2023-09-10 11:49:00
To see what’s new in terms of cycling, Eurobike in Frankfurt is “the place to be”. This summer, one of the strong attractions was the presentation of the Orbit drive. A revolutionary system that integrates almost everything in one. We forget regarding chain or belt, to make way for a system of speeds integrated into a single engine block. The inspiration comes from the world of hybrid automobiles which couple the powers provided by the combustion engine and the electric motor using gears. By reworking this concept, the Driven brand has created a spherical mechanism with variable speed, all compact enough to integrate it into the crankset. We are talking regarding 4.6kg which, according to the manufacturer, gains in resistance over time and above all requires little maintenance. The American brand mentions 15,000 km without maintenance. Good news for users who today face charges approximately every 3,000 km. The Orbit Drive is therefore a well-protected block which is located in the crankset and a rod which activates a pinion on the rear wheel. The gear shifting system is done automatically or manually. The Orbit Drive has two motors. The main motor provides the torque, up to 90 Nm, and a secondary motor adjusts the speed. An innovation that will revolutionize the world of equipment manufacturers. What regarding Shimano, Bosch or even Bafang and other manufacturers of systems linked to an electric motor. They will have to get to work to provide an answer to Driven. Optimization is there. The firm explains that it is up to 85% more efficient in its use of energy than the electric motors currently used on the market, also integrating an energy recovery function. In other words, this system might significantly improve the autonomy of bicycles electrically assisted (around 20%), or allow them to take on board batteries of less capacity with equal autonomy. On the practical side, don’t worry, we are on a classic pedaling system, the same sensations as on a current VAE.
Orbit Drive, the Driven system that will change the design of electric bikes.
“We use an algorithm. We get to know mechanically the torque put into the system by the cyclist and we can calculate the speed. In around twenty milliseconds, we adapt the necessary power almost imperceptibly. This reduces the cost of the system, avoids the use of an additional sensor and is extremely reliable. Here once more, it’s something that manufacturers do all the time, but not yet in cycling,” explains a Driven manager.
This system is regarding to be implemented on all types of bikes, from urban electric to VTTAE including gravel bikes. Great innovative promise in a world where electric bikes have remained on traditional systems for many years and which, with the arrival of Orbit Drive, risks having to question itself. The big winner will in any case be the cyclist since the American firm announces an entry level around 800 euros and reaching 1,500 euros for high-end. Hopefully this will become a mechanism that will be the norm in a few years for the greater comfort of users.
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