October 29, 2021 - Schaeffler AG, a German automotive manufacturer, introduced a chainless, electric drive system for the e-bike market at the final Eurobike show held in September at Friedrichshafen.

With decades of expertise in mobility solutions, the novel Schaeffler generator, dubbed Free Drive, sets constant resistance on the pedal while simultaneously absorbing the rider’s pedalling power. The innovative bike-by- wire technology is a joint development with two-wheel electric drive specialist, Heinzmann GmbH & Co. KG.

The regenerative solution is a serial hybrid drive that converts mechanical energy generated during pedalling into electrical energy, which in turn is converted back into mechanical energy in the wheel hub motor to drive the system. Any excess energy is stored in the battery.

This revolutionary chainless drive system opens up doors for new, innovative bicycle architecture and pedal configurations. Minimal wear and servicing are additional highlights of the new concept.

The Free Drive system generates a continuous output of 250 watts and consists of a pedal generator, drive motor, battery powerpack, and human- machine interface (HMI).

According to Schaeffler, the benefits of the Free Drive system can be applied to 2-, 3- or 4-wheel applications.

This is not Schaeffler’s first product innovation into the e-bike market, as they presented the mechatronic automatic gearshift system, Velomatic, back in 2016.