MICROMOBILITY


DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT G


earboxes aren’t a new thing on e-bikes. In fact, if you look at some of the more premium options on bikes from the likes of Riese and Müller, you’re


likely to find a Rohloff or Enviolo gear hub in conjunction with a powerful mid-drive motor. But what if you don’t want something bulky, or want to use a rear hub motor on your e-bike? That’s where British brand MiRider is stepping in. The family-run business has recently acquired the G3ARED


gearbox company, a name you might recognise if you’ve ridden their newest One GB3 model. It’s a lightweight, three-speed gearbox that sits neatly in the centre of the bike, and after acquiring the patent and business, they want to see it on more bikes across the world. We spoke to Matt and Martin Higginson, sales and marketing directors at MiRider respectively, to understand what they’ve got planned for G3ARED and MiRider.


Development process “The gearbox is something that we saw initially about two years ago,” explained Matt. “We got some samples in, went through the application process and the initial testing, and it seemed to tick a box for us to put a belt drive on our bike, which was the concept. “The more we rode it, however, the more we noticed some small little niggles which needed some development work with the manufacturer. That went on for maybe 18 months, until we were satisfied with the product as a whole, and then launched it on our GB3 model. That’s gone very well since,


38 | August 2023 www.bikebiz.com


British folding bike brand MiRider has invested in gearbox technology on its bikes. Rebecca Bland explores how it will help riders


and only recently there came an opportunity where we could acquire the entire gearbox business.” A gearbox like this means you can run a belt drive, which for MiRider’s target audience is appealing thanks to the lack of maintenance – and mess – required to keep your drivetrain running, as Matt explained.


“The product itself is very low maintenance, which is perfect when you combine it with a belt drive - it is attractive to consumers who don’t have much DIY ability.


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