ENDUOTM EVOLVE COMPETITIVE CYCLING 2O21 03 INTRODUCTION

05 THE ISSUE WITH CURRENT DRIVETRAIN SOLUTIONS

10 INTRODUCING THE ENDUO™ EVOLVE

16 WORK WITH US

17 METHODOLOGY & APPENDIX

18 GLOSSARY OF TERMS

CONTENTS 02 01 OUTLINE

IMPORTANCE OF FOCUS ON SHIFT TO NEW THE SAME MARGINAL GAINS AERODYNAMICS DRIVETRAINS MATERIALS FUNDAMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES In competitive cycling, Traditionally, cycling teams Recently, there has Despite aluminium Competitive cycling is still where a place on the (especially track cycling been a shift in focus components being flooded with bikes using podium is decided by teams) have primarily from aero to drivetrains, commonplace and effective the same fundamental milliseconds, it is never focused on aerodynamics where manufacturers are in cycling applications, roller chain and sprocket been so apparent that – increasing efficiency increasingly expanding carbon fibre is considered design that was invented marginal gains play a through minimising losses the size of chainrings superior for the stiffness, in 1880 by Hans Renold, considerable role in the caused by wind drag. and sprockets in order weight-saving and aesthetic and has remained largely creation of champions. to increase power benefits that it brings. unchanged ever since. With transparent data, transmission efficiency This is evidenced clearly wind tunnels and high-end from the rider to the bike. It is no longer rare for This limits the efficiency, by Team GB and Team testing facilities, we are cyclists to use carbon fibre lifetime, and material Sky (now Ineos) dominating now learning more than But there’s a limit to how chainrings, although the potential of current cycling under Dave Brailsford ever about aerodynamic much you can increase proposed performance drivetrains on the market. following an increased performance. the size of a component benefits these bring are focus on marginal gains. before it starts to have a controversial within the detrimental impact on the cycling community. aerodynamics and overall weight of the bike.

INTRODUCTION 03 “ INNOVATION HAS BEEN SWIFT AND DRAMATIC OVER THE YEARS, BUT THE ONE THING THAT NEVER SEEMED TO CHANGE WAS THE CHAIN AND DRIVETRAIN COMPONENTS.

Marc O’Brien Spellman Dublin Port

INTRODUCTION 04 ENERGY LOSSES Take away: there are three primary 02 frictional loss interfaces.

In a chain-drive bicycle drivetrain, there THE ISSUE WITH are multiple sources of energy loss, including damping and striking energy. But the most significant source of loss is that of friction, which occurs at five CURRENT DRIVETRAIN key contact interfaces in the drivetrain.

SOLUTIONS Bush–roller

HOW DRIVETRAINS WORK “ Roller–tooth Link plate–sprocket Every single watt of Every competitive track and road bicycle power is transmitted drivetrain uses a fundamentally identical through the drivetrain, so even a small method to transfer power from the pedals percentage to the wheel: a roller chain wrapped of improvement can around a sprocket and chainring. In result in significant almost every case, the tooth design reductions of loss and therefore increases in of different sprockets and chainrings performance.” are indistinguishable, and yet there are – significant drivetrain losses associated Dan Bigham Pin–bush with existing tooth designs. Wattshop / HUUB Wattbike

Link plate–link plate

THE ISSUE WITH CURRENT DRIVETRAIN SOLUTIONS 05 In well-aligned, single-speed drivetrains, “ LIMITATION I: RELATIVE MOVEMENT the frictional losses associated with the Aside from performance, those lost watts are To enable engagement and link plates can be neglected, meaning actually wearing disengagement from the sprocket, that the primary loss mechanisms of away your drivetrain the roller is made smaller than the interest are pin-bush, bush-roller and components, decreasing product life and gulley in which it sits, allowing the roller-tooth losses. therefore increasing the roller to rotate, push and pull on cost of your drivetrain the side of the sprocket tooth. The pie chart below shows the system.” contribution of each of these interfaces – Dan Bigham (Wattshop / Unfortunately, this difference in diameter to the total frictional losses in the HUUB Wattbike causes additional movement between drivetrain. the roller and the tooth through the sprocket rotation, the net effect of which is to incur unnecessary losses at this interface, decreasing the lifetime and Contribution of interfaces to total frictional losses performance of the drivetrain.

Pin-bush Bush-roller 72% 21%

Roller- sprocket 7%

THE ISSUE WITH CURRENT DRIVETRAIN SOLUTIONS 06 LIMITATION II: HIGHLY LOADED The load on the bush-roller interface ” ARTICULATIONS depends on the contact force applied In a sport where one second is a lifetime and on the roller by the tooth, while that on Frictional losses originate wherever 10 watts is 1st or last, the pin-bush interface arises from the any improvements are surfaces slide against one another under combination of the chain tension applied welcomed with open a contact load. In the standard roller arms.” and the roller-tooth contact force. The chain setup, these losses occur primarily – shape of the tooth is very important in the tense side of the chain where Marc O’Brien in governing the force at the sliding Spellman Dublin Port the chain is wrapping or unwrapping interfaces, and therefore the frictional around the sprocket or chainring, losses in the system. known as chain articulation.

The chain articulation causes significant sliding between the pins, bushes and rollers as the bodies are forced to rotate relative to one another through the articulation. The input power from the rider simultaneously applies a very high tension to the chain, which causes the sliding to occur under very high contact loads.

Articulation link

THE ISSUE WITH CURRENT DRIVETRAIN SOLUTIONS 07 ROLLER CHAIN Energy loss ARTICULATION TYPE Inner link Comparing these two types of When considering the source of articulation, it can be found that more the articulation losses, in particular energy is lost in a bush articulation the pin-bush and bush-roller losses than in a pin articulation because of previously shown, a distinction must the larger number of interfaces that be made between the different types slide during the bush articulation. of articulation: pin articulations and bush articulations. These different These articulation types alternate with articulation types are a result of the every articulation of the chain because two types of link – the inner (narrower) of the alternating inner and outer links link and outer (wider) link. in the chain’s construction. This means that it is almost impossible to completely Pin articulation eliminate either articulation type. The outer links articulate via what are known as pin articulations. In this case, Outer link the inner link remains stationary relative to the sprocket, while the outer link rotates about. This rotation of the outer link, and corresponding pin, causes sliding between the pin and the static bush, inducing a loss at this interface. LOST WATTS Well-documented physical Bush articulation testing research shows that roller The inner links articulate via bush chain drive efficiency reaches articulations, where it is the outer link values of up to 98%, dependent that does not move relative to the on the conditions applied to the sprocket, while the inner link rotates. drivetrain. This equates to 20 The effect of this is that there is sliding watts loss at an input power on the inner surface of the bush between of 1000W. the bush and static pin, as well as on the outer surface of the bush between the bush and static roller.

THE ISSUE WITH CURRENT DRIVETRAIN SOLUTIONS 08 WHY SPROCKETS MATTER For this reason, the best approach to THE ONLY CURRENT SOLUTION: reduce drivetrain losses is undoubtedly LUBRICATION AND SURFACE Within track cycling, a common trend to focus on reducing losses at the TREATMENT is to focus on reducing the losses rear sprocket in combination with associated with the chainring, with Outside of a design change, the only the chainring to offer the greatest less of a focus on the sprocket. thing cyclists can currently do to combat possible increase in efficiency the implications of relative movement, over the entire drivetrain. However, only 20% of drivetrain losses high loads and unnecessary friction, is to actually occur at the chainring, compared mitigate the sliding friction by applying to the 80% lost at the sprocket. This lubrication and other treatments to is because the articulation angles of component surfaces. the chain when wrapping around the sprocket are so much larger than those Despite there being a wide range of at the chainring. lubricants on the market, the differences in relative performance are unclear and they have a very limited capacity to improve a drivetrain’s efficiency before other factors play a more significant role. Comparison of sprocket and chainring energy losses

Sprocket

Pin-bush Bush-roller Chainring Roller-tooth

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Articulation loss (%)

THE ISSUE WITH CURRENT DRIVETRAIN SOLUTIONS 09 INTRODUCING THE

The Enduo™ Evolve is a revolutionary conventional drivetrains, increasing Up to new sprocket design developed overall efficiency and lifetime of the Watch the exclusively by New Motion Labs. chain, chainrings and sprockets. explainer video 30% increase in drive lifetime By enabling the roller chain to securely The Evolve benefits competitive cyclists engage on both sides of the sprocket across all events. By minimising the tooth – otherwise known as Dual amount of energy lost through the Up to Engagement – the Enduo™ Evolve offers drivetrain, athletes are able to transfer many advantages over conventional more power and race even faster. 1% technologies, including increased higher efficiency drivetrain efficiency, longer lifetime and less friction. LESS This design drastically reduces the frictional losses witnessed on WEIGHT

ENDUO EVOLVE 10 BENEFIT I However, unlike conventional roller chain BENEFIT II PREVENTING RELATIVE MOVEMENT chainrings/sprockets, the roller on the REDUCING ARTICULATION LOSSES other side of the tooth is a supporting In the roller pairs which engage each Standard roller-chain sprockets are roller. While this roller does not apply tooth of the Enduo™ Evolve, each roller subject to the detrimental frictional torque directly to the sprocket/chainring, performs a different function on the effects of bush articulations. The it supports the load-bearing roller on tooth. One roller is load-bearing, meaning Enduo™ Evolve enables higher efficiency the tooth and prevents roller movement that its primary role is to transmit load drivetrains by significantly mitigating the and any losses associated with such between the sprocket and the chain. effects of these critical bush articulations. movement on the tooth. It is able to do this because of its On a conventional chainring/sprocket, alternating roller types: supporting every roller is load-bearing, performing and load-bearing rollers. exactly the same function. The load on the supporting roller is much less than that on the load-bearing roller. By ensuring that the supporting roller always articulates via a bush articulation, the effect of the inefficient,

Supporting Load-bearing but unavoidable, bush articulation is greatly reduced, increasing drivetrain efficiency overall.

The teeth of the Evolve sprockets and chainrings can, in theory, engage either the outer or the inner links of a standard roller chain. However, to achieve the maximum efficiency, the Evolve sprocket teeth should always engage the outer (wider) links of the roller chain.

Chain tension

ENDUO EVOLVE 11 BENEFIT III BENEFIT IV MAINTAINING EFFICIENCY PROLONGING LIFETIME THROUGHOUT THE LIFETIME An inevitability when using a roller chain The elongation described above is a is that over time the chain elongates, result of wear at the pin-bush interface or ‘stretches’, due to wear, reducing of the roller chain. As material is removed the efficiency of the drive and wearing from these components, the tense chain down the other drive components. A gets longer. The rate at which this certain amount of elongation is allowable, material is removed is once again typically up to 0.75%. Nevertheless, a result of the combined effect of the ADAPT YOUR chain stretch has a deleterious effect tooth shape and the articulation type DRIVETRAIN TO on the efficiency of the conventional on the component forces and sliding YOUR REQUIREMENTS roller-chain drives. during articulation. _ However, for the Enduo™ Evolve, unlike It turns out that bush-pin wear The Evolve enables the rider conventional chainrings and sprockets, associated with pin articulations is to choose a drivetrain to the effect of chain elongation does not much more significant than that with suit the requirements of their have such a negative impact on the bush articulations because the force specific event. drivetrain’s efficiency, in fact, the on the interface during a pin articulation articulation losses decrease! This is significantly higher. By engaging the Evolve teeth is because of the nature with the outer links of the of the alternative roller Once again, the Evolve can be used to roller chain, Enduo enables types (load-bearing and mitigate the effect of the wear-critical the fastest ever drivetrains. supporting) that adopt pin articulation, and enhance the benefit different positions as the of the bush articulation, by ensuring that By engaging the Evolve teeth chain elongates. This the supporting roller always articulates with the inner links of the roller means that Evolve via a pin articulation, and the load- chain, Enduo enables riders to technologies deliver bearing roller always articulates via cycle further than ever before. higher performance for a bush articulation. longer time periods throughout the To achieve this jump in chain lifetime, the lifetime of the drive Evolve chainring/sprocket teeth should system. engage the inner links of the roller chain.

ENDUO EVOLVE 12 KEY FACTS EVOLVE VS EXISTING TECHNOLOGY

Number of teeth component, the increase is not sufficient to cause any noticeable change in the To facilitate Dual Engagement, Evolve component lifetimes. sprockets and chainrings have half the number of teeth of corresponding “ Chain polygon It’s very easy to throw all ™ conventional sprockets, maintaining an Enduo Evolve sprocket of your focus into bike equal number of points of articulation on Nevertheless, the standard half inch frames and wheels and the sprocket. This allows for the same roller chain wraps neatly around the aerodynamic gains, diameters as conventional sprockets. Evolve sprocket to form a near-identical people generally don’t polygon shape to that of existing think about the efficiencies of drivetrains. Evolve chainrings and sprockets only drivetrain sprockets. – support even numbers of teeth, meaning Eamonn Byrne that a conventional 14T sprocket Manufacturing Irish tandem track cyclist corresponds to a 7T Evolve sprocket The design also has little effect at the same diameter; a conventional on existing sprocket manufacturing 60T chainring corresponds to a 30T techniques, as the minimum machining Evolve chainring at the same diameter. radius of Evolve components is the same as that of standard sprockets, The reduction in number of teeth for enabling an effortless upgrade to Evolve the same sized sprocket has very little technologies for everyone involved. effect on the strength of the sprocket and chainring; while there is some additional load on the first tooth engaged on each Evolve vs existing technology

ENDUO EVOLVE 13 “ WHEN LOOKING AT EVERY DETAIL OF THE PROCESS, SOMETHING LIKE DRIVETRAIN OPTIMISATION IS HUGE, AND THE EVOLVE WILL BE A HUGE STEP FORWARD IN SPEED AND EFFICIENCY

Ashton Lambie Team USA

ENDUO EVOLVE 14 SO HOW DOES CYCLE FURTHER The Evolve also offers cyclists ™ the chance to go significantly further using a single chain, ENDUO BENEFIT reducing the frequency of replacement required. CYCLISTS?

GAIN WATTS Dependent on the power and speed, tests suggest up to a 1% increase in drivetrain efficiency, saving up to 20 watts per 2000 watts outputted. In a sport where marginal gains are critical, efficiency is paramount.

TRAIN AND COMPETE FOR LONGER The Evolve also helps to maintain efficiency over longer periods of time, allowing riders to go faster for longer.

ENDUO EVOLVE 15 04 Drivetrain manufacturers We partner with manufacturers through IP licensing partnerships. For our launch HOW CAN YOU year, we are offering a royalty-free license for selling of Enduo technology to professional teams for the first year. WORK WITH NEW Through the licensing partnership, manufacturers can expect tailored support, including design specifications MOTION LABS? and sales and marketing support. Bicycle manufacturers At New Motion Labs, deep-tech For manufacturers of complete bicycle innovation is at the core of our ethos and systems, partnerships look slightly we accomplish this through technology different. Contact us to source an development and licensing partnerships appropriate drivetrain manufacturer with drive manufacturers and startups. – we will be able to introduce you to Our goal is introduce a new standard a drivetrain manufacturer that can enabling manufacturers to make game- provide Enduo™ technology. changing products. Cycling teams and athletes For the competitive cycling market, we’re Cycling is the best testbed for drivetrain actively seeking partnerships with both development and we are constantly bicycle and drivetrain manufacturers, as seeking partnerships with athletes and well as cycling teams and their respective teams who share our passion. From athletes, highlighted. inception we have developed, tested and tailored our designs to athletes as part of a mutually beneficial relationship.

WORK WITH US 16 05 METHODOLOGY AND APPENDIX

TESTING We’ve carried out numerous tests – both digital and physical – to determine the lifetime, wear resilience and efficiency of our technology.

Our efficiency test results from the National Physics Laboratory (NPL) are described in detail here.

METHODOLOGY AND APPENDIX 17 OTHER TECHNICAL TERMS Licensing A business arrangement in which one company gives another company permission to manufacture its product Aerodynamics for a specified payment. The study of the properties of moving air and the interaction between the air and solid bodies Link-plate moving through it. The roller chain component forming the side walls of all of the links in the chain – both inner and outer. Often inner Articulation and outer links have different link plates, although their The relative rotation of links when engaging/disengaging function is the same, to transmit tension along the chain. from the sprocket/chainring. 06 Marginal gains Bush Small incremental improvements in any process The component of the roller chain that connects the inner resulting in a significant improvement when they GLOSSARY plates of the inner link. It houses the pin of an adjacent are all added together. outer link, and sits inside the roller of the chain. Outer links Chainring Two outer plates held together by pins passing through OF TERMS The larger, front sprocket on a bicycle. the bushings of the inner links. Drivetrain Pin The combination of all of the power-transmitting The component of the roller chain that connects the components on the bicycle. Typically includes the outer plates of the outer link. It sits inside the bush chainring, chain and sprocket. of the inner link.

Elongation Relative movement The inevitable increase in the length of a chain A change in position that is based on the previous as it is used, sometimes known as ‘chain stretch’, current position. arising from wear between the pin and bush in the chain. It is generally advised to replace chains once Roller they elongate by 0.75% to avoid excessive wear The chain component that makes contact with the teeth to other components. of the sprocket. It sits around the bush and is free to rotate. Its purpose is to reduce component wear and NEW MOTION LABS TERMS Gulley to improve drivetrain efficiency. The semi-circular cutout in between the teeth of Sprocket Dual Engagement a roller chain sprocket/chainring. It is designed to house the rollers of the roller chain. Traditionally the smaller, rear cog on a bicycle. May also A method of transferring power by securely locking on to be used to refer to chainrings. both sides of the sprocket tooth. All Enduo™ technologies Inner-links perform Dual Engagement. Two inner plates held together by two sleeves or Tolerances bushings upon which rotate two rollers. The measure of precision in the manufacturing of the Single Engagement drivetrain components. A method of transferring power by pushing and/or Interface pulling on one side of the sprocket tooth. This is how The point at which components interact with Watts conventional roller chains and drivetrains transfer power. one another. The unit used to measure power in cycling drivetrains.

GLOSSARY OF TERMS 18 newmotionlabs.com | [email protected] | 1.888.277.9331

INTRODUCTION 19