Project description
Innovative system for bicycle gear shifting
Gear shifting is essential for bicycles. However, during the last 60 years, few improvements have been made in bicycle transmissions. Electronic derailleurs emerged as an innovation but did not fulfil market expectations. As a consequence, new methods in gearing technology are required, which will improve gear shifting. The EU-funded SEGSEQ project proposes a segmented chainring actuation system that allows smooth and reliable shifting in any circumstance. The project uses a disruptive technology that introduces several characteristics absent from other products. The proposed new system provides 30 % more usable gears, 15 % wider gear range, 15 % closer gear steps and 6 % less weight, in addition to allowing shift operation in automatic and non-automatic sequential forms.
Objective
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).
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
-
H2020-EU.2.3. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme -
H2020-EU.3. - PRIORITY 'Societal challenges
See all projects funded under this programme -
H2020-EU.2.1. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies
See all projects funded under this programme
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
SME-2 - SME instrument phase 2
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-EIC-SMEInst-2018-2020
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
48960 Galdakao
Spain
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.