Trés Chique: Cixi and Look Jointly Develop a Speed Pedelec

The name Look has a good reputation in the global cycling world, especially in France, of course. What the manufacturer does attracts attention. Especially when it ventures to develop an S-pedelec for the very first time. Perhaps in this case, however, the real star is not the bicycle, but its drive.

End of a certain stagnation

For Look, ebikes are basically not new territory. The range currently includes five different models: an urban ebike, two e-gravel bikes and two e-road bikes. All of them are based on an identical frame and an Evation drive from Fazua. Basically, nothing has changed fundamentally since the market launch in 2020 and 2021.

In view of this starting position, the high-end manufacturer from Nevers is not necessarily in the front row when it comes to cycling with electric assistance. However, it seems that the manufacturer wants to work its way forward in the foreseeable future. This should be possible with the Rover 45. And the S-pedelec is certainly capable of ploughing through the field of competitors ahead of it.

Look Rover 45 speed pedelec

Cixi who?

On the one hand, because Look is considered an expert in the field of aerodynamics and it is known to be easier to overtake while drafting. On the other hand, because a second extremely innovative French company comes into play. The Rover 45 has a drive system from Cixi. What, never heard of it? Then welcome to the club, it was also unknown to us 😉.

However, Cixi has been around since 2016, with a team of around 60 people realising their ideas of modern, environmentally friendly mobility. In all these years, they have concentrated on a roofed single-seater that is supposed to travel at speeds of up to 120 kilometres per hour with the help of an electric drive. What is special about the Vigoz is the fact that passengers can reach these speeds by pedalling. A three-wheeled speed pedelec as a space capsule on speed, so to speak.

Chasing down the motorway at speeds of up to 120 km/h with the Cixi Vigoz – still fiction, perhaps soon reality.

Consequently, propelling a conventional speed pedelec should be a cinch for such a system. This is what Look executives might have thought when they met Cixi in 2016, apparently rather by chance, and started talking more deeply. “Originally we conceptualized the Vigoz, a light vehicle that allows pedaling up to 120 km/h on any highway. Then, as we met Look, we extended our pedaling technology to bikes, bringing the chainless technology straight away to high standards of haptics in cycling,” Pierre Francis, one of the founders and current CEO of Cixi, tells the company’s website.

In two years, i.e. in 2025, Cixi wants to deliver the first models of the LEV.

Doubly remarkable

The drive system that Cixi has adapted from the Vigoz to the Look Rover 45 is called the Pedaling Energy Recovery System, or PERS for short. As the name suggests, recuperation plays a significant role. Part of the energy generated during pedalling is recovered and flows back into the battery as electric current. So, if the battery is empty during the ride, it doesn’t necessarily have to stay that way for the rest of the tour. Even though Cixi does not reveal how exactly on its website, the range is always extended. Presumably, this is similar to other systems when you brake or drive downhill in neutral.

The second important feature of the drive is not mentioned in the name. Perhaps because it is so obvious. PERS does not have a chain. Or rather, PERS does not need a chain. Nor does it need a belt or any other form of mechanical power transmission from the pedal to the rear wheel axle. The connection between the gearbox in the bottom bracket and the rear wheel hub motor works electronically. Once again, Cixi is very cagey about the details. What is certain is that an algorithm takes the sceptre and ensures smooth pedalling, according to Cixi in any terrain, even riding out of the saddle. Instead of setting the gear on a derailleur or hub gear, with PERS you select a desired cadence. The transmission then works with this input as a basis. Any conventional support levels are not mentioned in this context. There is only mention of a power level that can be selected between easy and intensive.

Cixi Pers gearbox in exploded view

Ready for something greater

Apparently, Cixi can now offer various ebike systems. Interested bicycle manufacturers can order motors that support up to 25 km/h, 45 km/h or other desired speeds. It seems that multiple motors can be controlled at the same time via PERS. At this point it becomes clear that even applications in LEV are absolutely conceivable. The system uses 48 volts as working voltage. Several battery sizes are available to match the different motors. It can be operated via a display, such as the one integrated in the stem of the Look Rover 45. Alternatively, this works via smartphone. The manufacturer can also implement smart features such as localising an ebike, locking the drive from a certain distance and recording several activity data. The same applies to various lighting options such as high beam, low beam, parking light, licence plate illumination and turn signals.

Cixi considers numerous potential applications for the PERS.

Look Rover 45: The somewhat different speed pedelec

What exactly will be available on the Rover 45 is still to be seen. At the moment, nothing at all is said about the project on Look’s website. Cixi roughly presents the project on its website, but does not mention any technical specifications. Nevertheless, pictures are already circulating. And on them, the speed pedelec impresses with a very unique look. Since no conventional drivetrain is needed, there is automatically new freedom for the design.

Look has used this accordingly. Within the one and a half years of joint development, the bicycle manufacturer was primarily responsible for designing the frame, which was designed for a speed pedelec right from the start. Instead of a chain stay and a seat stay, for example, the rear triangle consists of a single solid strut. Its lines are continued towards the main frame by a removable battery. The frame tubes are not round, but rather appear to be flat. This gives the Rover 45 a more angular and at the same time aerodynamically optimised appearance. This is matched by the fact that the stem and handlebars merge into a single unit that grows organically out of the head tube.

Components of the complete drive system

The aforementioned battery has a capacity of 700 watt hours. Since we do not yet know how much energy the drive typically needs, it is also difficult to assess the possible range. Especially since recuperation has to be taken into account. With the mudguards, the kickstand and the two carriers at the front and rear, the bike has a lot of what you would expect from such a vehicle in an urban context. And did we mention that you can no longer get your clothes dirty on the chain, rear derailleur, chain ring or front derailleur? An app called Active Pilot has also been announced. It will probably enable you to lock your bike electronically or share it with friends.

Pictures: Cixi