No doubt about it, ebikes are a great thing. However, they are also rightly considered to be quite a material guzzler. The double power – human and motor – puts a lot of strain on components such as chainrings, sprockets and chains. Some manufacturers are responding to this enormous load in an extremely innovative way. The latest example of this is New Motion Labs with the Enduo Ride.
Half as many teeth, but twice as sturdy
New Motion Labs caused quite a stir back in spring 2022. The company from Exeter in the UK presented a drive unit specially designed for e-cargo bikes called Enduo Cargo. This was particularly impressive due to the unique design of the chainring and sprocket. The teeth on both are so far apart that a complete chain link fits between them. With conventional chains, there is only room for a single roller. The advantage of the principle described by New Motion Labs as “dual engagement” is that it places less stress on the rollers. One of the rollers pushes while the other pulls at the same time. This results in a lower load, which in turn significantly reduces wear on the chain and sprocket.
With a conventional sprocket (left), each roller is subjected to the same load. With the Enduo Ride, however, one roller pulls on the tooth of the sprocket, while another roller on the opposite side supports the movement.
From a practical point of view, however, Enduo Cargo also has disadvantages. The system requires a special chain, as it is approved for loads of up to 500 kilograms. A type 06B-1 roller chain is therefore used, which is normally intended for industrial applications. This is an obstacle for private use in particular, as all familiar bicycle chains are no longer suitable as replacements.
New system integrates standard chains
This is precisely where Enduo Ride comes into play. The sprocket and chainring package was also developed specifically for ebike drivetrains. However, you can easily combine it with any conventional bicycle chain. This greater practicability comes at the cost of a few compromises in terms of load capacity compared to Enduo Cargo. The solution is suitable for ebikes with motors that deliver the usual 250 watts. The counterpart for e-cargo bikes can also cope with units that deliver up to 500 watts.
Enduo Ride chainring and sprocket
Less – but still so much more
Likewise, an ebike equipped with Enduo Ride can only carry a maximum load of 150 kilograms. This corresponds to the level of typical ebikes – from mountain bikes to trekking bikes, compact bikes, SUV bikes and light cargo bikes. New Motion Labs puts the expected service life of the chain at between 10,000 and 15,000 kilometres. If we bear in mind that we are talking about a standard bicycle chain here, then this figure is really impressive. That would be roughly double or triple what is normally considered realistic.
If the sprocket and chainring last just as long, you can save quite a bit of money. Apart from the fact that you would have to replace the system much less frequently and the maintenance effort would also be minimised. As all components on the Enduo Ride are made entirely of stainless steel, the prerequisites for this seem to be in place. Incidentally, New Motion Labs has the parts manufactured in Germany.
Not a universal solution
At the end of the day, there is only one fly in the ointment. The system can only be used on bikes with hub gears and single-speed drivetrains. There is no cassette and therefore no solution for derailleur gears. In terms of the motor, however, you have a free choice according to the manufacturer. Whether Brose, Yamaha, Giant, Shimano, Bosch, Panasonic and so on – everything is welcome.
Pictures: New Motion Labs
