Discovered at Cycle Week: the automatic machine among e-bikes
French sporting goods giant Decathlon presented its latest development at Cycle Week in Zurich. It is an e-bike with a gearbox that shifts gears automatically. The bike is due to be launched on the market this summer.
No more gear changes. That's what the sporting goods manufacturer Decathlon thought and developed an e-bike that does this automatically. The French company presented the prototype at this year's "Cycle Week" in Zurich. Switzerland's largest bike fair runs until 14 May.
Automatic transmission instead of gears
The bike with the somewhat unwieldy name "LD 920 E" was developed in cooperation with the Belgian tech company E2 Drives. According to Decathlon, the continuously variable geared motor technology is designed to completely eliminate manual gear changes. The bike recognises the resistance and shifts gears accordingly in real time. The display can also be used to select different modes such as Eco, Tour or Power, similar to standard e-bike models. Depending on the type of use, the effective level of assistance and the other usual parameters (type of terrain, size of the cyclist, weather, tyre pressure), the LD 920 E should have a range of 70 to 150 kilometres.
The cyclist can also select the desired revolutions per minute (RPM) independently, the bike then searches for the appropriate gears. This can be controlled via a small control element on the handlebars. The current range here is from 40 to 90 crank revolutions. If you wish, you can still shift gears manually using this control element. A GPS sensor is also installed in the bike's gearbox, which indicates the position of the bike in the event of theft.
Source: Patrick Bardelli
I was able to familiarise myself with the new e-bike during a first short test ride on Zurich's Europaallee. My first impression: it works. Even on particularly challenging sections, such as the steep ramp of an underground car park, the motor located in the crankset requires no intervention whatsoever. The LD 920 E is produced in Lille, it is due to be launched on the European market in August and costs around 3000 euros. Decathlon also plans to offer mountain bikes and racing bikes with the continuously variable geared motor technology in its range in two years' time.
Cover photo: Patrick Bardelli
From radio journalist to product tester and storyteller, jogger to gravel bike novice and fitness enthusiast with barbells and dumbbells. I'm excited to see where the journey'll take me next.