The Secret Companies in the E-Bike Business

You may have heard of E-Bikes. But what you may not know is how many unexpected companies are investing in this technology.

“E” stands for “electric,” but it doesn’t mean the bike does all the work. E-bikes are electric assisted vehicles and are the biggest craze in the bicycling industry. Ciclismo Classico has the Bianchi Manhattan available on almost every departure. You can imagine the amount of debate surrounding the “ethical” question: should you get a mechanical boost going up a hill? However, anyone who previously thought they weren’t in shape to pedal a regular bike, now, has no excuse.

The trend expands beyond bicycle companies. Apart from the bike manufacturers who are making many e-bikes (from commuter to mountain, to gravel, and beyond) it is not just bicycle-centric companies. There are a few companies you wouldn’t have imagined being in the “race” of bicycling technology.

Here are a few to get you up to speed.

General Motors

General Motors announced last year it would launch into the e-bike business. This new brand (called ARIV) now has two bikes in its gallery: a compact electric bike called Meld, and a folding version called Merge. GM is diversifying its long history of motor vehicle manufacturing by going from cars to bikes.

They call the ARIV a “connected bicycle.” The bike connects directly to GM’s app, giving riders all kinds of information regarding speed, distance, remaining battery level, and much more. A mounted “Quad Lock” (popular on motorcycles) allows the user to lock their smartphone on the handlebars as a cycle computer. GM plans several more programs in its app specific to the user experience (for example, how to arrive at a certain destination sweat-free).

With a speed capacity of up to 25 kph, these bikes offer four levels of assisted pedaling. The bikes come with GM’s battery technology, allowing cyclists to travel 64km on a single charge. Whereas the battery changes in less than 3.5 hours.

Bosch

Bosch is a household name. Today it’s also into the bike manufacturing business.

This German company is most famous for its circular saws and hundreds of household appliances. The Bosch e-bike systems began as a start-up in 2009 and have rapidly grown in popularity. With durable batteries, solid drive-units, and historical reliability, it is no wonder the bike industry’s top manufacturers are using Bosch motors to power their e-bike systems.

Which manufacturers are using Bosch? Almost everyone.

Bianchi, Cannondale, Trek, Scott, and LaPierre are just a few. There are hundreds of companies mounting Bosch technology in their electric assist line. As one pioneer in e-bike technology, Bosch has come a long way.

In addition, Bosch is making lighter motor and drive systems. As motors get smaller and stronger the materials will get quieter. In the future, you may never know who is running a Bosch motor on their bike.

Yamaha

It probably comes as no surprise that a motorcycle company would produce a motorized bicycle (or e-bike). What may be a shock is discovering Yamaha created its first electric power assist bicycle in 1993. Since then, the company has sold over 2 million of its own electric bicycles (and over 4 million of its own motors).

Last year the Japanese company unveiled the full specs of its new line of electric bicycles. There are two new commuting models and one adventure bicycle. Yamaha equipped the bikes with one of their new PWSeries motor (with four different levels of pedal assist) and they paired all the drives with a 500 watt-hour, 36-volt battery pack.

However, the impressive bit isn’t just about the motor. Yamaha’s pedal-assist bikes begin with their CrossConnect line: putting the priority on comfort and convenience for any daily commute or errand-running. There is an air-sleeve suspension fork with an adjustable compress. They also integrated components like LED lights on the front and back and cargo racks.

Yet, they’re not the only motorcycle company to make an e-bike: BMW and Specialized have teamed up as well to make one of the hottest e-bikes on the planet.

LG Chem

LG is a South Korean manufacturer of electrical components. You’re seen their smartphones, tablets, televisions, and speakers in tech stores. What you’re probably unaware of is LG as a pioneer in the e-bike battery business. They appeared at Eurobike for the first time in 2015, showing off their lithium-ion battery line and the technology in energy storage and high-quality cells.

Samsung and Sanyo are also on the bandwagon for the e-bike battery industry. Soon enough you will see more of these brands on your bike battery than you will at home, sitting on your couch.

And that’s a good thing.