LEVA-EU member ICE Trikes presented a first for the trike industry at Eurobike last week, exhibiting a model equipped with the PERS chainless pedalling system developed by fellow LEVA-EU member CIXI.
ICE Trikes summed up the advantages of the PERS system succinctly: “No chains or gears, regenerative braking, reverse pedalling and truly clean innovative e-assist cycling. It’s the future!” ICE Trikes has been able to incorporate PERS into their designs smoothly, thanks to the open-architecture design which allows it to be integrated with third-party motors and batteries. They teamed up at Eurobike with CIXI to showcase the technology.
The brand had models on show both at their indoor booth, and in the outdoor demo area where visitors could take a test ride. Alongside the PERS-equipped models was ICE Trikes’ Handcycle project.
LEVA-EU member CIXI’s CEO welcomed Cleanrider to the company’s headquarters in Annecy, France, offering valuable insight into the company, its groundbreaking chainless pedal system, and its plans to elevate active mobility.
The origins of CIXI
Founded in 2015 by CEO Pierre Francis, CIXI has spent nearly a decade in stealth-mode research and development. The company now employs over 100 engineers. Francis entered the field of active mobility after a career in IT and personal services, driven by a mission to get more people exercising as a form of transportation.
“I wanted to develop something in line with a more active lifestyle. A sedentary lifestyle is a huge societal problem today. In the past, we used our muscles to get around. Then the car arrived. The paradox is that it opened up geographical horizons while confining people to a sedentary lifestyle,” explains Francis.
CIXI’s Vigoz and the introduction of PERS technology
The company’s journey into active mobility began with the Vigoz, a pedal-powered quadricycle. It was during this project that CIXI developed PERS, its transmission-free pedal system. The technology was later adapted for bicycles, where engineers installed it on a traditional bike frame as a chainless crankset, an innovation the company believes will revolutionise the cycling industry.
While Vigoz remains in development, PERS will be CIXI’s first product to reach market, providing essential funding for ongoing innovation.
Standout features of CIXI’s revolutionary PERS technology
Still in its prototype phase, the PERS system was tested by Cleanrider on both a bicycle and a recumbent trike. The system impressed testers with its performance, including its responsive support, the instant activation of the torque sensor and rear motor from minimal pedal pressure, and its seamless gear-shifting without traditional transmission components.
The regenerative braking system was also highly praised. Its backpedaling function enables riders to activate a motor brake that both slows the bike and partially recharges the battery. On trikes, reverse pedaling adds further maneuverability and enhances safety.
The system also includes a central console, which provides real-time feedback on battery status, speed, and ride mode.
PERS: a modular system designed for manufacturers
CIXI’s open-architecture design allows PERS to be integrated with third-party motors and batteries, provided they are compatible with regeneration features. To aid adoption, CIXI offers manufacturers technical support, preconfigured kits, and collaboration with trained engineering firms referred to as “PERS Partners”.
“Bicycle geometry no longer has any constraints. In terms of design, we’ve eliminated many mechanical parts. It’s a huge breakthrough, the magic of mathematics is that we can do what we want. The problem is that our customers don’t understand it very well yet! So we’ve prepared packs for them with different typical configurations,” Francis summarises.
The widespread launch of PERS and upcoming events
After nearly ten years of R&D, CIXI plans to begin industrial production of 3,000 to 5,000 cranksets in 2025. Its expanded facility in Haute-Savoie is expected to reach a full capacity of 50,000 units annually, with an additional production line launching in India by 2026 to serve the Asian market.
At Eurobike 2025 in Frankfurt, Germany, from June 25-29 in Hall 8.0 at its booth G28, CIXI will showcase four concept bikes featuring the PERS system: a cargo bike, speed bike, electric city bike, and a trike. The Vigoz will also be presented, although its commercial release is still several years away. Event visitors will also be able to test the PERS system on Eurobike’s test track at booth F11.
Shortly after, the CIXI team will be at the cycling industry trade show Prodays from July 6-8 at Paris Expo in France, located at Pavilion 6, booth G26.
The brand welcomes users to sign up to its VIGOZ club to be the first to be updated on upcoming reveals, access behind the scenes and team updates.
LEVA-EU member CIXI will be exhibiting at the Ciclosferia Valencia show from 16-17 May, showcasing their PERS chainless pedaling system and promoting active mobility.
The brand’s ethos is to reactivate daily transport, and at Ciclosferia will be displaying its PERS technology, a chainless pedaling system which offers e-bike riders a unique pedaling experience. With no mechanical transmission, natural haptic feedback and no gear shifting required, the system is designed to allow riders to pedal comfortably at their own rhythm, whatever the speed and the slope gradient.
Over the three days of Ciclosferia a range of round-table discussions and presentations will explore topics such as sustainable mobility from a personal, collective and corporate perspective.
Comments Off on CIXI news: launch of the first chainless bikes at Eurobike 2025
Annecy, [01/29/2025] – CIXI, an active mobility player and Member of LEVA-EU, is pleased to announce major advances for 2025. After 10 years of research and development and an investment of 19 million euros, their revolutionary chainless PERS technology, designed to redefine the mobility experience, is ready to enter the market.
The first 4 bikes incorporating PERS technology will be presented for sale at the Eurobike trade show, to be held in Frankfurt at the end of June 2025. These bikes, developed with four bike manufacturers (France, Germany, and India), address four different segments: pedelec, speed bike, light cargo, and trike.
An important technical milestone has been achieved: The second half of 2024 allowed the PERS prototypes to cover 40,000 km on test benches and just over 3,000 km in real conditions – the latter testing will continue to accumulate distance until at least the end of April.
The PERS production line will therefore start at the Cixi-factory in Poisy near Annecy in May 2025.
Comments Off on Open house invitation to CIXI headquarters
Call out for active mobility fans to test new PERS pedalling technology in Poisy, France
CIXI has sent out an open invitation for cycling enthusiasts to test its PERS pedalling technology, meet its team and enjoy a light vegetarian meal on December 5th 2024, at its headquarters in Poisy, France. Event attendees are also welcome to invite guests to get an exclusive look at the PERS line, before series production is planned for May 2025.
Earlier this year CIXI announced the launch timeline of its powerfully quiet PERS pedalling systems that are chainless and can be incorporated onto new bikes and vehicles. The brand has also worked with clientele to optimise its systems even further for outstanding pedalling haptics and discreet performance.
Date of event : Thursday, December 05, 2024, starting at 6:30pm Event address: 315 Novus Parc, 74330 Poisy Contact: openhouse@cixi.life
Those interested in the event can access more details and registration information here.
Comments Off on CIXI PERS pilot line coming soon in 2024
The PERS chainless pedaling systems will be launched in December
CIXI has recently announced that its “powerful yet quiet” PERS pedalling systems are close to production. Its Developer Kits are available for clients who want to incorporate chainless technology on new bikes and vehicles, with its limited series of Developer Kits being sent to clients from December and series production planned for May 2025.
CIXI has worked with initial feedback from its clientele over the past few months to ensure its Chainless System brings outstanding pedalling haptics while being as discreet as premium mid-drive motors.
Advanced information about its Developer Kit (which includes all components required for creating a prototype with support from CIXI engineers) can be accessed here.
Collaboration with NNE
The brand has also announced its collaboration with Indian bike manufacturer, NNE, with the integration of its chainless pedalling technology into their newest cargo lightweight and versatile e-bike for everyday use. Read the full story about this partnership.
CIXI showcases pedalling technology in person
CIXI shared its philosophy and its Chainless Pedalling Technology with cycling fans across 6 countries and 11 cities, from Annecy to Copenhagen, with stops at design and innovation centers, public squares and active mobility events.
Its Nomad Tour finished at Eurobike where attendees tested the potential, range and adaptability of CIXI’s Chainless system on various bikes, from regular two-wheelers to light cargo rides, to three-wheeled cargo bikes to heavy four wheeler cargo bikes.
The GDA jury states: “The PERS Chainless Pedalling System for all types of e-bikes is an innovative electronic crankset with an automatic transmission that works without a chain and still promises a natural pedaling feeling.”
CIXI’s PERS technology adapts pedal resistance according to the rider’s style, to offer a tailor-made experience. This system does not require great athletic effort to actively travel 20 or 30 km, the electronic crankset system makes active mobility possible and enjoyable for all. CIXI has aimed to remove the geometrical constraints of mechanical transmission, making the PERS a versatile and competitive product able to fit diverse architectures and applications, from regular and cargo bikes to high-speed vehicles.
CIXI’s design team was also honored with the 2023 Lapiz de Acero Award for the ROVER 45 concept bicycle design in collaboration with LOOK Cycle. One of 66 winners across a variety of outstanding design, as one of the first concrete applications of chainless urban speed pedelec bicycle technology, the ROVER 45 reveals other possibilities in creating new types of vehicles.
