Cycling Pro Road & Mtb

Fallbrook Introduces First Intelligent Bicycle Drivetrain

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Parent Category: Cycling Pro Road & Mtb

Category: News Cycling Pro Road & Mtb 2011

Published on Wednesday, 10 August 2011 10:59

Written by Luca Salvatelli

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Fallbrook Technologies Inc. introduces the first continuously variable shifting system offering the option to seamlessly shift automatically or manually.

The NuVinci Harmony intelligent drivetrain is an innovative and intuitive shifting system that leverages the unique benefits of the NuVinci N360™ to create a riding experience second to none. The new Harmony system is designed specifically for the fast growing and advancing e-Bike market.

CVT technology and auto-shifting – Redefining the bicycle drivetrain Leonardo da Vinci conceptualized it in 1490, Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz filed the first patent for it 400 years later, and Dutch car manufacturer DAF built the first affordable car with an automatic transmission based on it: The continuously variable transmission (CVT), which shifts through an infinite number of effective gear ratios between maximum and minimum settings. Fallbrook’s CVP, or continuously variable planetary, is an improved type of CVT.

A new era starts now as riders experience the next evolution in shifting that is truly automatic, without any limiting or jarring gear steps. This revolutionary system is rightfully named “Harmony.”

Simple and automatic operation for seamless e-Bike shifting only Harmony can deliver

What are the main advantages of the new Harmony system?

Smart -The weather-sealed system monitors pedal cadence and bicycle speed, then auto-adjusts the drive ratio to maintain the rider’s preferred cadence.

Simple - The primary connector quickly and easily disconnects for rear wheel removal easier than any other manual cable shifting system.

Smooth - The Harmony system is compatible with 12–48 volt e-Bike systems, and all shifting mechanics and logic reside inside the compact Harmony hub interface at the CVP.

At the heart of NuVinci Harmony lies the incredibly smooth-shifting bicycle drivetrain – NuVinci N360. The award-winning NuVinci CVP has revolutionized drivetrain technology with a new class of highly adaptable and scalable CVTs. Fallbrook Technologies was the first company to introduce a commercial bicycle CVT in 2007, and in 2010 presented a lighter, smaller, better shifting and more affordable model, the NuVinci N360 CVP.

"When designing the Harmony system, it was clear that we wanted to bring a new level of performance to bicycle shifting, while keeping it simple and intuitive. E-Bike manufacturers now have the ability to offer customers exactly what they want — a smooth and organic interaction between rider and bicycle that works automatically and seamlessly with the NuVinci N360 drivetrain," said Alan M. Nordin, President, Bicycle Division for Fallbrook Technologies Inc. Harmony Hub Interface Two controller versions optimize the ride – and increase comfort, safety and fun.

There is nothing like the sensation delivered by the Harmony Intelligent Drivetrain. Riders can choose between two controller options; Base and Advanced.

Base Controller

For riders who do not like shifting or for those who just prefer simplicity, the Harmony Base Controller (Base Controller) intelligently manages the ride by automatically maintaining the pedaling cadence the rider chooses. With its three-button automatic-only shifting, things are kept very simple: press a button and enjoy the ride! The cadence settings (typically slow – medium – fast) can be preset by the e-Bike manufacturer according to the bike and gearing specification. With the Base Controller option, the rider need never think about shifting again!

Advanced Controller

The Harmony Advanced Controller (Advanced Controller) offers both fully automatic and manual shifting options in one drivetrain. In ”Automatic” mode, Harmony automatically and continuously adjusts the drive ratio to maintain the rider’s preferred cadence. The Advanced Controller allows the rider to select and fine-tune their cadence set-point by twisting the shifter, where the blue LED “RPM” display indicates the setting.

Harmony will automatically and seamlessly maintain whatever cadence the rider selects. For manual operation, simply press the Advanced Controller “mode” button and the display will switch to an orange “hill” indicator. In this mode, the rider is able to directly control the NuVinci CVP ratio manually. Like the NuVinci N360 controller display, the larger the orange “hill” pictured on the smoothly changing display, the easier the ratio for climbing.

"While the Base Controller provides an easy path to automatic shifting, the Advanced Controller provides riders the most flexibility and control of the Harmony Intelligent Drivetrain," said Chris Vasiliotis, NuVinci product manager. "Some cyclists will want to shift on their own, while others will prefer not to think about shifting at all. Harmony’s Advanced Rider Controller satisfies all types of riders."

"The interest from OEM's is growing daily as they understand that when NuVinci N360 is combined with the auto-shift capabilities of Harmony, not only can shift performance be improved, but also vehicle range, durability, and overall ride quality," said Jack Brandsen, Fallbrook’s Director of Sales and Business Development, Europe.

Certain brands such as Panther, Union and Simpel already have Harmony equipped e-Bike models under development for the 2012 model year. “The simple and easy e-Bike ride experience created by Harmony also improves battery and motor performance”, said Kai Wippermann, Head of Marketing & Product Management at Pantherwerke. And, Philip Douglas, CEO, Founder of Simpel.ch noted: "After riding Harmony for a few hundred kilometers, I have to say that it’s a bit like a surprisingly affordable upgrade to business class travel."

Shifting has never been easier

It has never been easier to shift seamlessly through the 360º ratio range of the system’s award-winning NuVinci N360 CVP. The Harmony intelligent drivetrain is easily programmable by any e-Bike manufacturer, and offers a choice of cadence ranges as well as the option to provide seamless shifting. Harmony works with any electric front hub motor system as well as systems that are frame-mounted.

General Features and Specifications

Compatible with 12 – 48VDC e-Bike systems

360º ratio range: 0.5 underdrive to 1.8 overdrive

Harmony Hub Interface weight: less than 250g

Weather-sealed system with quick-release primary connector

Advanced Controller: dual mode, variable twist grip, ½ turn full rotation

Base Controller: 3-button, preset auto-only modes

Availability: at dealers early 2012

Warranty: two years

Manufactured in Taiwan

Price: Expect to see Harmony on e-Bikes with retail pricing starting at the 2,000 Euro range

NuVinci® N360™ CVP drivetrain

The NuVinci® N360™ CVP drivetrain provides an unparalleled riding and shifting experience allowing the rider to optimize the human-bicycle experience without the limitations of indexed gearing. It was also honored with a 2010 iFDesign / EUROBIKE award and is now offered by more than 40 international brands, including Accell Group (Batavus, Hercules), Breezer, Dahon, Dutch Bicycle Group (Union), Derby-Raleigh, Gepida, Hermann Hartje (Victoria), Merida/Centurion, PantherWerke, Robax, Simpel, Stevens and many more.