Rotor Bike Components, a company that originated in Spain and specialises in high-quality bicycle components, are known for their innovative designs and engineering solutions. With decades of experience in the professional biking industry producing crank sets, power meters, chainrings, bottom brackets and more, the company is now adapting their designs to suit e-bikes.
Anton Nijhuis, Head of Rotor’s OEM Sales, explains, “Improving performance and offering reliability is what our company strives on, so it seemed a logical step for us to take, especially considering that e-bikes require technology that will endure, and this is where Rotor believes it offers added value.”
Collaborative business model
At the core of Rotor’s components is their desire to help improve the performance of the bike brands they work with and often this means collaborating with them to co-develop parts that need improving.
For example, the company’s ETOR drive came about through a collaboration between Rotor Bike Components and Fazua, a German e-bike drive system manufacturer. It was designed to withstand high loads and ensure a higher performance of the torque transmission interface; a much-needed upgrade to the mainstream interface ISIS, which is made of heavy steel.
Nijhuis explains, “ISIS had not been revised since 2001, so with adjustments to its size and the material we were using, like replacing it with an aluminium spindle to cater for its high torque transmission and other challenges found in category 5 bikes, we were able to make big improvements in performance.”
The light alloy spindle helps to increase the drive-train’s lifespan, and is therefore seeing an increase in interest from the market. In fact, its streamlined design also simplifies quality control because it allows for different parts to be used with it.
Royalty free licensing
The company prides itself on the fact that it collaborates with companies on various interfaces and has even offered partners their ETOR design under a royalty free licensing agreement. This allows the brands that Rotor works with to upgrade their bikes using the latest high-performance solutions. In fact, the aim is for ETOR to be a go-to solution that is easily integrated into all new bike motors, and the process is simple. Axel, crank and e-bike motor manufacturers can access the technology within a few clicks on their ETOR Drive website. Following a few simple steps, they can be granted a license to use the ETOR technology.
Sustainable production
In addition to making their designs accessible to all and improving the overall cycling experience and industry standards, Rotor is also committed to reducing its carbon footprint. Despite the supply chain issues of 2022 causing many companies to relocate production closer to home, Rotor has always maintained their European production facilities in Spain, which has enabled them to offer their OEM customers products with substantially minimised environmental impact.
The company integrates eco-conscious practices throughout its production processes from utilizing recycled materials in component manufacturing and packaging to implementing energy-efficient technologies in its facilities. By fostering local partnerships and sourcing materials responsibly, Rotor contributes to the economic and environmental well-being of the planet while delivering high-quality cycling products. Additionally, many of Rotors product line include modular parts that can easily be swapped out. This means that Rotor’s OEMs can get lasting quality at an affordable price which is easy to manufacture.
So, when it comes to improving industry standards, Rotor is at the forefront of the e-bike revolution. They have ensured that their licensing agreement is easily accessible, and not only care about creating high-quality sustainable solutions for cyclists, but they also care about giving the industry a boost as a whole.
This article is sponsored by Rotor.
