App Update — v1.34
When Bosch eBike Systems releases a software update, it isn't patching bugs — it's fundamentally expanding what your electric bike can do. With firmware v1.34, Bosch has simultaneously pushed the Smart System forward on four distinct fronts: performance analytics for mountain bikers, health tracking for fitness-focused riders, navigation automation for commuters, and hardware improvements for anyone using their smartphone as a cockpit display.
For Canadian cyclists riding everything from the North Shore trails in Vancouver to the Gatineau Park paths outside Ottawa or the rail trails of Ontario, these changes are meaningful, real-world upgrades. At Scooteretti — Canada's premier electric bicycle retailer — we've studied each new feature in depth. Here is our complete technical breakdown.
1. Trick Check: Automatic Trail Skill Tracking for Mountain Bikers
What it does
Trick Check is a genuinely novel addition to any eBike platform: the Smart System's onboard sensors now automatically detect and classify four trick types — jumps, wheelies, manuals, and stoppies — with no rider input required. The moment a trick is completed, the relevant metric is captured and displayed on your compatible Bosch display for eight seconds, confirmed by an audible signal. Data syncs to the eBike Flow App so you can review session history, track personal bests, and compare stats across rides.
| Trick Type | Metric Captured |
|---|---|
| Jump | Height & distance |
| Wheelie | Duration |
| Manual | Duration |
| Stoppie | Angle |
Compatible displays
Trick Check requires one of the following: Kiox 300, Kiox 400C, Kiox 500, Purion 200, or Purion 400, paired with a compatible Smart System drive unit.
Why it matters for Canadian riders
Canada's trail network — from Whistler Bike Park in BC to Hardwood Ski and Bike in Ontario — demands skill. Trick Check turns every session into quantified progress data. Athletes and trail enthusiasts can now track skill development across a full season with the same rigour they'd apply to power and fitness metrics. Personal bests now come with verifiable receipts.
2. Heart Rate Monitor Integration: Real Training Data on Every Ride
What it does
Version 1.34 brings heart-rate data meaningfully into post-ride analytics. After a ride you can now review your average heart rate and a detailed heart rate progression graph within the eBike Flow App's ride statistics screen. This lets you cross-reference effort zones against elevation, assist level, and speed data that the system already logs. Any Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) heart rate monitor — including products from Garmin, Polar, and Wahoo — is compatible.
Compatible hardware
Live heart rate widget: Kiox 300 and Kiox 500. Post-ride analytics: all Smart System configurations with a paired Bluetooth HR monitor.
3. Favorites Navigation: Smarter Route Access, Zero Friction
What it does
Riders can now save frequently used destinations and routes as Favorites within the eBike Flow App. Up to three of those saved routes can be designated as Quick Menu shortcuts directly accessible from the Kiox 300, Kiox 400C, or Kiox 500 display — no phone interaction required once you're rolling.
This integrates with Bosch's AI-based battery management: when you select a saved favourite route, the system already knows the elevation profile and your typical riding behaviour for that corridor, producing a significantly more accurate range estimate at your destination before you've turned a pedal.
Why it matters for Canadian commuters
For riders with fixed routes — home to the office, the GO Train station, a favourite trailhead — Favorites eliminates the daily friction of re-entering a destination. In Canadian winter conditions, launching navigation from a display button while wearing gloves is a genuine quality-of-life improvement that adds up quickly.
4. eShift Expansion: Mechanical Gears Now Fully Supported
What it does
Bosch's eShift system — which coordinates automatic motor-power reduction during gear changes to protect the drivetrain and produce seamless shifts — now supports the Gearsensor GS solution, enabling compatibility with traditional mechanical hub gears and derailleur systems.
When the Gearsensor detects a shift, it signals the drive unit to briefly reduce torque output at precisely the right moment. The result is the smooth, wear-minimizing shift that eShift users with Shimano Di2 or TRP electronic drivetrains already enjoy — now available on any bike equipped with conventional mechanical gearing.
Why this is a big deal
The vast majority of trekking, city, and commuter eBikes sold in Canada are equipped with mechanical hub gears (Shimano Nexus / Alfine) or standard derailleur systems. Bringing eShift to these platforms dramatically widens the number of riders who benefit from automatic shift optimization. If you already own a Bosch Smart System eBike with mechanical gearing, this is a free software-enabled upgrade — no hardware swap required.
5. Theft Protection: Mark Your eBike and Battery as Stolen
The eBike Flow App now lets you digitally flag your eBike — or its PowerTube battery as an independent component — as stolen. Once marked, the flag is visible within the Bosch network, improving the probability of recovery if the bike or component surfaces with another user or at a service centre. In Canadian cities where eBike theft is a growing concern, this feature adds a meaningful layer of traceability alongside physical security measures.
New Hardware: SmartphoneGrip Vertical — Portrait Mode for Your Cockpit
Alongside the software update, Bosch has introduced the SmartphoneGrip Vertical — a portrait-orientation mount that positions your smartphone vertically on the handlebar. Unlike the standard SmartphoneGrip, which holds phones in landscape orientation, portrait mode shows significantly more of the road or trail ahead while navigating, reducing the need to glance down repeatedly.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Phone size range | 135–170 mm tall × 68–80 mm wide × 7–12 mm thick |
| Maximum device weight | 260 g (including case) |
| Charging | Inductive (Qi) wireless or USB-C, powered by eBike battery |
| Security | Two independent clamps for vibration resistance |
| Surface material | Rubber-coated interior — protects device finish |
| Mount compatibility | Kiox 300, Kiox 500, and standard SmartphoneGrip mount |
| Angle adjustment | Mountable in front of, on, or beside the stem; angle adjustable |
| Button / port access | Side cutouts maintain access to physical buttons and ports |
| Incompatible devices | Foldable smartphones; flip-cover cases |
The inductive charging ensures your phone battery stays topped up on multi-hour rides without cable management clutter — critical for long touring routes like the P'tit Train du Nord in Quebec, the Kettle Valley Rail Trail in BC, or the Confederation Trail in PEI.
Full Compatibility Summary
| Feature | Required Display / Hardware | Free Update? |
|---|---|---|
| Trick Check | Kiox 300 / 400C / 500 • Purion 200 / 400 | Yes — app & firmware update |
| Heart Rate (live widget) | Kiox 300 / 500 + Bluetooth HR monitor | Yes — app update |
| Heart Rate (post-ride stats) | Any Smart System + Bluetooth HR monitor | Yes — app update |
| Favorites Navigation | Kiox 300 / 400C / 500 (Quick Menu); all displays (in app) | Yes — app update |
| eShift + Gearsensor GS | Compatible Smart System drive unit + Gearsensor hardware | Yes — firmware update |
| Theft Protection | All Smart System bikes | Yes — app update |
| SmartphoneGrip Vertical | Kiox 300 / 500 mount or SmartphoneGrip mount | No — new accessory purchase |
How to Get the v1.34 Update on Your Bosch eBike:
Open the eBike Flow App on your iOS or Android device, connect via Bluetooth to your bike's display, and navigate to My eBike → Software Update. If v1.34 is available for your configuration it will appear here. The update installs over your phone's internet connection and transfers to the bike wirelessly — no cables or dealer visit required for the app-side features.
For the eShift Gearsensor component, your dealer will need to pair and configure the sensor to your drive unit on the first install. Scooteretti's certified Bosch technicians can complete this in-store at any of our Canadian locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Bosch eBike Flow App update v1.34 free?
All software and firmware features in v1.34 are delivered as a free over-the-air update for existing Bosch Smart System owners. The SmartphoneGrip Vertical is a separate hardware accessory available for purchase.
Which Bosch drive units support Trick Check?
Trick Check is compatible with current-generation Bosch Smart System drive units paired with a Kiox 300, Kiox 400C, Kiox 500, Purion 200, or Purion 400 display. It is not available on older Performance Line CX or Active Line units from the pre-Smart System generation.
Does the SmartphoneGrip Vertical charge my phone while riding?
Yes. The SmartphoneGrip Vertical offers both inductive (Qi wireless) and USB-C wired charging, both powered directly from your eBike's battery, so your phone stays charged throughout the ride without drawing from your own power supply.
What does eShift do during a gear change?
When eShift detects an impending shift via the Gearsensor, it momentarily reduces motor torque to near-zero during the transition. This eliminates drivetrain stress at the moment of highest load, reducing wear on the chain, cassette, and derailleur — and producing a noticeably smoother shift.
Which heart rate monitors work with the Bosch Smart System?Any Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) heart rate monitor is compatible, including products from Garmin, Polar, and Wahoo, as well as most fitness-oriented chest straps and optical wrist sensors.
Is my Bosch eBike compatible with this update?
All Bosch Smart System eBikes are eligible for the v1.34 update. If you're unsure whether your specific model qualifies, contact our team at Scooteretti and we'll confirm compatibility for your exact drive unit and display combination.
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Shop Our Bosch eBikes →About this article Written by the Scooteretti product team — certified Bosch eBike Systems specialists with over a decade of experience fitting, servicing, and riding electric bicycles across Canada. Our technical content is reviewed against official Bosch documentation and updated as new firmware is released. Scooteretti is one of Canada's largest authorized Bosch eBike dealers, with certified technicians available in-store for all Smart System queries and service.
