The German company TQ, which produces some of the quietest and lightest e-bike motors available, recently made significant progress once more. The business has unveiled the HPR40, which is now the lightest and most efficient mid-drive motor in the world, just a few weeks after launching the lightweight HPR60 e-bike drive system.
Designed specifically for road and gravel e-bikes, the HPR40 weighs only 1.17 kg (2.6 lb). This indicates that the weight of the old HPR60, which weighed 1.92 kg (4.2 lb), has been cut in half.
It is perfect for riders who prefer mild assistance over force since, despite its tiny size, it still produces a solid 40 Nm of torque and up to 200 W of peak power. Efficiency and smooth integration are more important here than raw power.
Expect to see it on more expensive dirt and road e-bikes where riders want a slight boost rather than a big burst, but don’t expect to see it on the next 750W Lectric or Aventon.
TQ created the HPR40 from the ground up for lighter frames, with the goal of being almost undetectable on a bike’s bottom bracket and with controls concealed under the handlebar, in contrast to motors that have been rebadged from their original use on commuters or mountain bikes. As a result, the drive system offers performance without adding bulk and disappears into the bike like a whisper.
TQ’s Harmonic Pin-Ring Transmission, a sophisticated powertrain that has been developed to reside entirely inside a bike in lieu of the bottom bracket, is the central component of the HPR motor. This ingenious design allows the motor to engage instantaneously with minimal lag, eliminates noisy gears, and lowers friction. Although that may sound similar to many of the mid-drives that we frequently see from manufacturers like Bosch, TQ’s is so tiny and intricately integrated that it is hardly perceptible to the untrained eye.
The 290 Wh battery that powers the HPR40 is concealed under the downtube and weighs only 1.46 kg (3.2 lb). To keep the whole system weight under 2.7 kg (6 lbs), a 160 Wh range extender the size of a water bottle is also available. Among the lightest fully integrated e-bike systems available is that one.
A sleek end-cap LED display keeps necessities visible without detracting from aesthetics, and control is provided by a hidden handlebar remote concealed inside the handlebar tape. TQ’s motto, “get out of the rider’s way“, is reinforced by this simple interface. Or “it’s almost as if the company is daring riders to start a fresh round of mechanical doping scandals,” as New Atlas put it in a hilarious way.
In addition to being a snazzy new drive system at a show stand, TQ’s HPR40 is already integrated into the new Canyon Endurace:ONFly, a sub-10-kilogramme (22 lb) e-road bike that weighs only 9.9 kg. The Endurrace By combining Canyon’s aerodynamic skill and TQ’s whisper-soft assist, ONFly gives riders an analogue-feeling yet electric bike.
With a little 200 W boost, cyclists may double their pedalling output thanks to the HPR40’s excellent torque density. Better climbs, longer rides, and a more natural bike feel are all possible without sacrificing any of the benefits of heavier systems. The effect is similar to having a tandem rider assist, but he only weighs six pounds. This is because many riders are capable of producing about 200 W of continuous power on their own.
The action demonstrates that not all drive manufacturers are only interested in horsepower and torque. Instead, TQ is demonstrating that electric assistance doesn’t have to shout by combining minimal weight, noticeable yet natural power, and exquisite style. It has the ability to whisper.