Motor Integrated Transmission, a Promising Ebike Evolution

Surely one of the most interesting novelty in nowadays ebike dynamic world is the integration of the gearbox, or shifter, into the ebike motor.

The best place to put a shifter is inside the motor

Could you imagine a rear wheel drive car, like a BMW or a Mercedes, with the gearshift separated from the motor, installed on the rear axle? Shifting wouldn’t be so smooth. It’s therefore logic that even for ebikes, where shifting gears is at least as frequent and as vital as for cars, the best place to put a shifter is inside the motor.

That’s what at least four very technologically advanced leaders among ebike motor and shifter manufacturers have accomplished this year. Read more on the more recent Effigear gearbox post.

Ebikes with integrated motor shifter are already for sale

Among the brands that have signed up with Valeo to supply this type of propulsion system are Fuell, Heritage, Cycleurope VUF Bikes and others, which are clearly attracted by a product that is revolutionary compared to what is available on the market.

At the end of last year, the well-known supplier to the automotive industry, Valeo, landed in the electric bicycle sector by presenting the Valeo Smart E-Bike System, an integrated motor and automatic transmission system with seven speeds and one reverse gear. A revolutionary concept that Revonte already introduced in 2019 and that is now being tested by a group of its future clients to validate it and put it on the market this year.

Valeo developed this system in collaboration with Effigear, a company specialized in the production of transmissions for electric bikes, and finally opted for a seven-speed gearbox directly integrated into the central motor. In this way, it was possible to create a unique device with compact dimensions. This design also allows to avoid the derailleur typical of bicycle gearboxes and enables the use of a belt drive instead of the classic chain, which is noisier and less fluid.

Valeo Smart ebike System – courtesy Heritage

You can already buy a Heritage Altitude, an e-mountain bike featuring a seven speed shifter fully integrated in the Valeo motor.

The advantages of a motor integrated transmission

• No need to waste time and concentration to shift gears on challenging off-road trails and city traffic, in case you have a Valeo-Effigear automatic gearbox.
• A better balanced ebike, since the shifter no longer weighs on the rear wheel, but low at the center of the ebike. The lower the weight, the better for handling and stability in the curves.
• Much easier to perform interventions on the rear wheel.
• The motor communicates directly with the shifter, rendering shifting smoother and easier.
• The ebike can mount displays and controls for motor and shifter at the same time, simplifying the handlebar and improving its ergonomics.
• An automatic shifter can be more easily installed and works better in the motor than in the rear hub.
• A motor integrated shifter can feature an antitheft blockage system, blocking the motor in case of theft.
• The shifter integrated into the motor is not exposed to dirt, dust, and pollution particles, as well as soiled grease from the chain. It stays much cleaner, and is also easier to lubricate. It would probably require some oil replacement every several thousand kilometers.

The Heritage Altitude with Valeo / Effigear integrated transmission

The first e-mountain bike to come to the market in 2022 with this motor integrated transmission was the Heritage Altitude. It is equipped with a Valeo motor delivering an awesome 130 Nm of torque, practically the highest for European ebikes limited to 250Wh. This eMTB is one-of-a-kind.

I’ve listened to somebody who’s tried it. He said that the transmission smoothly and harmoniously shifts gears according to your speed and acceleration. When you slow down, it smoothly downshifts. Riding it is pleasant and relaxing, and you can turn the shifter from automatic to sequential just pressing a button.

On the mountain bike trail, the path changes rapidly and constantly. One must rapidly adjust its posture, speed, according to the obstacles that he must overcome. Finding time and readiness to shift gears accordingly is a real challenge. With this automatic motor integrated transmission, mastering the hardest trails is much easier and pleasant.

Qwic premium-i auto – courtesy Qwic

The Qwic Premium i Auto

This elegant e-city bike the delivers 65 Nm of torque. Its hub shifter by Bafang and Enviolo works simalarly to that of a motor-integrated gearbox. The advantages it offers for riding through city traffic are evident. Bike accident can sometimes happen because the rider is distracted shifting gears. An automatic motor integrated transmission can considerably improve your ebike safety, rendering your rides more pleasant and relaxing.