Xiangzhou District, Zhuhai

Ltwoo Corp, a startup located on Jinwan Intelligent Manufacturing Street, has developed a range of bicycle derailleur systems that are highly competitive with, but far less expensive than, foreign sprocket-shifters.

China has long been the leading manufacturer of bicycles, with an average annual output of 86 million accounting for 80 percent of global production. Nonetheless, 30 percent are mid- to high-end bikes equipped with derailleurs from SRAM in the US and Shimano of Japan. Now Ltwoo's derailleur gears offer 95 percent performance but cost about a third less than the imports.

Bicycle derailleurs in production  

After much brainstorming, the 10-member R&D team developed more than 20 derailleur models for mountain and road bikes. Thirty patents have been approved or are under application, breaking through the defense line of 2,400 patents formed by the two multinational firms in China.

Ltwoo is currently producing 50,000 derailleurs per month, according to the company's general manager, Liu Chunsheng. After a production line upgrade, Ltwoo's annual output is to reach 1 million sets, rising to 2.5 million by 2020.

Close-up of new derailleur [Photos by Zhang Zhou / Zhuhai Daily]

By then, the company predicts it will account for 10 percent of China's domestic market, as many domestic and overseas bicycle brands have recognized Ltwoo's products. These include major industry players like Forever, Phoenix, Flying Pigeon, Giant, and Dahon.

The company has received much support from the Consumer Goods Industry Department of China's Ministry of Industry & Information Technology, which has been impressed by its unique technology roadmap and innovation competency. Its breakthrough is a key step for China to become a dominant player in the global bicycle industry in terms of quality as well as quantity.

Liu said that an internal gear hub service system is under development and is currently in the modulation stage. Several bike-sharing companies such as ofo have shown interest in upgrading their fleets using this new system, which is expected to be available within six months.

Ltwoo plans to gradually expand its product range, with the goal of offering mid- to high-end variable speed controller systems for mountain, road, urban commuting, folding, touring, and downhill bikes. This standard systematic product series will help Ltwoo evolve into a world-renowned bicycle derailleur brand and compete with overseas counterparts in the international market, Liu claimed.