Uphill is the new downhill with the new Haibike XDURO NDURO
An innovation offensive at Haibike: The Lower Franconia bike producer presents the world’s first eEnduro at Eurobike. Full 180mm travel, new Bosch performance motor, Sram XX1 shifting and a completely new developed chassis make going uphill just as much fun as going downhill. Two versions of XDURO NDURO will be available in Spring 2014 at specialty retailers.
A newly designed aluminum frame is the core piece of the new XDURO NDURO; and this is finished by the so-called hydro forming process. The main advantages of this technology are its conservation effects on the material as well as the uniform wall thickness distribution. Both of theseadvancements allow for noticeable weight reduction with partially increased stability. “The freedom of shape that comes as a result of this process offers the opportunity to develop an individual design, like the striking XDURO-Double kink,” explains Alexander Thusbass, Designer and Codeveloper of the XDURO line.
The new Bosch performance motor, with a 250 Watt engine, supports speeds of up to 25 km/h. The drive unit is completely covered by the frame for the first time, with the special Gravity Casting motor interface protecting it from above and a removable SkidPlate below protecting it from hits and damage. The XDURO NDURO is powered by a 36V 400 Wh lithium ion battery pack, what we call the PowerPack.
The small sprocket that accompanies the new Bosch motor posed a great challenge to the development team at Haibike: “This really small sprocket rotates 2.5 times faster than the crank arm. The advantages for ground clearance, weight, and motor performance are great – the challenges that came out of it, for example, trying the avoid having too much pedal kick back, were enormous,” explains Ingo Beutner, chief engineer of Haibike. “With the Haibike Sprocket Equalizing System we found a simple yet effective way to get a responsive and agile chassis in the eBike.” This idea meant placing a pulley wheel on the upper chain line to produce a higher pivot point. “Along with the complex position of the pivot points of the four bar linkage, we designed a very finely tuned chassis that, in spite of the small size of the sprocket, doesn’t create any notable influences onto chassis and chain. This perfect balance and efficient chassis are key features for the eBike,” Beutner clarifies. In 2014 there will be two variations of the XDURO NDURO: The PRO version with Sram XX1 11-speed shifting, Fox 36 Talas 180mm front fork, tires and wheels from Mavic Crossmax Enduro for 6,499 Euros (RRP), which weighs 22.2 kg and the XDURO NDURO RX 26 fitted with a Shimano SLX 10-speed shifting, Schalbe Hans Dampf tires, and DT Swiss E1900 wheels, weighs 23 kg, and will cost 4,799 Euros in stores.
The two XDURO NDUROs are two of 37 new XDURO models for 2014 and represent a significant part of the Haibike On-Any-Ground strategy, which is the development of all related areas surrounding ePerformance. Whether a mountain, cross country, all mountain, downhill or race bike – in the future a corresponding XDURO will be available for every segment.
More informations: www.haibike.de
Words & Photos: Haibike PR
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