[Digital Today reporter Jinju Hong] A new electric bicycle drivetrain has emerged that removes chains and gears and drives the wheels with electrical signals. The 'pedal-by-wire' approach completely excludes a mechanical drive structure, drawing attention for its potential to shift how bicycles are powered.

Electrek, an electric-vehicle-focused outlet, reported on Wednesday that Spanish startup Niche Mobility unveiled a prototype of its electronic drivetrain system called ADTS (Advanced Digital Transmission System).

The core of the system is a structure that does not physically connect the pedals directly to the rear wheel. When a rider pedals, a generator inside a motor unit produces electricity instead of turning a chain, and that power spins the wheel through a separate drive motor. The bike cannot move when the system is powered off, even if the rider pedals.

Niche Mobility aims to convert conventional gearshift-centered drivetrains into a digital drivetrain. It removes the burden of gear shifting and chain maintenance, and automatically adjusts gear ratios depending on riding conditions. Riders can choose modes such as Easy, Flow and Sweat, and the focus is on a simple riding experience without separate manual shifting.

The company also set performance targets. Niche Mobility is aiming for about 120 Nm of torque for a mid-drive type system, and a riding range of about 80 to 90 km depending on the battery configuration. The standard model limits assisted speed to 25 kph, and a high-speed model supporting up to 45 kph is also under development.

Additional features based on the electronic structure are also highlighted. Because the overall system is electronically controlled, it can implement regenerative braking not only when braking but also when coasting downhill. It also implemented a reverse function through button operation or pedaling backward. This is expected to be particularly useful on heavier cargo e-bikes.

Niche Mobility sees urban mobility, trekking and cargo e-bikes as its main target markets. It judges the system suited to areas where ease of use and reduced maintenance burden matter more than complex shifting operations.

Tasks remain before commercialization. Energy losses may occur in converting human power into electricity and then back into driving force, and added costs from more electronic devices are also a variable. The fact that conventional chain-based drivetrains still offer high efficiency and simplicity is also a competitive factor.

The industry sees the technology as more likely to become a meaningful alternative for beginners, commuters and cargo transport markets than for high-performance sports bikes. Ultimately, it is expected to depend on how far it can reduce efficiency losses and prices while offering electrification convenience in a compelling way.