<\/a><\/p>\nLike a gearbox would, this new motor unit moves gear shifting duties from the a derailleur hanging off of the rear axle and relocates that function to the BB area. Great so far. Unlike a gearbox, there are not discreet gears inside. Wait, what?<\/p>\n
The MG Concept is a eCVT, or Electronically-Controlled Continuously Variable Transmission. In a car, that would automatically adjust the gearing as your speed, and with a bike, presumably cadence, changes.<\/p>\n
Which would be a kind of wild progression for e-bikes and, if the concept works off-road, eMTB.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t get too excited just yet. Forbidden says the concept bike is \u201cpurely a prototype\u201d that is being used to test the viability of the system off road.<\/p>\n
So, what do we do with this?<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease take from this that Forbidden is committed to staying in touch with new and emerging technology. Even more committed to learning and understanding any new tech and what advantages it may bring to mountain bikers on the trails.\u201d<\/p>\n
Didn\u2019t Avinox just release a new motor?<\/h2>\n
Yes, two of them. The M2S and M2. Those bikes are just arriving at market, and they are wildly powerful. There\u2019s no stats or numbers attached to this concept motor yet, but Avinox has proved capable of producing mega Watts, so I\u2019d expect more of the same.<\/p>\n
So why a new motor? If you\u2019re not already on the gearbox hype train, here\u2019s a taster:<\/p>\n
\u201cImproved reliability, less maintenance, a lower chance of damage, better weight distribution, improved unsprung\/sprung mass ratios,\u201d Forbidden explains, are all \u201cPrecieved advantages to tucking everything neatly into your BB area.\u201d<\/p>\n
Will it work? Who knows. Avinox has proved quite successful at disrupting the eMTB market so far. If anyone can break the derailleur\u2019s hold on cycling, not just break derailleurs, it would be the upstart motor brand (powered by global giant DJI).<\/p>\n
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