E-MTB motor protection and covers

How to protect your electric mountain bike motor

The motor is the most expensive part of the bike and the lowest: it takes the full force of rocks, tree stumps and stream crossings. Two types of product protect it, and they are chosen in very different ways.

AVS skid plates, selected by bike model

• These are custom-fit protective plates, cut to fit a specific frame and model year: Cube Stereo Hybrid, Orbea Wild, Lapierre GLP, Moustache Samedi, Mondraker Crafty, Scott eRide, Focus Jam, Commencal Meta Power.
• Compatibility is determined by the bike model and model year, not the motor brand: the same motor fits differently from one frame to another.
• The skid plate covers the underside of the motor and often the lower part of the frame. Depending on the model, it mounts to the original fixing points or with clamps.

Shimano motor unit covers

• These are the original covers for the EP8 and STEPS motor units: DC-EP800, DC-EP801, SM-DUE70 and SM-DUE80.
• They come in several versions — external mounting (-A), covered (-B), low (-G), standard or wide. The final letter does not indicate a colour: it identifies the mounting type.
• Replace them when the cover is cracked, scratched through to the underlying material, or when a screw has pulled out its insert.

You can use both together

The Shimano cover closes off the motor casing and protects it from water and dust: it is part of the motor. The AVS skid plate takes the impacts over the top: it is a wear part that you replace after a few seasons once it shows damage. On an enduro electric mountain bike, both have a role to play.

To find out more: How to choose your e-bike accessories

See also: Electric mountain bike crank arms · Electric mountain bike chainrings · Electric mountain bike tools