In 2011, a group of engineers came together in Mühlhausen to sell, under the revived brand name Möve, first classic development services and now their own extraordinary bicycles, the centrepiece of which sets them apart from all other bicycles. The so-called Cyfly drive is a specially developed pedalling mechanism designed to significantly amplify the pedalling force exerted by the rider - without any motor or additional energy, but purely mechanically.
And this is supposedly how it works: a complicated system of levers and joints continuously changes the length of the crank arm and therefore the lever arm acting for power transmission during a crank rotation so that the leverage effect is greatest precisely when the rider applies the greatest force to the pedal - namely in the downward movement with the maximum in the three o'clock position. In the top and bottom dead centres, the crank arm length is minimal, which means that - assuming a constant crank rotation speed - these positions, which are insignificant for the application of force, are travelled through more quickly.
In turn, the variable leverage ratios are intended to more than compensate for the increased effort required to pedal a modern oval chainring with a larger pitch circle diameter for the pressure phase. The bottom line is that the combination of the Cyfly crank with the oval chainring is intended to ensure that a higher torque can be transmitted to the driven rear wheel with the same force input by the rider.
After a short period of familiarisation, you should quickly get used to the initially strange, slightly bumpy riding experience, so that a bike with a Cyfly crank can be pedalled smoothly and reasonably well. The Cyfly crank is currently only available exclusively in Möve bikes.
Möve Henry - The mountain bike with the Cyfly drive
Same power, more torque? The alleged increase in power delivery should not only compensate for the additional weight of the drive of around two kilograms compared to a simple crank, but also be so significant that Möve even supplies the hardtail mountain bike now presented with an oval 46-tooth chainring (!). In combination with the Sram GX Eagle 12-speed drivetrain, anything between a 20 per cent gradient and rapid downhill pedalling at up to 60 km/h is still possible. Well then!
The new drive crank, which alone consists of over 100 parts, also has an impact on the cost. At 3995 euros, the Möve Henry with a total weight of 12.9 kilos according to the manufacturer is no bargain - but you get Tune wheels, Ergon grips and saddle, Rockshox Reba suspension fork and Magura MT5 four-piston brakes.
The Möve Cyfly drive in laboratory and practical tests
The Cyfly drive from Möve is said to improve the power output fabulously, although it is as heavy as an electric motor. Sensation or hocus-pocus? Möve has not yet been able to provide any proof of the effectiveness of its lever, which is surprising given the full-bodied promise of 40 per cent more torque. We have now extensively tested the Cyfly drive in the laboratory and in practice. You can read the results of the tests and our conclusion in BIKE 3/19 - on newsstands from 5 February.
Sebastian Brust
Editor
