The new Bosch Performance Line CX-R on the Orbea Wild

Basically, I'm not a fan of "faster, higher, further," and despite all my openness and love for technology, I've always been accompanied by a certain skepticism whenever proven mechanics are supplemented or replaced by electronics. Or when, as is currently the case, the race for wattage and torque threatens to lose focus on what really matters.

All the more impressed am I when relatively conservative and steady companies like Bosch bring innovations to the market that not only look good on paper with superlatives but also offer real added value on the trail and the bike.
This short test is, on the one hand, about the new Bosch CX-R motor, which, with increased performance and reduced weight, is the heart of the Orbea Wild; and on the other hand, about the Magura ABS brakes and the new control system of the TRP automatic transmission, both of which are now more than just a fun gimmick and, for me as a programmer, also a prime example of what ongoing software development and optimization can achieve.

Because much of what works so seamlessly and inconspicuously involves incredibly complex development work, which is not always as immediately apparent as, for example, a smaller and improved motor housing.

Only when you have the opportunity to compare several generations of software does it become evident to what extent research and development are also being carried out on this front with modern bikes.

At least all users of the Bosch Performance Line CX (Gen5) motors can experience this direct comparison themselves. With the update to version 1.28 on July 14th, all motors receive a power boost to 100 Nm maximum torque and up to 750 watts of power. The maximum support is increased from 340% to 400%.
Additionally, there’s an eMTB+ mode for the older 4th generation motors, which gives the bike significantly more punch over short distances (up to 2 m) and depending on the initial push, also provides corresponding follow-through to overcome even the most challenging obstacles uphill.

Personally, I find the software optimizations in the shifting and braking areas just as exciting. The developers have done an excellent job here as well. But more on that after the technical facts of our test bike.

Even after the first few meters of ascent and descent on the trail, it’s clear that the new automatic mode, or M+ mode, is my personal highlight.
I had the opportunity to test the Bosch eShift with the TRP A12 last fall, where the auto mode already worked reasonably well in principle (Bosch Performance Line CX Gen5 Review).

However, the new software version offers an entirely new experience. The Rolling Shift works simply fantastically—so well that I already miss it on all my bikes.
Imagine always being in the right gear after every coasting phase, whether you’re accelerating out of a slow corner downhill or braking from a fast downhill into slow technical terrain. The drivetrain beneath you keeps spinning, and the gears shift almost imperceptibly.
On my home trail, there are sections where you suddenly cross a stream after a steep downhill, and you usually have to shift very quickly to avoid stalling the drivetrain. On the Orbea Wild with the Bosch-TRP semi-automatic, I had to chuckle because it was immediately clear with the first uphill pedal stroke that the gear, as if by magic, was perfectly set.

For the rest of the ride, I tried to complete it entirely in automatic mode, letting the electronics decide based on my preset cadence—and what can I say? It worked significantly better for me than it did a few months ago.
The gear selection is correct 90% of the time, with issues only arising on abrupt climbs, where rapidly decreasing cadence and quickly increasing pedal force intersect. Here, the automatic mode isn’t fast enough to shift up. However, the manual override now feels like it’s tolerated longer by the automatic system, so after a manual shift, you generally stay in the chosen gear until your cadence drastically falls out of the RPM range again.
Overall, I would say: On a touring bike, the automatic mode is fast and reliable enough that you never need to reach for the shift lever. On an MTB in rough terrain, occasional corrections are necessary.

By the way, the new automatic system is now available not only for TRP E.A.S.I. A12/A11/A10 drivetrains but also for many Shimano Di2 drivetrains, enviolo, Rohloff E-12, and Classified Powershift.

In addition to the ergonomically advanced Mini Remote, the Orbea Wild is equipped with Bosch's latest main unit, the Kiox 400C, which for the first time offers a 2” display integrated into the top tube.
Here too, the Germans don’t do things by halves: The display is super easy to read and can be operated in the tried-and-tested manner with the Mini Remote. If, despite all warnings, the battery of the wireless remote runs out, the riding modes can also be controlled using the two buttons on the display.
At the top edge of the display, there is a USB-C port to charge devices such as a Garmin GPS or a smartphone while riding. The menus are essentially self-explanatory and, in addition to displaying key riding data, also allow ABS, automatic shifting, and various settings to be adjusted directly via the menus. Furthermore, as with previous models, Bluetooth heart rate monitors can also be connected to the Kiox.

Thanks to its sleek integration into the stem, its discreet appearance, and its intuitive operation, I currently find the Kiox 400C with the Mini Remote to be one of the most visually and technically appealing systems on the market.

A bit of time has passed since NoPain's wild braking maneuvers on the step-through bike. My last ABS rides were also some time ago, and I imagine that the software control has since improved and been significantly refined.
Our last test bike, for example, still had speed sensors on the rear brake disc rotor, whereas this sensor is no longer necessary on the Orbea.

The theory behind all the possibilities is one thing. But what really convinced me this time was the riding behavior on the trail. Never before have I had a bike where the ABS performed so perfectly and inconspicuously.
When you fully brake at 30 km/h on loose, soft trails covered with pine needles and stones in front of a steep slope, and the brake decelerates maximally without ever locking, it's truly impressive. Especially because you inevitably brake with the expectation of either sliding out at the front or having a longer braking distance.

In really steep, slippery terrain, where you wouldn't be able to come to a stop with just one brake even without ABS, the Magura MT7 does its best without locking up. You do keep gaining speed, but the front tire never locks, allowing the rear brake to unleash its full potential.
All of this works very discreetly in the ABS Race mode and is never disturbing, but in extreme situations, it's quite helpful. Thanks to sophisticated software, even locking and rear-wheel skidding in tight switchbacks is no problem.

Until now, I was always skeptical about the benefits of ABS on trail bikes. But the Orbea Wild with Bosch ABS Pro is, for me personally, a real milestone because the system is barely noticeable—until the moment when, on a non-ABS bike, you would have already started sliding or would have given in to the impending skid at the brake lever.

Last but not least, we come to the heart of the Orbea Wild. The new CX-R stands out primarily due to its improved power-to-weight ratio. The CX-R delivers a maximum of 750 W and 100 Nm according to the data sheet, with 400% support and a weight of 2.7 kg.
Durability is also a key aspect to deliver the performance that professionals expect. Bosch has equipped the lighter magnesium housing of the CX-R with a titanium crankshaft and ceramic bearings. In addition to the eMTB+ mode, the Race mode is particularly noteworthy, as it defines the CX-R and provides maximum thrust (and overrun).

In practice, the first thing I notice is the smoothness of the motor. When oiling the chain, it can be turned somewhat more easily than a motorless drivetrain (since only the chainring rotates instead of the crank). Gone are the days when you had to pull hard on the chain to oil or wax the drivetrain.
Now, it’s only the CX-R motor itself that pulls strongly on demand. The performance boost compared to previous motors is most noticeable when riding with a colleague who still has a Gen4 motor.

The CX-R packs a serious punch, which becomes especially clear in Race mode and its somewhat unconventional overrun behavior. Even experienced riders should approach this mode with caution and always keep in mind that the motor kick might persist, particularly on very steep terrain.
Personally, I prefer the eMTB+ mode and those below it, where the balance between personal effort and motor power is still somewhat maintained—but of course, this strongly depends on the riding profile.

In general, I now find the control extremely sensitive (1,000 measurements per second ensure this). The starting assistance and modulation in the less aggressive modes are especially impressive, and for those who need it, the Race mode offers maximum acceleration and maximum power for extended periods.
The best part is that many of the software improvements already standard on the CX-R can be implemented for existing CX motors via a simple firmware update, ensuring that the broader audience, including sporty riders, continues to be well served.

The big picture is not just the sum of its parts but, in the case of the Orbea Wild, above all the interaction of these components. This best-of-Bosch bike demonstrates what is already technically possible today when top hardware meets equally sophisticated and optimized software.
When initial gimmicks like an automatic shifter suddenly become features you sorely miss on all other bikes, thanks to Rolling Shift, it’s a strong indication that the direction things are moving in is a good one.

The software development is, in general, my highlight of this short test because the ABS now feels so solid on an enduro bike that it can no longer be dismissed as just a safety feature for touring bikers. The ABS Pro integration also offers genuine added value on the trail.

The Performance Line CX-R motor is a clear statement to those manufacturers trying to outdo each other with current performance superlatives. At the same time, Bosch doesn’t lose focus and, in my opinion, scores mainly with the well-rounded, coherent overall package.
This concerns, on the one hand, the almost seamless further development and support of existing products, the reputable market presence with a large dealer network, and good spare parts supply. On the other hand, it also includes compatibility between components and the possibilities the smart system offers end customers as well as manufacturers—from the choice of displays to control options (remote, controller) to the integration of various devices.