately in Kalkhoff bikes), Heinzmann, and GoSwiss (e.g. in Bulls Green Mover).