PALENCIA, Spain - Mahle SmartBike Systems has unveiled XS, its latest e-bike integration system aimed at delivering 'unprecedented freedom' in bicycle design. The XS system was created to simplify the integration process for bike manufacturers and features downsized components that reduce its environmental impact.
OSAKA, Japan - To hit back on e-bike drive system suppliers who overshadow Shimano's leading market position, the component manufacturer will start mass production of its AI-integrated drive train system Q'Auto. Launched as a concept at Eurobike 2023, the first bikes featuring this system will be on the market soon. CEO Yozo Shimano explains the business decision to take this step forward.
SUZHOU, China - The Z series launched by Vinka at this year's Eurobike is a new generation mid-motor system. The newest model in the series, the Z60, unlike previous products in the S, C, V and E lines, is compatible to fix to a Bosch bottom bracket. Besides the latest innovations, the motor manufacturer is also eyeing a move to close-to-market production.
DONGGUAN, China - Drive train manufacturer Gobao is expanding its business on the European e-bike market from its base in Germany. Gobao Electronic Technology GmbH was founded already in 2019 and is now hiring local representatives in various other countries. "We wanted to make a soft start to get a good understanding of the market," Gobao chairman Qingfu Chen told Bike Europe.
FRANKFURT, Germany - A sign of more advanced technology entering the e-bike market was Star Union's magnetic gear motor at this year's Eurobike. The motor uses magnetic force instead of mechanical force to offer maximum efficiency of 90%. The prototype displayed is being targeted for mass production in Q2 2025.
MÜHLHAUSEN, Germany - At this year's Eurobike, Karlheinz 'Kalle' Nicolai celebrated a premiere with his first own e-drivetrain brand. With the Helius-Drive Systems brand under the umbrella of his company Universal Transmissions GmbH (UT), the two-wheeler visionary is once again thinking outside the box.
Many bicycle experts believe that automatic shifting will be the next major technological revolution in cycling. Taiwanese component specialist TRP and German e-bike expert Bosch eBike Systems are making it happen. At Eurobike, they will present the TRP x Bosch eShift system to the world for the first time.
FRANKFURT, Germany - ZF Group will present its new 48-volt drive system for e-bikes for the first time at Eurobike. Including all components of the 'ZF Bike Eco System', the core component is the ZF 'Centrix' drive unit with an ultra-compact, 90 Newton meter mid-motor. Raymon Bicycles is a launch partner with an e-MTB specified with the drive system expected in spring 2025.
OLI eBike Systems is responding to the rapid evolution in electric mobility. Under the new leadership of CEO Giorgio Gavioli, the company is strategically focused on innovation and market needs analysis to create products that meet users' demands. This includes their latest development: the PICO drive unit.
Over the last few years, the international Timyo Group and its brands, Van Dijck, Keola and Muon, have gained a notable presence in the market. One reason for this impressive development is their innovative Kreutzer HyperShift drive unit, which will become even better in the future, as Timyo-CEO Steve Zhu said in an interview during the recent Velofollies show in Belgium. He also revealed that the company has big plans for its business structure.
STUTTGART, Germany - BH Bikes from Spain will be the first to be supplied with the new SEG Automotive e-bike systems. SEG Automotive is one of those big players from the automotive industry that not many people are familiar with. They supply virtually all major car manufacturers and power over 300 million vehicles on the road today with their e-machines.
CHATELLERAULT, France - For 2024 the French automotive and e-bike supplier Valeo projects to manufacture 500 drive units per week, or 25,000 for the whole year. For the next 3 years, Valeo expects to scale the production volumes very quickly.
In a competitive market, drive system manufacturers have focused on various strategies during 2023. Development has focused on both an optimal riding experience and integrated technologies. After electrification, connectivity is the new standard for high-end and mid-range e-bikes, meaning a new generation of smart mobility devices are being created. Also an increasing average retail price and rising e-bike thefts have given a boost to the market of digital anti-theft devices. In this online magazine the latest innovations are explored.
In recent years, e-bike manufacturers faced a tradeoff: whether to adopt powerful yet heavy motors or lightweight and low-performing ones. Until now, these two options were considered mutually exclusive, however, a new drive unit could change the game.
TAMPERE, Finland - Manufacturer of the Revonte One e-bike drive system with integrated, automatic stepless transmission filed for bankruptcy at the end of September. After successfully starting the production of the system and making the first customer deliveries, the company was not able to secure further funding in a very difficult market situation.
CHICAGO, USA - The long expected official statement by SRAM on the introduction of an e-bike dive system came in today. Remarkably and without giving any explanation, SRAM writes that the drive unit is powered by Brose.
EDINBURGH, Scotland - Since displaying at Eurobike in 2021, Intra Drive has focused on building a European supply chain and industrialising its e-bike motor unit with multi speed gearbox. Now to support bringing its 8-speed integrated drive unit to market, the B2B company has launched an equity crowdfunding campaign.
KASHIWARA CITY, Japan - The cooperation with former Flyer maker Biketec in Switzerland gave e-bike drivetrain pioneer Panasonic Cycle Technology Co., Ltd. (PCT) an early presence on the European market. Bike Europe got a unique insight into the PCT headoffice and factory near Osaka. Why were the Japanese not so successful in Europe with their extremely reliable drivetrain during the e-bike boom?
SEOUL, South Korea - HL Mando has introduced a high-performance battery, motor and rear wheel sensor system, to complete its alternator driven e-bike system. According to HL Mando the system is mainly engineered for eCargo applications.
SHANGHAI, China - E-bike drive system manufacturer Ananda is currently stepping up its activities in Europe which will result in the opening of a fully automatic production facility in Hungary. "We want to improve the supply chain with production in Europe," Ananda president Daniel Zhuo told Bike Europe.
DENKENDORF, Germany - Gearbox specialist Pinion has developed a new product bringing together the motor and gearshift in one unit. "The Pinion MGU is the e-bike technology of the next generation," the company states prior to the launch at Eurobike. MGUs are available in the Pinion E-Line, as E1.12 and E1.9 versions and as E-Speed versions E1.12S and E1.9S.
