{"id":31458,"date":"2022-02-18T16:04:02","date_gmt":"2022-02-18T15:04:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=664859"},"modified":"2022-02-18T16:16:22","modified_gmt":"2022-02-18T15:16:22","slug":"is-sram-developing-an-ebike-motor","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/is-sram-developing-an-ebike-motor\/","title":{"rendered":"Is SRAM developing an ebike motor?"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>

By Tom Marvin\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Friday, 18 February 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

SRAM<\/a> may be developing a new electric mountain bike<\/a> motor system, and we may even see it \u2013 or a shroud covering it \u2013 later this year.<\/p>\n

The recent Enduro World Series 2022 team roster announcement included the new BlackBox Test Pilot Program team<\/a>\u2019s entry into the E-EWS \u2013 the racing series dedicated to electric mountain bikes.<\/p>\n

The team currently has a single rider \u2013 Yannick Pontal<\/a>, who recently left the (non-powered) Peugeot Pro Team, and races in the 35+ Masters category.<\/p>\n

Why do we think SRAM is working on an electric bike motor?<\/h2>\n
\""When\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
SRAM\u2019s BlackBox moniker has historically been used to indicate products that are still in development.<\/span><\/figcaption> Nathan Carvell \/ BikeRadar<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

While the release of the UCI and EWS team rosters usually ends the team transfer rumour merry-go-round, and occasionally hints that a brand may be about to release a new bike, it\u2019s rare that a component brand launches a team in its name.<\/p>\n

Key here is SRAM\u2019s entry into a series dedicated to a family of components that it currently does not offer.<\/p>\n

The \u2018BlackBox\u2019 moniker has historically been used by SRAM to signal prototype and racer-only products. Including this in the team name strongly suggests something top-secret and previously unseen is in the works.<\/p>\n

All of this strongly hints that the brand could well be working on an eMTB motor.<\/p>\n

Is this SRAM\u2019s first ebike motor?<\/h2>\n
\""SRAM\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Those who have been around long enough may recall SRAM\u2019s short-lived SPARC motor, which launched in 2002.<\/span><\/figcaption> SRAM<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

If SRAM is working on a new e-bike motor, this won\u2019t be its first.<\/p>\n

Way back in 2002, SRAM released its hub-based SPARC motor system, though this was aimed primarily at commuters.<\/p>\n

It was then rumoured in 2010<\/a> that SRAM was working on a new motor system as part of a joint venture with BionX, a subsidiary of motor parts manufacturer Magna.<\/p>\n

What do we know about the new SRAM ebike motor?<\/h2>\n

At the moment, we don\u2019t know anything concrete, or even if there really is a motor coming.<\/p>\n

However, we can piece together a few details at this stage and, as the year progresses, we should be able to garner more information, especially once the race season kicks off.<\/p>\n

This will allow us to see what bike Pontal will be riding, and thus hint at the architecture of the motor and drivetrain.<\/p>\n

At present, the team\u2019s sponsors are listed as SRAM, RockShox<\/a>, Zipp<\/a>, Time \u2013 all brands owned by the SRAM group \u2013 and Troy Lee Designs. No frame\/bike sponsor is mentioned.<\/p>\n

Yannick\u2019s Instagram account<\/a> is also, at the time of writing, very sparse on details about his new team.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s worth pointing out early on that all of this could be a bluff from SRAM \u2013 it is the title sponsor of a number of EWS and DH teams, so its appearance here isn\u2019t totally out of the ordinary.<\/p>\n

\""SRAM's\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
SRAM\u2019s EX1 drivetrain was designed specifically for ebikes.<\/span><\/figcaption> Victor Lucas\/SRAM<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

It\u2019s possible the brand is developing an AXS version of its ebike-specific EX1 drivetrain launched in 2016.<\/a> However, we feel this is unlikely.<\/p>\n

The 8-speed system, built to withstand the extra power an ebike delivers, never really took off. Its current 12-speed kit \u2013 both electronic and mechanical groupsets \u2013 has also been proven to be up to the job.<\/p>\n

RockShox and SRAM also have eMTB-rated forks and brakes in their respective ranges, so it would seem odd to build an entire product development team around this.<\/p>\n

Anyway, back to the (potential) motor\u2026 With entry into the E-EWS , we suspect it\u2019s likely any potential system will be a \u2018full-fat\u2019 motor, kicking out 70-90Nm of torque and complying with the 250W maximum power-output rules.<\/p>\n

\""The\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
It seems unlikely SRAM would be developing a Fazua-like system.<\/span><\/figcaption> Russell Burton \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

While lighter motor systems \u2013 such as Specialized\u2019s SL 1.1 motor found on the Turbo Kenevo SL<\/a>, or the removable Fazua system \u2013 exist, when it comes to the cut and thrust of E-EWS racing, it\u2019s highly unlikely that a racer would take the reduction in power that these lighter systems provide. It simply wouldn\u2019t be competitive.<\/p>\n

Enduro-ready eMTBs tend to be specced with 640-720Wh batteries. We imagine the system will be built around one of these larger battery packs, again, to remain competitive.<\/p>\n

\""Hammerhead\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
SRAM\u2019s recent acquisition of Hammerhead could be a hint of things to come.<\/span><\/figcaption> Hammerhead<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

SRAM has spent much of the past few years heavily developing its electronic hardware and software technologies, which now include the AXS wireless groupset family<\/a> and Reverb AXS seatpost<\/a>, Quarq TyreWiz<\/a> and ShockWiz<\/a> tyre pressure and suspension performance analytics, and Flight Attendant<\/a> automatic wireless control of fork and shock compression circuits.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, its recent acquisition of Hammerhead<\/a> gives it in-house GPS and display technology too.<\/p>\n

It isn\u2019t a stretch to imagine any motor it develops integrating these technologies \u2013 a wireless display and control buttons, ground-reading control of power levels and lots more could all be possible.<\/p>\n

Who will build the SRAM ebike motor?<\/h2>\n

A key question is whether this is a SRAM-led project, or whether it\u2019ll be a collaboration with an existing motor brand.<\/p>\n

For a brand \u2013 even of SRAM\u2019s size \u2013 to build its own motor from scratch is a serious undertaking, requiring specialist engineering knowledge and manufacturing capabilities. Shimano went down this route, and its gamble has paid off, so it wouldn\u2019t be unprecedented if SRAM chose to do so.<\/p>\n

However, it\u2019s not beyond the realms of possibility that the brand will partner with an established motor manufacturer to create a SRAM motor.<\/p>\n

Similar collaborations have already been seen across the industry \u2013 Yamaha has worked extensively (but not exclusively) with Giant on its bespoke system, while Brose has been tied largely to Specialized.<\/p>\n

Looking elsewhere, Bosch\u2019s motor sits alongside Shimano\u2019s EP8<\/a> as one of the most established and long-serving eMTB motor options, and as such, doesn\u2019t feel like a likely partner for the brand to us.<\/p>\n

\""Rocky\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Could we see SRAM go on a further spending spree?<\/span><\/figcaption> Margus Riga\/Rocky Mountain<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Haibike has its own FLYON system, which boasts a huge 120Nm of torque, while Rocky Mountain surprised everyone in 2017 with the launch of its Altitude Powerplay<\/a>, using a bespoke \u2013 and highly regarded \u2013 motor system only seen on the brand\u2019s bikes.<\/p>\n

Alternatively, we could see SRAM work with an electronics manufacturer that currently doesn\u2019t have an ebike motor, similar to its 2009 project with BionX.<\/p>\n

SRAM is well known for acquiring existing component manufacturers to fill gaps in its product range \u2013 as we saw with its acquisitions of Time pedals<\/a> and Hammerhead<\/a> \u2013 so perhaps we\u2019ll see news of future purchases as details of the system develops.<\/p>\n

Will a SRAM ebike motor have a gearbox?<\/h2>\n
\""An\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Gearboxes are a constant feature of the mountain bike tech rumour mill.<\/span><\/figcaption> Getty \/ Shimano<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n

Navel-gazing about future gearbox systems is a favourite pastime in the mountain bike world, with speculation about a potential Shimano or SRAM gearbox coming about almost annually.<\/p>\n

As yet, neither have pursued it seriously, though Shimano has a number of patents surrounding gearboxes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This is likely due to the difficulties in achieving high pedalling efficiencies from planetary or CVT gear systems, as well as the weight of such drivetrains.<\/p>\n

However, throw a motor into the mix and efficiency worries and weight can potentially be mitigated, because the power from the motor could mask a less efficient and heavier system.<\/p>\n

The potential benefits offered by a gearbox are numerous \u2013 better chainlines, improved weight distribution, extra reliability and no derailleur hanging around the rear wheel.<\/p>\n

\""Pinion\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Pinion is the only mainstream gearbox for a bike that has made any headway into the market.<\/span><\/figcaption> Pinion<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n

The question will be how much weight and complexity (and thus cost) this could add.<\/p>\n

As yet, no major eMTB motor system has integrated a gearbox into the drivetrain, so perhaps the time is right.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s fair to say SRAM is among the most disruptive mainstream manufacturers, bringing new ideas to market before the traditionally more conservative Shimano \u2013 the brand\u2019s wireless drivetrains on both road and mountain bikes being a key example.<\/p>\n

While SRAM may have been slow to bring a motor to market, maybe it has been putting the time to good use by integrating a gearbox into it.<\/p>\n

What does SRAM have to say?<\/h2>\n

We reached out to SRAM for comment but, perhaps unsurprisingly, the brand\u2019s lips remain sealed, other than to say that, as a company, it is always developing and experimenting with new technology.<\/p><\/body><\/html>\n

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