Pinion MGU, E2 Drives Owuru, Valeo Cyclee, Revonte One – all these drive systems have the approach in common of combining what would normally be separate components. This refers to the motor and gearing system on an ebike. Apart from Revonte, all of the aforementioned manufacturers have developed their concept to the point of series maturity. Now they have new competition. A few days ago, the Scottish company Intradrive announced that the first units of its GD8 had left production. “We’ve refined, industrialised, and optimised a product that’s been highly praised in prototype testing by bike brands,” said Mark Ravilious, founder at Intradrive. “The GD8 represents a game-changing step forward in e-bike drivetrain technology.” To help you judge for yourself whether the drive deserves this praise, we have summarised what is currently known about the Intradrive solution for you.
1. What is the Intradrive GD8?
2. What does the unit look like on the inside?
3. What are the fundamental advantages of a motor-gearbox unit?
4. What sets the Intradrive GD8 apart from the competition?
5. How does the gear change work?
6. What levels of assistance are available?
7. What components are also part of the drive system?
8. What type of ebike is the Intradrive GD8 intended for?
9. With which brands will the drive system turn up?
10. Who is Intradrive?
11. What development has the Intradrive GD8 been through?
1. What is the Intradrive GD8?
The GD8 is a unit consisting of a motor and gearbox. It is placed on the bottom bracket, where the mid-mounted motor is otherwise often found. With its eight gears, the GD8 covers a ratio range of 480 per cent. This means it just edges out the Cyclee from Valeo, which features seven gears and a range of 450 per cent. The Pinion MGU is a good deal more sophisticated. The current industry leader offers a choice of a nine-speed version with a ratio range of 568 per cent and a twelve-speed version with 600 per cent.
Intradrive estimates the power of the GD8 at the usual 250 watts in continuous operation. The unit reaches a peak of 650 watts. With a torque of 80 Newton metres, it supports you up to 350 percent. In terms of weight, it is on a par with the competition. Its 4.5 kilograms do not quite match the 4.0 kilograms or 4.1 kilograms of the Pinion MGU. According to E2 Drives, an Owuru weighs 4.6 kilograms. The Valeo Cyclee is said to weigh around 4.9 kilograms.
Technical specifications of the Intradrive GD8
- Nominal power: 250 W
- Peak power: 650 W
- Torque: 80 Nm
- Assistance: 350 %
- Range: 480 %
- Weight: 4.5 kg
2. What does the unit look like on the inside?
Intradrive is keeping more in-depth details about the motor and gearbox to itself for the time being. We do know for sure that the motor has an extensive sensor system that records torque, cadence and speed. Mark Ravilious’ team has been able to further improve some details of the now-presented version of the GD8 compared to the pre-series prototypes. For example, the entire unit now fits into a more compact housing. This could make it easier for ebike manufacturers to integrate it into the bike frame and ultimately lead to a sleeker design for the corresponding ebikes.
Furthermore, an increased copper fill factor of the coils inside the motor increases the efficiency of the unit, as the copper winding could be optimised again. In addition, the manufacturer speaks of advances in the tuning of the gearing mechanism. Now, the gears can be shifted more smoothly than before, especially under load.
Incidentally, Intradrive already created an alternative version of the GD8 two years ago. It was developed as a prototype for a four-wheeled electric cargo bike, the EAV 2Cubed. For this, Intradrive cooperated with EAV Bikes from Banbury, England.
3. What are the fundamental advantages of a motor-gearbox unit?
When the motor and gearbox are integrated into a single unit, the first thing you’ll notice is that the ebike has no external gears. Whether derailleur gears or a gear hub – both are replaced by the unit’s gearbox. This means that there are no longer any shifting components that have to permanently withstand the weather – and even more importantly – the forces of the ebike motor. Consequently, you only have a fraction of the wear and maintenance on an ebike with such a drive that other drive concepts entail.
This simplified bike design also results in the centre of gravity shifting to the middle of the ebike, which is exactly where engineers want it for optimal balance and control of the bike.
When designing models with a motor-gearbox unit, ebike manufacturers can choose between a chain or belt drive. The belt version reduces maintenance requirements even further. Apart from the belt sprockets, all other parts of the drive are protected by the housing. This ensures extremely long-lasting and reliable operation.
4. What sets the Intradrive GD8 apart from the competition?
In its press release, Intradrive describes the GD8 as the most compact unit on the market. Unfortunately, we can’t verify that. What is certain, however, is that the manufacturer has taken a clever approach to integrating its drive. The mounting for the unit in the bike frame is compatible with the motor mount of a Shimano EP8 and Shimano EP801. For ebike manufacturers, this considerably reduces the effort required to implement it into their own portfolio. Those who already have models with the aforementioned Shimano mid-mounted motors in their range could easily equip these models with the Intradrive system as an alternative. In terms of this detail, the manufacturer is obviously leaving the competitors of Pinion, Valeo and E2 Drives behind. However, we cannot estimate how crucial this is in the end when deciding for or against Intradrive.
In addition to the technical concept, Intradrive also sets itself apart by trying to produce as locally, resource-efficiently and ecologically as possible. The majority of the system components are manufactured in the UK. All other parts are at least manufactured in Europe. Thanks to its modular design, the GD8 should be relatively easy to repair. Whether for the owners of the ebikes or for a workshop, it is not clear from the information provided by Intradrive.
5. How does the gear change work?
The GD8 offers electronic gear shifting. However, this is sequential, i.e. gear for gear. Due to the intervention of the electronics, however, a single shift operation can be performed in less than a tenth of a second. Intradrive also mentions an automatic downshift on its website. It is currently unclear in which situations this comes into play, whether it is perhaps the engagement of a defined gear with which you start from a standstill, and whether the downshift can later be customised in an app.
Pinion has solved the gear-changing for the MGU in a very similar way. However, you can also shift several gears at once. There are also two semi-automatic functions. Together with Effigear, Valeo has implemented both manual and automatic shifting for the Cyclee Drive.
6. What levels of assistance are available?
As far as the riding modes are concerned, we are currently still in the dark. Our enquiry to the manufacturer has been sent. As soon as we receive a reply, we will add the information here.
7. What components are also part of the drive system?
As a pure B2B product, Intradrive provides e-bike manufacturers with a complete e-bike system. In addition to the motor-gearbox unit, this includes batteries, a display, a control unit that can be integrated into the top tube and a gear lever. We have not yet seen pictures of all the components. For example, Intradrive currently only shows a single picture of the batteries on its website, but it does mention that both intube batteries and frame batteries are available.
8. What type of ebike is the Intradrive GD8 intended for?
Given the ebikes already on the market with a motor-gearbox unit, it is clear how diverse the possible applications of such a drive are. From full-suspension e-mountain bikes to e-cargo bikes, e-touring bikes and SUV ebikes, everything can be found there. Intradrive sees a similarly wide range of potential applications for the GD8. E-mountain bikes, urban ebikes and e-cargo bikes are all conceivable. Within these categories, the aim is to serve the premium segments.
9. With which brands will the drive system turn up?
The first batch of production-ready versions of the GD8 comprises 20 units. According to Intradrive, these have been secured almost exclusively by interested ebike manufacturers who want to test the drive system. Delivery is scheduled for the coming weeks. Understandably, Intradrive is not disclosing which manufacturers these are.
It is quite possible that this secret will be revealed at least in part in the near future. Intradrive could start series production with larger quantities as early as the second quarter of 2025. The company is currently raising the necessary capital for this. In previous financing rounds and crowdfunding campaigns, funds were acquired in this way, which Intradrive used to purchase production tools, equipment for internal quality control and end-of-line testing.
10. Who is Intradrive?
Since its foundation, the company has been based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Intradrive’s production facility is also located there. Most of the five-strong team have not only been keen cyclists for more than ten years but also have an equally long experience as engineers or designers in the automotive, electronics or energy sectors. They are therefore familiar with the weak points of conventional drive systems and have the necessary expertise to eliminate them.
11. What development has the Intradrive GD8 been through?
The project started eight years ago with government funding for an initial feasibility study. Intradrive came to the attention of a wider audience when a first prototype with a GD8 was shown on the Orange Bikes stand at Eurobike 2022. Two years later, at Eurobike 2024, the company announced the start of production for the motor-gearbox unit.
Pictures: Intra Drive Ltd.