Enviolo Automatiq pushes boundaries for automatic CVT bicycle transmissions

Written by Greg Kopecky Sep 20, 2019 8:00 a.m. ET

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Enviolo announced the latest from their line of bicycle transmission products, the Automatiq. Using a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) design, it seamlessly and automatically changes gears – with updates for heavier loads and higher torque ratings requested by younger riders.

Enviolo Automatiq CVT bicycle transmission

Enviolo showed their new Automatiq transmission at Eurobike 2019, with OEM partners like cargo-bike-specialist, Tern Bicycles. The Automatiq system shifts automatically (duh) based on variables such as speed, cadence, and terrain.

The new system uses a CVT design with an improved shift motor, allowing for heavier loads and higher torque input from the rider compared to previous models.

Five different “Groupsets” are available for OEMs to choose from – essentially different versions of the transmission with different gear ranges, torque input ranges, and max vehicle weight. Options include City, Trekking, Sportive, Cargo, and Commercial.

Enviolo’s app allows you to configure your system, diagnose and update software, and more.

The Automatiq system is available as a 2020 product with partners such as Bergstrom, Brinckers, HNF-Nicolai, Koga, Tern, Urban Arrow, and Winora.

Enviolo.com

Greg Kopecky

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23 Comments

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Velo Kitty

4 years ago

How does the CVT work?

JBikes

4 years ago

How young are these torque monsters?

Jeff Hencher

4 years ago

Why are none of the cyclists in the video wearing helmets? Even the little girl in the front of the cargo bike is bare-headed! This is 2019. Concussions are a thing!

-2

JBikes

4 years ago

Reply to Jeff Hencher

Because its Europe and one is unlikely to fall when just casually riding along at a slower pace on a well designed bike lane.

4 years ago

Reply to JBikes

It’s a dutch company and in The Netherlands commuters don’t wear helmets at all. Our infrastructure has been designed on the fact that nearly everyone goes to work or school by bike, so normally you will be able to do 95% of your route on separated bike lanes (where no mopeds are allowed). Also on those last 5%, it’s normally streets with a speed limit of 30km/h and car drivers are extremely careful with cyclists, as maybe they might be in the car at that moment, but for short distances they ride their bicycle too, so they know how it feels to cycle near cars. Therefore, if you ride your bike at average commuter speed, around 15km/h, it’s totally safe to ride a bike without a helmet here. But yes, this country is indeed a rare exception, in most other countries I would wear a helmet too and I also do for road cycling and mtb.

Humpty Dumpty

4 years ago

Reply to M.

Oh..I get it, so in Europe cyclists never fall off bikes because of road or weather conditions & American cyclists are only hit by cars.
I didn’t know that if you fall on your head below 15km/h you can’t get hurt.
Maybe, we have to wear helmets here because of all the dangerous mopeds we have on the bike paths. I guess ebikes moving at 25km/h couldn’t possibly cause a problem either.

-3

Bmx

4 years ago

Reply to Jeff Hencher

Jeff. Most accidents happen in the home hope your wearing a helmet typing that.

Marc Smith

4 years ago

Reply to Jeff Hencher

Welcome to the rest of the world. Where cyclists are not a nuisance for the city but basically own it within central infrastrcture. (I wear a helmet on the road on my madone), I cant be bothered for a helmet when I am grocery shopping or going to the museum or work via protected lanes for 50-60 km (yeah its kilometers bro, like ROW).

Maxxevv

4 years ago

Its looks to be a Nuvinci hub mated to a wireless, programmable, eletronic gear shifter.

typevertigo

4 years ago

Reply to Maxxevv

Yep, because Enviolo is Nuvinci’s new identity. They started using this name at the beginning of 2018.

Brad Sedola

4 years ago

Reply to typevertigo

I didn’t want to be the first guy to ask that question either. I thought it looked similar to the Nuvinci.

BikeHoarder6

4 years ago

“Five different “Groupsets” are available for OEMs to choose from – essentially different versions of the transmission with different gear ranges, torque input ranges, and max vehicle weight. Options include City, Trekking, Sportive, Cargo, and Commercial.”

So what determines cadence? The chainrings of the groupsets? Or can you customize the cadence thru the phone app?

Marc Smith

4 years ago

Reply to BikeHoarder6

I can only speak for the cargo version but this is linked to Bosches new high cadence high torq motor for cargo. There are 1000 measurments a minute so its not clear how its link I just know its really bad ass. Personnaly I would opt for a chain-derailleur because of my mechanics background but a cargo bike just eats it up. So enviolo and belt is quite nice now but mucho dollares.

Zoot

4 years ago

Reply to BikeHoarder6

You can set the cadence on the Bosch head unit or in the phone app. Cadence “zones” are also programmable based on speed, so you can have a lower cadence at lower speeds and still have shifting.

Jason West

4 years ago

I think its cool. If I had a commuter or neighborhood bike l would sport one these things.

MtnRanch

4 years ago

Just looked at the Enviolo website and there’s strangely almost no information. What’s the gear range? What’s the efficiency? How much torque will it handle?

Jimmy T

4 years ago

Reply to MtnRanch

The max torque depends on the gear ratio fitted and the hub being used (the bike maker chooses those.). If you dig around you will find the info on the website. The max torque isn’t related to the shifter so don’t look for details there.

Ben

4 years ago

For technical info go to support.enviolo.com this is where they hide all the technical details. They have hubs with up to 380% ratio range, but don’t mention efficiency. They can take up to 120 Nm according to their tech manual, not bad for an IGH.

Krapper

4 years ago

Envilo is the shifter. Nuvinchi seems to be the CVT

EcoRacer

4 years ago

Reply to Krapper

Nuvinci rebranded their whole bike range to Enviolo a while ago. I guess, to confuse the hell out of everyone. So both the hubs and shifter are called Enviolo now.

Marc Smith

4 years ago

Reply to EcoRacer

yep !

Croped

2 years ago

Now you’re taking it personally more than constructively… Of course people can get hit by cars in Europe. It depends on cultural expectations too and if you live in Amsterdam, you’ll know you have to be careful with the bicycle drivers. Not all cities have that driving mindset… But Europe is also very big, and comparing the US to Europe is also a big generalization (I know, JBikes started it…). As Humpty Dumpty mentioned , Netherlands is more the exception that the rule. Copenhagen is another big cycling city, people don’t always wear helmets there either, but I’m not sure traffic is safer there. Many European cities are actually not that safe for cyclists. But the Netherlands generally is, and its roads bike routes are very well maintained across the entire country.