# Gearless Bicycle 'The Ride' Uses NuVinci CVP Drive By Ben Preiss | Published 2007-06-14 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/continuously-variable-planetary-cvp-drive-on-a-spacecraft-deathstar-or-bicy References: [ellsworthride](http://www.ellsworthride.com/) & [wired](http://www.wired.com/gadgets/gadgetreviews/multimedia/2007/06/summerguide_bike?slide=1&slideView=2) That's right, it's a bicycle called “The Ride” by Ellsworth with the self proclaimed “revolutionary” gearless NuVinci™ Continuously Variable Planetary (CVP) drive. If their claims are accurate, this transmission system does sound revolutionary and not just a gimmick to justify the almost 4K price tag. In addition, The Ride Signature Series features a [belt drive](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/also-tmb) and [carbon fiber components](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rcyl-bike). **Implications** - The Ride claims that its glide is so smooth that it's almost silent. The design of the bike has a pretty rugged frame and actually looks a lot like a [beach cruiser](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ride1up-vorsa). Each of the components you see on the design have been created specifically for this model, so you're getting the full custom treatment from Ellsworth. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.4/10 - Popularity: 97% | Activity: 86% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Gearless Bicycles:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Developing advanced gearless bicycle transmission systems to provide a smoother and quieter ride experience. - **Carbon Fiber Components:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Advancing carbon fiber technology to create lighter and stronger components for bicycles. - **Belt Drive Technology:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Improving belt drive systems for bicycles to enhance power transfer and reduce maintenance requirements. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Bicycle Manufacturing:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrating gearless and carbon fiber technologies into the manufacturing processes of bicycles to create high-performance and custom models. - **Automotive Technology:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Transferring gearless and belt drive technologies from bicycles to the automotive industry to develop more efficient and silent transmission systems. - **Sporting Goods Retail:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Embracing gearless and carbon fiber bicycle technologies to offer innovative and premium bicycles to consumers, providing a unique selling proposition. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Drivetrain-Devoid Concept EBikes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/concept-ebike.md) - [Featherweight Bicycle Drivetrains](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bicycle-drivetrain.md) - [Streamlined Bicycle Drivetrains](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bicycle-drivetrains.md) - [Chainless Electric Bicycles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/honbike-hf01.md) - [Automatic Mid-Drive eBikes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/centauri-ii.md) - [Revolutionary Enduro Bikes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/enduro-bike.md) - [Predictive Shifting E-Bikes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gocycle-gxi.md) - [Gear-Laden Folding E-Bikes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gearladen-folding-ebike.md) - [Smart-Shifting Trail Bicycles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/trail-bicycle.md)