e-bike market
Integrated circuit – Valeo launches revolutionary e-bike motor in spring
Disadvantage: The Valeo engine is significantly larger than the drives of the competition.
© Valeo / PR
No more problems with the bike gears. The new e-bike motor from Valeo will be in stores this season. For the first time, circuit and motor are integrated in one housing.
In 2020, the French car supplier Valeo announced that they wanted to revolutionize the e-bike motor. So far, the engine and circuit have been separate components, even if they are controlled in combination by some suppliers. Valeo, on the other hand, integrates the gearbox and engine in a single body. Both can be optimally coordinated with each other. Above all, however, the high torque of the engine only acts on components that have been designed to withstand these forces.
powerful engine
A 7-speed gearbox was created together with Effigear. A gear change takes less than a tenth of a second. The rear wheel is driven by a maintenance-free carbon belt drive. The electric motor works with 78 volts and delivers a torque of 130 Nm.
The automatic transmission works directly with the pedals. Motor support and gear selection are automatically adapted to the pedaling power. Technically, it should be easily possible in the future to intervene manually in the gear selection. Shifting errors that can destroy conventional derailleur gears are not possible with this system. The advantage of the solution is that the gearbox is perfectly matched to the engine.
Above all, the power development in the range of 130 Nm has a destructive effect on the bicycle gear system in the event of shifting errors. A hub gear usually does not tolerate this force at all. Due to the integration in the housing, the circuit can neither be misaligned nor paralyzed by dirt. The system replaces several wearing components of the wheel at the same time. It also greatly reduces the amount of wiring required. The system is capable of learning and should be able to adapt to the style of the cyclist. It also has an immobilizer and a pushing aid.
feel of the engine
130 Nm is a very decent torque. For comparison: The Performance Line CX from Bosch achieves 85 Nm. It is currently unclear how the Valeo motor “feels” – manufacturers such as Bosch, Brose and Shimano attach great importance to maintaining a cycling experience despite the motor power. Up until now, the main problem with an integrated solution for motor and transmission has been the waste heat. 130 Nm – especially at low speeds – always leads to a great deal of heat being generated, which the housing must be able to absorb without active cooling. In the EU, the power will be 250 W, and the speed will be capped at 25 km/h. In fact, the engine will be able to do far more.
Ideal for cargo bikes
With 130 Newton meters, Valeo starts at the top. In this way, the superlative also generates the desired attention. However, this is a bit too strong for a bicycle feeling. In addition to the applications mentioned for today’s pedelecs, it would also be an ideal motor for somewhat heavy vehicles. Changes in the law already allow an e-bike to transport a passenger. A real two-person bike also needs a powerful drive. The Valeo engine is said to effortlessly take a cargo bike with a total weight of 150 kilograms up inclines of 14 percent.
14 companies are participating
Series production is scheduled to begin in spring 2022. Like Bosch and Brose, Valeo will not build its own bikes. At the start, 14 companies want to offer the new drive. The price should be particularly interesting. In any case, if the combined system is cheaper than the previous combinations, it should be a success because of its “worry-free” promise.