Segmented Chainring for Sequential Shifting in Bicycles

ended

Gear shifting in bicycles allows to comfortably ride on uphill or downhill terrain. Regarding gearing technology, there is a long-standing challenge to get the maximum gear range (large variation between the easiest and hardest gears in order to access a wider set of terrains) with minimum steps between gears (for improved efficiency on each terrain). However, little changes have been observed in bicycle transmissions in the last 60 years. Even the recent introduction of electronic derailleurs did not meet market expectations regarding the possibility of achieving sequential or automatic shifting. SEGSEQ presents a segmented chainring actuation system that provides smooth and reliable shifting in any situation. The disruptive technological proposal of SEGSEQ introduces several characteristics that cannot be found currently in any product of a market very much monopolized by 2 companies (Shimano and Sram). The system provides performance gains in all metrics: 30% more usable gears, 15% wider gear-range, 15% closer gear-steps, 6% less weight and the possibility to operate shifts in sequential form and even in automatic form using cadence, pedalling power and/or heart-rate feedback. After multiple iterations and refinements of the SEGSEQ concept, application for several patents and the favorable timing for using complementary solutions whose patent protection expires in 2019-2020, the aim of the present project is to enter the 2,400 M€ groupset market and become the leading technological reference. Due to the strong competitors, it is daring for conventional investors to finance a promising concept that has not been thoroughly tested by the market. However, it is believed that the disruptive nature of SEGSEQ has the potential to become the European contender to lead the groupset market. In this context, ZUMA is looking for 1.7 M€ for product development (1.2 M€ EIC grant + 0.5 M€ via other sources) and 3.5 M€ for market deployment (via EIC equity).