Is the bicycle chain dead?
Ever since I kept destroying my bikes as a teenager, I was eager to find solutions that would “just work” and not break so easily. Call me stubborn, but that search has shaped my career over the last 30 years and led to some innovation in the market. I embraced internal gear hubs and was one of the first to implement the Gates Belt Drive system onto my bikes. I also built frames that would protect the chain and provide a reliable drivetrain for bike sharing.
But getting rid of the bicycle chain completely? Eureka!
When I first talked about this idea in 2004 with Swiss physicist Andreas Fuchs, it sounded almost too good to be true. But with the rise of the e-bike the concept became more interesting and major players like Mando and Schaeffler started working on it. So when the opportunity arose to join the Mocci project I didn’t hesitate and jumped on board.
After 4 years of working towards a market-ready chainless drive system, I have learned a lot. I see the huge potential but also learned about the challenges and limitations. So is the bicycle chain dead?
To answer this, let me first explain how a chainless bike actually works: You pedal into a generator to generate electric power. This human-generated power is then combined with battery power and is then powering one or multiple hub motors. Ideally, the generator will give you biomechanical feedback that feels much like pedalling with a chain or belt drive.
The main advantage is of course less wear and tear for the drive system because this setup is almost maintenance-free.
Other advantages are:
– Reliability
– Freedom in frame design and lean multi-wheel powertrain design
– Extended digital playfield
However, there are also disadvantages:
– Increased initial cost
– Stronger motor needed
– Lower drivetrain efficiency
– Increased weight
– Increased noise levels
I guess I could write a whole article about all of the points above, but for now, I will try to answer the question about the death of the bicycle chain:
Nope, it’s not dead yet. The current chainless systems make a lot of sense for professional heavy-use utility scenarios on cargo bikes and will certainly develop further from there. With the decrease in price and weight, the use cases will grow. But for end consumers the revolution isn’t around the corner just yet.