HANOVER, Germany—ContiTech A.G.'s Power Transmission Group has taken over a developer of e-bike drives, Benchmark Drives GmbH & Co. K.G., to expand its commitment to the e-bike and pedelecs market.
“Benchmark Drives has outstanding development expertise in the field of e-mobility and has excellent contacts with bicycle manufacturers,” said Konrad Mueller, who heads the ContiTech Power Transmission Group business unit.
He said that with the takeover, the company is strengthening its position in the market and gaining quicker access to bicycle manufacturers.
ContiTech has been developing drive systems for bicycles, pedelecs and e-bikes with Benchmark Drives for a long time, the company said.
Last year, the companies came out with a complete drive system for e-bikes and pedelecs—comprised of a motor, display, control unit and rechargeable battery—that's smaller, more powerful and lighter than other products on the market, it said.
The two companies have been selling another product, the Conti Drive System, since 2012. A drive technology for bicycles that uses a timing belt rather than the usual chain, the system eliminates oil lubrication and is service-free and environmentally friendly, ContiTech said.