Technology Archives

Pässilä Bicycles and Revonte Lead the Way in the EMTB Category

Jukka Mäennenä on 2023-02-20

If you’ve been following our social media feeds, you surely have seen photos of the eye-catching Pässilä Bicycles EMTB prototype. The bike is very special in more than one way, and we’re quite confident in saying that it’s showing the direction the whole industry is moving in the near future.

Read further to learn more!

A New Take

Pässilä Bicycles hails from Finland and has quickly established its position in the market with its titanium frames. In addition to offering frames made of highly-sought after material, they are surfing on top of the wave when it comes to geometry and general design.

The Revonte ONE Drive System is the most versatile e-bike drive system in the market with its capability to cater for the needs of all types of e-bikes, from a commuter to heavy-duty cargo e-bikes. Partnering up with Pässilä Bicycles provided an opportunity to fine-tune our system for the unique needs posed by modern EMTB riding.

Unique Design

The sleek, and fast-looking silhouette of the Pässilä Bicycles X Revonte ONE bike turns heads wherever it goes. The classic look given by the sleek, but still supremely strong titanium tubing combined with the Revonte ONE Drive System with its simple & robust single-speed drivetrain creates a combination that the bicycle world hasn’t yet seen.

Looks are one thing – and an important one – but ride qualities and handling are what matter the most when tires hit the trail. Pässilä Bicycles have been at the forefront of modern mountain bike geometry, and the prototype seen here follows the design philosophy; stable at speed, but still easy to manoeuvre. These factors combined with the low-maintenance drivetrain create a bike that’s fun to ride – possibly more fun than anything else out there!

Besides modern frame geometry, the has been kitted with unique features that make the setup and use a breeze. Adjustable dropouts, compatibility with chain or belt drive, ample battery size and easy access are just some of the more apparent design considerations.

Ride Experience Like No Other

The automatic & stepless gearing found in the Revonte ONE Drive System comes to full fruition when hitting the trails! The simplicity of being in the “right” gear all the time without the need for frequent shifter use is liberating, to say the least! When coupled with modern frame geometry, and the lively ride feel that titanium frames are known for, the ride experience is like no other!

Moving the gears from the rear wheel around the bottom bracket improves handling significantly. Since the motor and the gears reside inside the same housing, the added mass is located in the best place possible; low and centred. Thanks to this, the bike is easier to manoeuvre, but still more stable in speed! An added benefit in running a robust single-speed drivetrain is the sound – or the lack of it to be more exact. Thanks to the simple drivetrain arrangement, no mechanism is needed to keep the chain or the belt under proper tension, making chain slap and all types of rattling sounds just an unpleasant memory.

Ease of use, simplicity, weight distribution and pure performance are the factors that set the Pässilä Bicycles prototype – powered by the Revonte ONE Drive System – ahead of the competition.

When And for How Much?

What about the most pressing questions pressing – when the bike is going to be available, and for how much?

Currently, the prototype model is being tested thoroughly to ensure longevity while looking at even the smallest details that can be improved upon. In other words, the development is ongoing, and the design is being solidified bit by bit.

If you want to be the first to join the party when it comes to automatic & stepless transmission and EMTB riding, contact Pässilä Bicycles for further information. In turn, we are more than happy to help with all drive system related questions.

More fun, and less downtime with the Revonte ONE Drive System

Jukka Mäennenä on 2022-11-04

E-bikes have grown in number massively over the past few years. However, technology has not evolved quite as rapidly as most would have wished. This is especially true when it comes to drivetrains. In addition to offering industry-leading ride experience, the Revonte ONE Drive System is the most low-maintenance option around!

Read further to learn why!

Simplifying the Drivetrain

The traditional drivetrain architecture has served bicycles well – until now that is. With the advent of e-bikes, we’ve mode from the area of low loads to the territory of high loads. The combined power output of the rider and drive unit does pose a new set of challenges to the whole bike, especially the drivetrain components.

The cluttered combination of a dozen or so sprockets and the derailleur hanging on the side of the bike can only cope with so much. We are here to offer a better solution that’s time-tested.

Enter the single-speed drivetrain. Until now, running a drivetrain of that sort has meant foregoing gears – a compromise that’s a tall order, to say the least. The Revonte ONE Drive System offers the best of both worlds; a robust power line from the front sprocket to the rear wheel with a wide gear ratio. On top of this, the gears inside the drive unit operate automatically and in a stepless fashion – something that’s unseen in the world of e-bikes until now.

Less Moving Parts

The basic principles of engineering and practical lessons are in full effect when it comes to bicycle components. A practical, and most basic takeaway is that fewer moving parts come with decreased maintenance needs. When moving from a combination of a dozen or so chainrings onto a single pair, we are talking about a change that’s more than just a small step in development. A game changer – a term that’s often overused – is well warranted here.

A single-speed chain and a pair of sprockets are not immune to wear, but they can withstand more mileage and ride even in the most challenging conditions than a narrow chain and a cluster of sprockets ever can.

If ease of use, minimal maintenance needs, and an oil-free drivetrain is preferred, then we recommend taking a look into the carbon belt drive by the Gates corporation. Our in-house testing has given some very promising results when it comes to the longevity and wear-resistance of this drivetrain solution.

Highly Protected

The benefits do not end here. In addition to the simple and robust drivetrain structure, all the critical components related to gearing are protected inside the stealth housing of the Revone ONE Drive Unit. Dust, rain, mud and splashes do not reach inside the housing and subject the transmission components to contamination.

This feature alone has been a massive downside for traditional bicycle gearing systems. With the Revonte ONE, it’s just one of the numerous benefits.

More Riding, Less Wrenching

Basic regular maintenance measures geared towards the drivetrain components go a long way. Or to be more accurate, are all that’s needed to keep a Revonte ONE equipped e-bike running.

Who wouldn’t like a more carefree e-bike that requires less maintenance than the current “old-fashioned” models? Because of the ingenious design of the Revonte ONE Drive System, one can ride more with less downtime thanks to the lessened service needs. And when the time eventually comes to replace components that are subjected to wear, like chains and sprockets, the task is easier and orders of magnitude more affordable.

Ride more, wrench less and have fun.

2021 in Review

Jukka Mäennenä on 2022-01-03

Time flies as they say. This is especially true when developing an innovative product such as the Revonte ONE Drive System. A brief summary was in order to bring 2021 to closure, Read further to learn what happened, and even more importantly, what’s going to happen in 2022!

Development and Testing

It goes without saying that 2021 was extremely dense and condensed when it comes to developing, and refining the Revonte ONE Drive System further, and further. Testing the results of the development work, whether it be hardware or software related, was another side of the coin that produced nearly an equal workload than the development itself. All this is done to ensure the unprecedented ride experience and performance when the Revonte ONE Drive system is released to the market.

Suffice to say, the global economic environment did not make things easier with continuously growing lead times, components, and material shortages. We did navigate the challenging circumstances well, but it did not come without a considerable amount of work in the back end.

The advent of Cargo e-bikes

We’ve said it previously, but it is worth repeating: cargo e-bikes are going to form a big part of the e-bike market in the future. The utility value of an e-bike that can carry a decent payload can hardly be overstated, in commercial as well as in personal settings.

We’ve partnered with EAV which is the leading company on this front with its forward-thinking approach to design and ability. We are especially excited for the future developments in this field and will keep the collaboration as strong as ever.

Media Presence

We’ve been pleased to see that features about us have appeared in the cycling media throughout the year. One very notable landmark in the media coverage category was an article published in the prestigious Forbes magazine that got published in April of 2021.

While we are at it and speaking of media coverage, head to Revonte.com/Company to see the full list of news and media coverage that’s been published to this date!

For the technically-minded and curious, we also lifted the curtain of secrecy by presenting a video showing how the Revone ONE Drive Unit works.

Eurobike

Eurobike is the premier annual event for the bicycle industry. The 2020 edition got cancelled because of the global pandemic, but fortunately, a year later, the show was back in nearly full swing – and, of course, we were there.

The show was a success by all metrics. Media presence and exposure were gained, interesting discussions were had, and important negotiations were made. Without an exception, every visitor on our stand was excited and impressed about the automatic & stepless transmission found on the Revonte ONE Drive System.

E-bikes equipped with the Revonte ONE Drive System are a category-breaker and will change how e-bikes are ridden and even thought of.

Moving Forward!

This year will be exciting, and a decisive time period in many ways. The demand for e-bikes is higher than ever and just keeps increasing. The demand for a new drive system and drivetrain technology that is user-friendly, low maintenance, and easy to use is up there as well. We are going to answer that call.

Stay tuned for future news. Big things are coming up in 2022!

Future-proof

Jukka Mäennenä on 2021-12-17

The development of e-bike technology is happening fast, and not in a linear fashion. Even though forecasting is difficult, especially when it comes to predicting future events, we are very confident that the Revonte ONE Drive System will stand the test of time for many years to come.

Read further to learn why that is.

Software-first approach

Even though a heavy dose of good old-fashioned mechanical engineering has gone into the Revonte ONE Drive Unit, we describe ourselves as a software development company first and foremost.

To achieve this type of operation model, we have designed the Revonte ONE Drive System from the ground up as a software-based product. This does not negate the importance of a sound and robust mechanical design – on the contrary. The design of the Revonte ONE Drive Unit is based on a time-tested design that’s been used in a variety of applications, including heavy-duty industrial use.

By leveraging the features of the mechanical design, and pairing that with highly sophisticated control software, we are able to deliver something very special

With a sturdy base that’s standing on a pair of legs provided by a time-tested mechanical design, we can leave the finer details and features to the software side. This is where the highly honed control software and the development that has gone into it steps in. Not only does this approach enable us to provide a variety of features, and different ride characteristics, but also the ability to implement them very quickly, and efficiently.

More often than not, it’s easier and faster to develop new code than to replace hardware.

Time-tested Drivetrain Solution

Even though the current bicycle drivetrain is a respectable piece of engineering, it’s far from ideal or not to mention a pinnacle of drivetrain technology. Fragile parts, components that are subjected to high wear rates, and the need for regular maintenance are some of the most obvious shortcomings of current systems.

The Revonte ONE Drive System employs a highly reliable, and simple single-speed transmission. One chain paired to a pair of sprockets – could not get much more simple than that! With simplicity, the benefits of lower maintenance needs, very affordable spare parts, and overall robust construction are realized.

How would this look if it was simple? This is a question often raised in engineering. Our answer to the question is that the drivetrain should include as few parts as possible that are subjected to the elements, and thus oftentimes high wear rates.

The single-speed transmission has stood the test of time for more than a century, and it is safe to assume that it’s not going anywhere anytime soon.

It is worth noting that the long list of benefits also include the option for using a belt drive which is virtually maintenance-free, and the most “tidy” option available since it does not require any lubrication for proper functioning.

Fully Connected

The future of e-bikes will be focused more and more on the overall ride experience. Not only has the nature and performance of the assistance to be top-notch, but also other features found on the drive system, including connectivity to other devices. We’ve made sure that the Revonte ONE Drive System is future-proof by including a full set of connectivity technology inbuilt on the drive unit itself. The list includes Bluetooth, 4G, and GPS.

The versatile, and fast connectivity options enable software updates over the air, as well as connecting 3rd party applications if the need arises. In other words, we’ve left all the doors open for future development by embedding all the modern connection standards to the drive unit. This also means that we are not tied to a specific layout or standard, nor are there other limiting dependencies

In Closing

By leveraging the features of the mechanical design, pairing that with highly sophisticated control software, and full connectivity we are able to deliver something very special to the world of e-bikes.

“One hardware, all types of e-bikes”, is the motto of the Revonte ONE Drive System which can be realized with ingenious design work, and picking the best features from a varied field of technologies, including mechanical, software, and electronic engineering.

Combining all these factors we can say that Revonte ONE Drive System will retain its modern status for many years to come, and provide a ride experience that all other drive systems are compared to.

On Testing

Jukka Mäennenä on 2021-10-22

When it comes to developing a high-end product with a wide spectrum of features that combines technologies from a variety of fields like in the Revonte ONE Drive System, testing is paramount. In this article, we’ll provide an insight into what goes into developing and testing the smartest e-bike drive system out there.

Multiple Phases

Designing an e-bike drive system like the Revonte ONE is a task that requires a lot of engineering from several different departments; mechanical, software, and electrical are the main ones.

To verify that the design fulfills its intended purpose, testing needs to be done. The more detailed and systematic the testing procedure is, the better. This is to ensure that the drive system functions as it is designed, but also to minimize the risk of any unwanted events like error modes, or mechanical failures. As it is said, no stone should be left unturned when it comes to testing.

Testing takes place in several phases and in different phases, from lab to real-world conditions. This is to ensure that the component or feature works as intended independently and later as an integral part of the system in varying conditions.

In the Lab

The plentiful torque and peak power output of the Revonte ONE Drive System aren’t taken from thin air. A dedicated testing rig was developed to test that the drive unit’s calculated and actual performance metrics match. The tireless test rig has put out watts more than a grand tour contender during a Grand Tour race to hone the function of the drive system.

Even though the drive unit is the heart of the Revonte ONE Drive System (and software is the brains), no part of the system gets overlooked. All the components have gone through several testing protocols to ensure that they operate as intended. Testing for things like durability against vibration, water, and moisture resistance for IPX6 grading are just a few found on the long list.

Something as simple as being able to withstand the stress that the parts are subjected to under several years of use. For example, the paddles of our Controller was tested for the number of presses that would take place during a 2-year time period on average – and that’s a lot of clicks.

In the Field

Field testing follows next. Even though a lot can be done in the lab, there’s no substitute for real-world testing. Subjecting the components to the outside elements during prolonged use, leaving the bike unwashed for a period of time, riding in the pouring rain, tackling the steepest uphill one can find, or just simply pushing the paddles of the Controller with a bit more force than intended pose demands to the drive system that can not be replicated in the lab environment.

Hence, we’ve put the Revonte ONE Drive System through its paces in the field to reveal any hidden or unknown issue that had escaped the thorough trials so far.

A Straightforward Goal

The goal of all of this is straightforward: to deliver the smartest e-bike drive system which delivers what it promises and keeps on doing that for a long time to come.

For those eagerly waiting for the release of the Revonte ONE Drive System, we can, fortunately, say that the end is near, and the result is worth the wait.

Video: Revonte at Eurobike 2021

Jukka Mäennenä on 2021-09-27

Head to your YouTube channel to see what happened at the Eurobike 2021 edition!

Our technical sales manager Leon outlines the Revonte ONE Drive System and how it’s integrated into bikes with very different applications.

P2 from our partner Lavelle bikes is an e-bike designed for commuting with a futuristic design and state-of-the-art carbon chassis.

The EAV 2Cubed on the other hand is the class-leading vehicle in the cargo e-bike segment. The Revonte ONE Drive System is not only the smartest drive system out there but also the most versatile one.

Watch to see what was on display on our booth and subscribe to your YouTube channel to stay up to date on new video releases!

Eurobike Wrap-up

To summarize the Eurobike 2021 coverage, some of the notable stories and videos are listed below. Click the links to see what the most notable media outlets have to say about the Revonte ONE Drive System!

EMBN.com – The Future Of E-Bike Motors? New EMTB Motor Tech | Eurobike 2021 Day 3

Pedelec-elektro-fahrrad.de – First Ride: Revonte ONE auf der Eurobike 2021

Downtown-ebike.com – News Eurobike 2021 – The 13 ebike highlights in the urban mobility sector

Eurobike 2021 Wrap-Up and Moving Forward

Jukka Mäennenä on 2021-09-10

Eurobike is the premier annual show which showcases the new products for the upcoming year as well as showcasing new technologies and developments which are about to be employed in the market in the near future. In short, the annual show organized in Friedrichschafen Germany shows who’s who by calling every major player to show their hand for the upcoming year.

Making an Impact

Eurobike was a big midterm goal for us. First, we wanted to present all the hard work and development that has gone into the Revonte ONE Drive System since our last appearance in the show in 2019. Back then, we did not have a rideable prototype with us – something that was going to change for 2021.

The testing and development have been ongoing and even fierce. At any given time we’ve had rideable prototypes around the office, but we wanted to make sure that the version that was coming with us to Eurobike would be pristine in its performance. The current supply chain issues and material shortages have not played any favours on this front, but we made it happen.

It goes without saying that there was no shortage in demand when it came to test ride slots. There were almost no idle moments when the bike was on the move, whether ridden by our future potential customers or media personnel.

In Partnership

We partnered with our longtime collaborators EAV and Lavelle bikes to have a strong presence in the show. Our booth stood out with its central location, ample footprint, and timeless black and white color theme. The bikes from EAV and Lavelle were the icing on the cake, displaying the versatility of the Revonte ONE Drive System.

The futuristic and highly refined model from Lavelle Bikes was an eye-catcher to say the least. The shapes and highly engineered carbon lay-ups of the frame are a work of art by themselves as is the asymmetrical design which is enabled by the Revonte ONE Drive System.

The EAV 2Cubed cargo e-bike had just as strong of a stand in the show. Leo from EAV had no dull moment during the entire four days of the show in describing the features of the vehicle and the design philosophy behind it.

Moving Forward

Eurobike produced more than anticipated interest towards the Revonte ONE Drive System. When it comes to e-bike drive systems, combining the motor and the transmission all in one enclosed unit is the way of the future, and has been our solution from the start.

Currently, we are finalizing the mechanical design, testing, and stress-proofing the production methods and moving into the production phase in 2022. The start will be done on a smaller scale to ensure the highest level of quality control. Once the production processes have been verified and thoroughly tested, we’ll be moving into mass production in the 2nd stage.

Bikes equipped with the Revonte ONE Drive System will be available in 2022. If you want to be among the first lucky ones enjoying the automatic & stepless operation of our drive system, stay tuned for future updates on specific bike models.

What does the Media say?

Media coverage is an essential part of the Eurobike show. Below you can find some of the most notable media outlets covering the Revonte ONE Drive System.

Click the links below to see EMBN, Pedelec & E-bikes magazine, and the.european.bike.project channel had to say about the Revonte ONE and our partners!

EMBN.com – The Future Of E-Bike Motors? New EMTB Motor Tech | Eurobike 2021 Day 3
When it comes to e-bikes – and especially e-mtb’s – the EMBN.com site and YouTube channel are the platforms to watch! We had the honor to have a visit by the legendary rider and reporter Steve Jones the first thing when the show started. To get Mr. Jones’ take on our drive system and the future of e-mtb’s watch the video below!

Pedelec-elektro-fahrrad.de – First Ride: Revonte ONE auf der Eurobike 2021

In case your German language skills are a bit out of touch, a translated version provided by Google can be read here. A summary of the test ride is found below.

“The full assistance mode topped it off so that there was an abundance of power available! You notice this when you accelerate quickly, which happens still really quietly. Only the gear changes were a bit rougher, but this will be brought to an optimal level in the course of the development of Revonte.

Overall, the system has already made a good impression on us and we can expect a unique drive system for the series variant, which does not have any susceptible derailleur gears.”

The.european.bike.project

This Instagram channel is for the connoisseurs of the bike industry. The feed focuses almost exclusively on products that are manufactured inside the EU – criteria we are proud to fulfill! The post describes nicely the frames of Lavelle Bikes which are made in Spain and of course the Revonte ONE Drive System which is engineered in Finland.

Näytä tämä julkaisu Instagramissa.

Henkilön The European Bike Project TEBP (@the.european.bike.project) jakama julkaisu

What Makes a Good E-bike Drive System – And How We’ve Met the Demanding List of Criteria

Jukka Mäennenä on 2021-08-06

Even though the e-bike industry can be considered quite young, a considerable amount of maturation has taken place in just a couple of years. Gone are the days when a bike manufacturer can bolt a motor around the bottom bracket, place a battery on top of the pannier rack and call it an e-bike. Besides more polished looks the assistance behaviour has improved by leaps and bounds – and the Revonte ONE Drive System is going to take it to the next level.

Read further to learn more.

Ride Experience

When it comes to evaluating drive system performance, assistance behaviour rules the game. No matter how nice looking, light or easy to use the system is, it does not matter if the ride experience resembles that of a cheap scooter that gas water mixed in the gas tank.

We’ve taken great care in developing the assistance behaviour of the Revonte ONE Drive System to the extent that it feels as if the bike is thinking already one step ahead. How is this accomplished you might ask? By refining the software with the aid of continuous and prolonged testing and by using high-quality sensors to detect even the smallest actions performed by the rider.

A close second to the assistance behaviour is the ease of use. Conveniently the Revonte ONE Drive System scores the very top on this department, thanks to its automatic & stepless transmission. Just pedal – the bike will take care of the rest!

Configurability – on more than one level

It is already commonplace that a drive system has some level of inbuilt configurability by offering the choice between different assistance modes and possibly even more detailed settings. With the Revonte ONE Drive System, we’ve taken the configurability aspect to the next level.

First, the bike manufacturer can configure the drive system according to their needs, whether it’s a commuter bike or a heavy-duty cargo e-bike. After the initial specs the end-user – meaning the rider – can configure the drive system according to their wishes or needs via our dedicated app.

Inbuilt Modularity

What makes the Revonte ONE Drive System truly unique is that a single drive unit can be used in all types of bikes from a high-performance e-mtb to a commuter designed year-round daily use. From a bike manufacturer’s perspective, this is a very welcomed feature since it lessens the needed design considerations, product variants and stock overhead.

And that’s not all. The Revonte AKKU is the smartest e-bike battery out there for a good reason. Both AKKU 5 and AKKU 7 share the same form factor, i.e., they have the same physical dimensions, hence making them interchangeable. This enables the bike manufacturer, or the rider, to spec his or her bike with just the right amount of energy storage capacity.

The various inbuilt modular features make the Revonte ONE Drive System the ultimate choice both from bike manufacturers, but also from rider’s perspective.

Reliability

When it comes to power transmission, the century-old chain is still looking for a worthy rival. With the Revonte ONE Drive System, one can use a wide single-speed chain which is the most robust and durable type there is. Add to that the fact that the ingenious design of the Revonte ONE Drive Unit makes damage-prone derailleur obsolete, the reliability factor gets multiplied.

As a nice bonus replacing the whole drivetrain costs only a fraction of that compared to a set consisting of a complex cassette, multi-speed chain and compatible chainring.

Up to Date

Nobody likes to ride an old bike, especially if a newer or better model is available. There is no way to stop the ongoing technological development – which is only a good thing – but we’ve done everything in our power to keep Revonte ONE Drive System up to date and performing at its best for as long as possible.

How can this be done once the bike has left the factory floor then? By software updates which can be made swiftly and effortlessly, thanks to the inbuilt 4G connection which is a default feature in the Revonte ONE Drive System.

In Closing

An e-bike drive system has to tick a lot of boxes to be a top performer in all areas. Revonte ONE Drive System does this with flying colours and goes even beyond that. The automatic & stepless transmission and the simple construction of the drivetrain itself take the e-bike ride experience and ease of use to an unprecedented level.

The one and truly smart drive system out there – Revonte ONE.

Lessons from the Industry

Jukka Mäennenä on 2021-04-30

The bicycle drivetrain started as a direct mount application where the pedals were attached directly to the hub. The use of a chain in the form of a single-speed drivetrain was the next phase of evolution. The possibility of changing gears rapidly while riding followed next with the aid of a derailleur. This is the phase we are now still, but this needs to change.

E-bikes create a whole new set of requirements for the drivetrain – which the Revonte ONE Drive System solves brilliantly. Read further to learn why that is.

A Brief Primer

The addition of electric assistance to the drivetrain creates a whole new set of design conditions and demands. When it comes to e-bikes, the technology used in traditional bike can’t be fully adopted – or not at least with the assumption that the performance will be flawless across the board.

When it comes to other components, such as the frame, cockpit parts, suspension and even brakes, the current technology serves us well when it’s adopted e-bike applications. The drivetrain, however, is of special interest in this case.

The addition of electrical assistance with the need for fast, reliable and shifting creates a whole new situation that hasn’t existed before the era of e-bikes. This leads us to the topic of loads.

Low and High-Loads

The traditional bicycle drivetrain can be defined as a mechanism that’s subjected to low-loads, at least with the majority of use cases. A strong rider can without a doubt apply a respectable amount of torque and power to the pedals, but when compared to figures seen in industrial applications the numbers are meagre at best.

This makes the bicycle drivetrain a low-load application which the technology used so far has been able to cope with.

The situation changes, however, when a powerful e-bike motor is added to the equation. In practical terms, it can double the torque and output that the drivetrain components are subjected to. Now we move on to the high-load territory. When talking about demanding applications like cargo e-bikes, this matter gets even more pronounced.

A chain can handle loads like this without a problem, but the same can’t be said about the entirety of the drivetrain. As it’s often said, a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Interestingly, the chain isn’t necessarily the weakest link in this scenario, but how it’s used. A chain will do its task diligently, but moving it sideways from one cog to the next under tension creates a set of problems – as most e-bike enthusiasts have surely noted.

Things That Used to Matter

Historically cyclists have been nearly obsessed with weight which has led to the use of “materials” such as drillium. When not taken to the extreme, making bikes and other human-powered vehicles responsibly light makes sense. The power to weight ratio does matter somewhat, whether one likes it or not.

With the advent of e-bikes, the set of circumstances and limiting factors we are dealing with are quite different! First of all, when the assistance of the drive unit is added to the equation, the weight of the bike becomes almost a non-issue. Trying to make e-bikes as light as possible in exchange for performance and/or durability is an exercise in futility.

The same line of thinking applies to efficiency. With traditional bikes, efficiency is best kept in the high 90’s or so, but with e-bikes, one gets a lot more leeway when the drive unit is churning with steady assistance of 250W – an output that will take a considerable amount of training to sustain for hours on end.

Tried and True Solutions

Traditional bicycle drivetrains tick the boxes somewhat well when it comes to efficiency and low-weight. When it comes to e-bikes, these criteria become nearly marginal. Instead, reliability, robustness, easy shifting and low maintenance are things that are wanted.

A quick look outside of the bicycle industry gives obvious clues of the direction of what a winning drivetrain would look like. When it comes to automotive, industrial or even motorcycle applications, in none of these (or very rarely at least) you see a chain or a belt transferred from one cog to the next. Instead, gearboxes and other similar robust and oftentimes enclosed systems are more than prevalent.

When it comes to e-bikes, we can do better than what’s available currently. This is where Revonte ONE Drive System steps in; a robust, reliable and low maintenance transmission. And we haven’t even mentioned the automatic stepless gearing feature which will provide an unprecedented ride-experience.

In Summary

Until now bicycles have been optimized around weight and efficiency. Although still somewhat important, they are far from the top of the criteria list when it comes to e-bike applications. Traditional bicycles are in the low-load category when it comes to drivetrain characteristics. In the case of e-bikes, we are moving significantly closer to the high-load territory and its accompanying design conditions.

This simple characterisation should be taken into account in the design of the whole drivetrain, and that’s what we are doing with the Revonte ONE Drive System while also improving the ride-experience significantly; just pedal and the bike will do the rest!

This simple characterisation should be taken into account in the design of the whole drivetrain, and that’s what we are doing with the Revonte ONE Drive System. It’s more than capable of handling the high demands of a modern e-bike power transmission while also improving reliability and last but not least, the ride-experience itself; just pedal and the bike will do the rest!

10 Reasons Why Single-Speed Drivetrain Makes Sense for E-bikes

Jukka Mäennenä on 2021-03-10

A lot can be said about bicycle drivetrains – and even as much has been done in order to make it more simple, efficient, compact or lightweight. True breakthroughs have been a rare delicacy despite the considerable effort that has gone into improving bicycle drivetrains. That has been the situation until now, before the advent of the Revonte ONE Drive System and the ingenious and remarkably simple drivetrain solution it employs.

Read further to learn why single-speed drivetrain is the winning solution in e-bikes in every way.

Freedom of design. The simple structure of the single-speed drivetrain frees a lot of real estate around the bottom bracket and the rear axle. This in turn enables designs that would be out of bounds with traditional derailleur setups.

Take our partner Lavelle Bikes for example. Their single-sided rear triangle is a prime example of a high-level design that takes advantage of this possibility. The end result is a true eye-catcher.

Simple, even elegant looks. Even though bicycle design isn’t a beauty pageant, the looks do matter. Getting rid of the protruding, and sometimes even obscure-looking, rear derailleur makes bicycles a lot more pleasing to the eye.

It’s not a coincidence that there’s a certain pull or attraction towards track and fixie bikes, and we bet that part of it is because of the simple looks and structure. Now the same feature can be found in e-bikes as well.

Robust and reliable. How many times have you had “a mechanical” during a bike ride, e.g. meaning a failure of some drivetrain component? The odds are that at least once, and most likely the correct answer is a lot more than that. The single-speed drivetrain isn’t bombproof, but it’s more reliable and robust by several magnitudes than the current derailleur systems.

Clean shifting. When you shift from one gear to the next or jump over many gears at once, it should not be accompanied by a sound that something is exploding in the drivetrain. Interestingly enough, this is the situation with current drivetrains, especially when electrical assistance is involved.

The automatic and stepless operation of the Revonte ONE Drive Systems makes these destructive and expensive-sounding gear shifts just a distant memory in the past. And it gets even better than that; the automatic mode takes up the shifting duties so that the rider can focus just on the ride itself!

No need for adjustments. Stretched out cables, misaligned gear hangers, and the usual culprits that plague the traditional drive systems are another distant and unpleasant memory when using the Revonte ONE Drive System. The drive system is controlled fully electronically, so there are no mechanical parts that need to be adjusted over the bike’s lifetime.

A lower barrier for simple repairs. If you’re not an avid cyclist, a relatively simple repair like a tire replacement can be a daunting task because of all the components and moving parts involved. The simple single-speed drivetrain makes all the repairs and maintenance more simple by several factors!! In other words, you don’t need a PhD in bicycle mechanics to up for the task.

Optimal weight distribution. When it comes to bicycles and other human-powered vehicles, weight does matter. One could argue that where the weight is located matters just as much. With the Revonte ONE Drive System the weight distribution is as optimal as it can get – low and in the middle of the bike. This brings several benefits related to the ride characteristics of the bike and smaller unsprung mass when it comes to full-suspension e-mtb’s.

Longer service intervals. Narrow chains and cassettes consisting up to dozen cogs are prone to wear and tear caused by regular use, no matter how dutifully the drivetrain systems are kept clean. With the Revonte ONE Drive System and the single-speed drivetrain it employs, the service intervals can be significantly lengthened – just clean and lube the chain once every 1-2 weeks, and you have your bases covered.

If one is looking for an especially care-free solution, then a belt drive provides a very tempting option. “No grease, no rust”, as they say at the Gates – the leading belt drive manufacturer. According to testing performed by Gates, a belt drive can handle as much as twice the mileage compared to a chain.

Affordable spare parts. When you have a simple chain (or a belt for that matter), one chainring and one cog, replacing even the full drivetrain become much, much more affordable compared to traditional solutions. Less time and money spent on servicing is a plus on our books!

A very high degree of compatibility. The number of standards and the lack of cross-compatibility is nearly a laughing joke in the bicycle industry.

Can you fit this cassette on this type of freewheel? Yes, if you replace the driver, buy these two adapters, and purchase a different chain

A conversation like the above is almost too commonplace. With the single-speed drivetrain, the cross-compatibility issues become nearly obsolete. Just get a chainring and a cog in the correct sizes, install the chain (or purchase a belt) in the correct length and you’re off to the races.

A high degree of compatibility not only makes life easier for the end-users, but also for the bike manufacturer. Fewer product variants mean smaller and simple inventory.

In closing

In a way, it’s been a full circle. The application of chain drive into a bicycle marked the revolution of modern bicycles which we are still witnessing today. Over the decades, the number of cogs on the rear cassette increased within the available space constraints. The latest evolution of bicycles is characterized by the addition of electric assistance and dropping the number of chainrings and cogs back to one.

Make no mistake, though. A simpler solution does not equal fewer features or poorer ride characteristics. Welcome the Revonte ONE Drive System and the new era of e-bikes.