These ‘digital drive’ bikes replace a bicycle chain with software
Ever heard of a “digital drive” bike? It might seem like a strange concept, but several companies are developing commercial offerings that use electronics instead of a bike chain to power a bicycle’s rear wheel.
A digital drive is essentially a form of series hybrid electric bike, unlike a conventional e-bike that is more of a parallel hybrid. On many conventional e-bikes, the rider can either power the bike completely manually with the pedals or completely electronically with the throttle. But in a series hybrid e-bike, which is another term for digital drive, the rider powers the pedals manually that then feed directly into a generator to power the motor in the rear wheel electronically, no chain needed.
The chainring (the big gear by the pedals) is replaced by a generator, and the chain is replaced by software that helps mimic the feeling of a bicycle chain by providing similar resistance.
But without any mechanical power delivery, there’s no chain to rust or gears to adjust. That removes nearly all maintenance associated with a bike’s drivetrain, leaving just the tires and brake pads as the only regular maintenance items.
It also provides a simple form of automatic shifting, though in practice it would be more like an infinitely variable gear range. Software control regulates the pedal resistance, meaning that any gear ratio could be achieved from the same pedal cadence. Riders could even program in their optimal customized pedal cadence based on their own comfort. The problem of getting bogged down on an uphill climb or running out of gears on a downhill would cease to exist.
Gearbox/motor drivetrains exist, but they’re pricey and complex. A digital drive setup like this would be a simpler way to achieve a similar effect.
Digital drivetrains typically still use an e-bike battery as a buffer, allowing for some stored energy to compensate for lower rider input, or storing extra energy when the rider is pedaling hard enough to generate more power than is needed for propulsion. But a lighter and more powerful super-capacitor could also be used in lieu of a battery, shaving many pounds off the weight of a typical e-bike battery.
Companies like Schaeffler have shown off ride-by-wire electric bike drivetrains that use this type of series hybrid approach, though with conventional electric bike batteries.
The Danish company Bike2 is another drive maker that has spent years developing its own digital drive setup, though the technology was taken over this year by the Dutch company Alligt.
Electrek’s Take
The idea of digital drive for e-bikes in interesting and not without several advantages, but it also adds in some unnecessary complication, in my opinion.
For a simple commuter bike, I can understand the argument that the added complexity isn’t worth it. However, I can also see cases where digital drive could be a major advantage.
For cargo bikes, especially larger cargo bikes that have long chain runs, digital drive can clean up the drivetrain and allow designers more freedom in the bike’s geometry. Think of those e-bikes with giant cargo boxes on the rear. There’s usually a long tunnel down the middle at the bottom of the box to allow for the chain to pass through, or the box has to start up much higher. But the lack of a chain could mean the box is mounted much lower, resulting in more cargo space and a lower center of gravity, improving the stability of the bike.
In talking about it with Electrek’s publisher Seth Weintraub, he pointed out that recumbent bikes could also stand to benefit. Many have incredibly long chain runs with long plastic tubes for routing chains around the frame. Digital drive would simplify those complex drivetrains while allowing for an even more stretched geometry.
So while the technology might be a bit overhyped, there appear to be real uses cases that could stand to benefit from digital drive.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
With 615 horsepower, the Cadillac Lyriq-V is the quickest Caddie to date. Cadillac’s first V-Series EV will outsprint a CT5-V Blackwing, and it can be yours for under $80,000.
The 2026 Lyriq-V EV is the fastest Cadillac ever
We knew it was coming soon. Cadillac teased the Lyriq-V for the first time in late October, giving a sneak peek at its first electric V-Series vehicle.
Cadillac’s performance brand is known for iconic sports cars like the CT5-V Blackwing, but the new EV pushes the “V-Series sub-brand to new heights,” boasted John Roth, vice president of Global Cadillac.
As the first EV to wear the V-Series badge, Cadillac promised the Lyriq-V would be powerful, but we didn’t know it would be this fast.
Cadillac officially introduced the 2026 Lyriq-V on Thursday, revealing additional specs, prices, and more. With an estimated 615 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque and a standard dual motor AWD powertrain, the EV is expected to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds, making it the quickest Cadillac to date.
At that speed, it would outrun the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing with a 0 to 60 mph sprint time in 3.4 seconds. Although the CT-5 packs slightly more horsepower (668 hp), the Lyriq-V’s EV powertrain unlocks more powerful, instant acceleration.
The added power is enabled by an added Velocity Max feature, which “unleashes the vehicle’s full performance capability” with a surge of power and acceleration.
Interior and exterior design, prices, and features
The V-Series model differs from the traditional Lyriq with a lower center of gravity and custom front and rear bumpers. It also features V-Series badging on the rear doors and tailgate, V-pattern mesh on the lower grille, and 22″ wheels with the logo etched into the side.
Inside, the performance EV borrows features from the Lyriq, such as a panoramic fixed glass roof, a 23-speaker AKG sound system, and a massive 33″ LED display screen.
Cadillac distinguishes the V-Series from the traditional Lyriq by adding the V-Series logo, a V-mode button, and a sports rim with hand grips. Other unique features include a custom infotainment experience with a “V-Series persona,” a signature V-Series illuminated sill plate and V-pattern detailing on the seatbacks.
A 102 kWh battery pack is expected to provide a range of up to 285 miles. The 2026 Cadillac Lyriq-V starts at $79,990, including the destination fee.
In comparison, the Tesla Model Y Performance starts at $51,490 and has an EPA-estimated range of up to 277 miles. It also includes AWD and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds.
Cadillac’s new performance EV will be sold in the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Other markets will be announced closer to launch. GM will begin producing the new Lyriq-V at its Spring Hill, TN, manufacturing plant in early 2025.
What do you think of the Cadillac’s new performance EV? Would you buy one for $80,000? Or are you sticking with the Model Y Performance? Drop us a comment below to let us know.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Tesla has announced some important price hikes across its entire lineup in Canada amid incentives going away and a struggling Canadian dollar.
The Canadian EV market is already having problems amid announcements that the federal incentive program will be eliminated. The same thing is happening to Quebec’s own program, which was the most generous in the country—making the province the leader in EV adoption in Canada.
Now, Tesla, which sells more EVs than anyone in Canada, announced that it is increasing prices on all its lineup.
Here are the price increases for each Tesla model:
- Model 3:
- Long Range RWD: $4,000
- Long Range AWD: $8,000
- Performance: $9,000
- Model Y: $4,000
- Model S: $4,000
- Model X: $4,000
Buyers can still get $1,300 CAD off of new Model Y, Model S, or Model X purchases with a referral code.
Tesla never comments on price changes and therefore, we don’t know the official reasons for these specific price increases, but we can make some educated guesses.
First off, the Canadian dollar has crashed in comparison to USD over the last few months:
Furthermore, the timing of announcing that the price increases will take place on February 1st has led some to link this to the upcoming tariff wars that President Trump signaled against Canada.
The US President said that he plans to impose 25% tariffs on any goods coming from Canada, and Canada said that it would retaliate.
Electrek’s Take
Obviously, this is not good for the EV market in Canada.
The removal of incentives is already hurting the market, and now the base price of the most popular EVs in the country, Tesla vehicles, is also going up before incentives.
This will be a bad year for EVs in Canada.
Hopefully, things will settle down and we will get more clarity once the tariff war actually starts.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
-
Sports2 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports10 months agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports1 year agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports2 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports3 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment2 years agoGame-changing Lectric XPedition launched as affordable electric cargo bike
-
Business2 years agoBank of England’s extraordinary response to government policy is almost unthinkable | Ed Conway