B'TWIN LD 920 E automatic: New e-city bike from Decathlon with automatic transmission

E-bikes have become an integral part of the transport landscape and have great potential to help shape the future of mobility. Advances in electrically powered bicycles are making cycling more fun. This form of transport can become a mass-produced alternative to the car and is environmentally friendly, healthy and cost-effective. The French sports company Decathlon has also discovered the potential for new products. Under its own brand B'TWIN brings Decathlon the LD 920 E model automatic, which is set to herald the next generation of e-bikes with its innovative automatic gearstick.

City e-bike with automatic transmission: riding fun without shifting gears

The highlight of the B'TWIN LD 920 E automatic city e-bike is a newly developed automatic transmission, which is designed to make daily cycling a pure pleasure: The motor itself is able to react to all conditions on the route and adjust the assistance accordingly. The gears no longer have to be shifted manually. Even when setting off uphill, the electronics automatically select the right gear and respond to impulses from the pedals in a matter of seconds. The cyclist can therefore focus fully on the road or enjoy the landscape to the full.

The innovative Owuru motor: a collaboration with the Belgian start-up E2 Drives

Decathlon has been working with the Belgian start-up E2 Drives for the past three years to develop a practical all-in-one drive for electric bikes. The result: the innovative Owuru motor. The new dual-motor system combines electric assistance with a continuously variable, automatic gear shift. This design enables a wide range of gears and makes classic derailleur gears superfluous. The cyclist selects the desired cadence and the motor controls the assistance accordingly.

Decathlon wants to make everyday life car-free! Thanks to the new LD 920 E automatic e-bike with intelligent motor and automatic transmission, cycling is more comfortable and makes the transition to soft mobility easier. Frederic Jung, Product Manager at Decathlon B'TWIN

How does the new automatic gearbox on the B'TWIN LD 920 E e-city bike work?

At the heart of the system is a so-called planetary gearbox. Two synchronised belts work inside the gearbox to ensure smooth and quiet operation. Pedalling force and electric motor power are thus perfectly coordinated, resulting in a seamless riding experience. Another advantage of this type of drive is the possibility of stepless, automatic shifting. The use of two motors allows any combination of support level and gear ratio.

The entire system is controlled by a single circuit board on which all data converges. Two motor driver components and eight sensors are housed on one circuit board, which enables practical and space-saving integration in the engine compartment. A powerful microcontroller monitors the performance of the entire motor system. It processes information 20,000 times per second to ensure smooth operation.

The Decathlon B'TWIN LD920 E: optimised for everyday use in the city

In addition to the innovative automatic gearbox, the other features of the LD 920 E automatic are also impressive. The e-city bike is assembled in the company's own assembly plant in B'TWIN Village in Lille and all components apart from the handlebars, brakes and pedals are in-house developments. These include a powerful motor and a fully integrated 702 Wh battery. According to the manufacturer, this should enable a range of up to 150 kilometres, depending on various factors such as terrain and level of support.

The display with touchscreen is integrated in the stem. Various modes such as Eco, Standard or Boost can be selected here. There is also a walk mode that provides support when pushing the bike.

A permanently installed GPS tracker makes it easier to find the bike in the event of theft.

The front light with 30 lux ensures good visibility at night and the pannier rack can be loaded with up to 27 kg.

The LD 920 E automatic weighs a total of 26.1 kg. It is available in a "high frame" and a "low frame" version and in various frame sizes.

The facts about the Decathlon B'TWIN LD 920 E automatic e-city bike at a glance:

Price: 2,999.00 Euro

Weight: 26.1 kg

Drive & gearstick:

• Mid-engine with CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission)
• Gear ratio of the variator: 265 %
• 250 watt motor with 65 Nm torque
• Desired cadence (40 to 90 rpm) adjustable via remote control

Support modes:

• Mode 0: deactivated
• Mode 1: Eco +100% support: conserves the battery and extends the range
• Mode 2: Standard +235% assistance: Good ratio of easier driving and moderate energy consumption
• Mode 3: Boost +375% utilisation of the entire motor power, e.g. on inclines
• Walk mode: Support when pushing the bike

Battery:

• 48 V lithium-ion battery integrated in the frame
• Capacity: 702 Wh
• Range 80 to 150 km

Frame:

• Material: Aluminium
• Available as high frame & low frame version
• Available colours: green & marron
• Sizes: S - XL (high frame: M - L - XL / low frame: S - M - L)

Rims & tyres:

• Hollow chamber rims made from anodised aluminium
• Vittoria E-Randonneur Tech tyres - specially developed for this bike

Fork:

• Headshock aluminium suspension fork with 30 mm travel

Brakes:

• Hydraulic disc brakes B'TWIN by TEKTRO TK32
• Disc diameter: 180 mm front, 160 mm rear

Lighting:

• Bicycle battery-powered 30 lux front light - complies with German road traffic regulations.
• Bicycle battery-powered 3 candela rear light - complies with German road traffic regulations.

Networking:

• Features 4G/WLAN/Bluetooth box
• Bike can be tracked at any time via smartphone
• Notification in the event that the wheel is moved unexpectedly

Display:

• Colour display integrated in the stem
• Permanently displayed information: Time, battery status, support mode
• Selectable information: Cadence, remaining range, distance and speed
• USB C charging port

Equipment:

• Luggage carrier for 27 kg load
• Compatible with child seat
• Mudguard
• Stand
• Bell