Eurobike 2012: MTB Cycletech talks about digitalized mobility

The Swiss bike manufacturer had already exhibited the Greenwheel drive system at Eurobike in 2011; this year, the bike is ready for the market and comes with a corresponding application for the iPhone. Also new in Friedrichshafen are e-bikes equipped with the Acron drive. And Velobaze also has news for full-suspension mountain bikes.

The E-Tool, a BionX-powered bike from the Swiss manufacturer's portfolio, is getting a replacement: George Merachtsakis, Managing Director of Velobaze, the company that manufactures MTB Cycletech bikes, has made contact with Electragil, the electromobility specialist from Hengart. For the 2013 season, MTB Cycletech is fitting the innovative Acron drive to the "Tool Acron" men's bike and the "Pura Vida Acron" women's bike.

Since TdS Rad AG, Electragil's cooperation and development partner, has exclusive rights to market the Acron system throughout Switzerland, MTB Cycletech's Acron bikes will only be sold on the German market.

Greenwheel goes into series production
In the market-ready version, the Greenwheel drive comes with a modified battery that should ensure a range of around 50 kilometers. The drive communicates with the iPhone, but control via Android smartphone is also planned. MTB Cycletech markets the Greenwheel platform exclusively, and the "e-Jalopy Greenwheel" should be available for the first time in Switzerland in spring 2013.

Pinion at Papalagi
Kilian Ianucci, responsible for product management and vehicle design at Velobaze, has also further developed the bikes beyond electromobility. A new version of the Pagalagi touring bike will be on show at MTB Cycletech's redesigned Eurobike stand: the Pinion gearbox is integrated into the "Papalagi P1". The German gearbox newcomer can go into series production from late summer. Ianucci is convinced by the combination of the Papalagi with the Pinion gearbox, emphasizing in particular the simplicity, low maintenance and gear range of the drive.

Opium in 650b
For MTB Cycletech, too, the advantages of the middle ground between 26 and 29 inches outweigh the disadvantages. For the 2013 season, the Opium platform is being extended to the 650b wheel size. The "Opium 6 650b" bike offers 120 millimeters of travel at the rear and a Rock Shox Revelation with 130 millimeters of travel at the front. The exotic "Opium 6 69er" presented at last year's Eurobike remains part of the Opium range, which also aims to combine the advantages of the 26er and 29er wheel sizes: a 26er wheel in the rear triangle and a 29er wheel in the fork.

www.mtbcycletech.com