Development in much of the mid-drive motor sector for ebikes is currently heading in only one direction: even higher peak power, even higher torque, and even more assistance. This may sound wonderful to ebike riders. For ebike components such as hub gear systems, however, it places an enormous strain on them. Manufacturer Enviolo is therefore responding to this by launching the Enviolo Utility – a solution capable of successfully meeting today’s demands. Find all the answers to the key questions about the new gear hub in this overview.
1. What sort of gear hub is the new Enviolo Utility?
2. How does this new model differ from its predecessors?
3. What challenges were involved in developing the hub?
4. Have the size and dimensions of the Enviolo Utility changed compared to its predecessors?
5. What gear ratio range does the new hub offer?
6. On which ebikes will we see the Enviolo Utility in future?
7. Is the new rear hub compatible with existing components?
1. What sort of hub gear system is the new Enviolo Utility?
In the world of hub gear systems, the name Enviolo stands for stepless shifting. This is once again the case with the Enviolo Utility. With this gear system for the rear wheel hub of an ebike, there are no fixed gear ratios that you select directly via a shift lever, for example. Instead, you can utilise the full 400 per cent gear ratio range without any intermediate steps.
Enviolo has developed the hub for use on both pedelecs and speed pedelecs. In the manufacturer’s range, it replaces both the Enviolo Heavy Duty and the Enviolo Extreme in one go.
2. How does this new model differ from its predecessors?
Thanks to technical modifications, the Enviolo Utility can withstand the stresses resulting from its combination with extremely powerful mid-drive motors such as the Avinox M2S, the Avinox M2, the Bosch Performance Line CX or the Bosch Cargo Line following Bosch’s Performance Upgrade 2.0. It can handle a maximum input torque of 120 Newton metres. With its predecessors, the limit was 100 newton-metres.
Furthermore, ebike manufacturers can now fit the hub themselves to models weighing up to 300 kilograms. In the past, only the Enviolo Extreme met this requirement.
3. What challenges were involved in developing the hub?
According to Enviolo, adapting the rear-wheel hub gear system to the new technical requirements of ebike motors proved to be a difficult task. After all, the manufacturer could not simply subject a hub – originally designed for a lower input torque – to a significantly higher load overnight. It therefore decided to make fundamental changes. A total of 14 components of the hub were replaced. When selecting the appropriate materials, Enviolo opted for more sustainable solutions, thereby reducing the Utility’s environmental footprint.
4. Have the size and dimensions of the Enviolo Utility changed compared to its predecessors?
Although Enviolo has adapted the housing and cover of the cast hub body, all key dimensions, the volume and, above all, the mounting dimensions of the Utility remain identical to those of the Heavy Duty and Extreme models. This applies in particular to the weight, which still stands at 2.45 kilograms.
As usual, Enviolo will offer ebike manufacturers two versions of the Utility – one with a standard 135-millimetre-wide solid axle and one with a 148-millimetre-wide modular axle.
5. What gear ratio range does the new hub offer?
Based on a stepless planetary gearbox, Enviolo achieves a gear ratio range of 400 per cent with the Utility. That is 20 per cent more than the Heavy Duty and Extreme models offered. The 400 per cent range extends from a underdrive of 0.53 to a overdrive of 1.96.
6. On which ebikes will we consider the Enviolo Utility in future?
In all likelihood, the hub’s range of applications should primarily cover trekking ebikes, e-cargo bikes, SUV ebikes and speed pedelecs. Essentially, any type of ebike that requires a motor with particularly high torque and where the total weight of the ebike is significantly above the 25-kilogram mark is a candidate. A look at the Riese & Müller range provides a good example of where this could lead. For the 2027 season, the manufacturer is introducing the hub on the Riese & Müller Charger5, Riese & Müller Nevo5 and Riese & Müller Load5 models. Furthermore, from the 2027 calendar year onwards, it will be fitted to the new Riese & Müller Veya and Riese & Müller Multicharger4 as well.
7. Is the new rear hub compatible with existing components?
According to the information available to us, Enviolo Utility will integrate seamlessly with the manufacturer’s existing hardware. It is highly likely that this was one of the key requirements during development. The easier the integration is for bicycle manufacturers, the greater the chances are that they will actually opt for this hub. Compatibility includes both manual and automatic interfaces.
Enviolo Utility at a glance
- Motor torque: max. 120 Nm
- Gear ratio range: 400 %
- Maximum permitted total weight: 300 kg
- Axle: 10 mm × 135 mm (solid), 12 mm × 148 mm (modular)
- Weight: 2.45 kg
- Compatibility: Enviolo’s manual and automatic interfaces
- Number of spoke holes: 32 and 36
Pictures: Enviolo B.V.