Kindernay
Kindernay is a brand of hub gears manufactured by the Norwegian start-up company CA Technology Systems.[1] They use hydraulic gear levers and are manufactured in Oslo, Norway. Their system differs from their competitors by having a modular design called Swap Cage where the gear mechanism can be easily separated from the hub housing, so that the end-user can use the hub gear with several different wheel sets.[2] This could make it easier and more economical to change wheel sets to adapt the bike for different seasons or roads, or so that wheels can be easily changed between bikes.[3] The hubs are assembled at Kindernay's factory in Oslo by hand, but in the long term it is planned that production will be automated and assembled by robots.[4]
History
In 2000, the entrepreneur Christian Antal was studying economics when he began to materialize his interest in developing a bicycle gear, and entered into a collaboration with the mechanical engineer Knut Tore Ljøsne, who had previously worked at Kongsberg Automotive.[5]
In 2010, CA Technology Systems was founded.[6][1] A prototype of the 14-speed Kindernay XIV hub was presented in 2016.[7]
In 2021 Kindernay was one of the winners of the prestigious Eurobike award for their 7-speed hub model Kundernay VII which is approved for 160 Nm,[8][9] and is designed to withstand heavy loads that can occur on for example cargo bikes.[10] The efficiency of the XI hub has been tested by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, and the results will be available from July 2023.[11]
Technical
Compared to their main competitor Rohloff who makes hub gears with 6 planetary series, Kindernay uses 3, which they claim simplifies the design and reduces weight. Kindernay claims to have patented the important innovations of their system, and that they have patents that last until 2032.[8] The wheels have freehub with 24 points of engagement,[12] and Kindernay differs by having a 12 mm through-axle on all their models.[8] Their hubs can be adapted to frames with standard widths of 135 mm, 142 mm and 148 mm.[13][14]
See also
References
- "Vil revolusjonere girsystem for elsykler" (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2023-06-16.
- Denham, Alee (2021-08-24). "The New Kindernay VII Gearbox: Just 400 Grams Heavier Than A 1X Drivetrain". Retrieved 2023-06-16.
- Denham, Alee (2021-08-24). "The New Kindernay VII Gearbox: Just 400 Grams Heavier Than A 1X Drivetrain". CyclingAbout. Retrieved 2023-06-16.
- "Annonsørinnhold: Investerte 100 millioner i norskutviklet sykkel. Opplever stor interesse" (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 2023-06-16.
- "Inne i dette skallet skjuler det seg en banebrytende norsk oppfinnelse". 2016-10-28. Retrieved 2023-06-16.
- "Nøkkelopplysninger fra Enhetsregisteret - Brønnøysundregistrene". Retrieved 2023-06-16.
- Denham, Alee (2016-10-21). "The Kindernay XIV Hub: A 14 Speed Internally Geared Rohloff Competitor?". Retrieved 2023-06-16.
- TERRENGSYKKEL.NO (2021-09-14). "Norske Kindernay har vunnet Eurobike-pris" (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2023-06-16.
- "Norske Kindernay satser på elsykler – får gjev pris før girsystemet er satt i produksjon". 2021-09-03. Retrieved 2023-06-16.
- Nes, Knut (2022-01-23). "Test av Kindernay VII navgir". Retrieved 2023-06-16.
- Jakob Deraas Grimsgaard (2020). Efficiency Testing of The Kindernay XIV Gearhub (Thesis). Norwegian University of Science and Technology.
- Winzenburg, Lucas (2022-05-25). "Introducing Kindernay: Internal-Gear Hubs from Norway". Retrieved 2023-06-16.
- "Kindernay | Cycle Monkey". Retrieved 2023-06-16.
- "Review: Kindernay VII". www.cyclinguk.org. Retrieved 2023-06-16.