Gates Corporation added engineering and product development staff that will help its Gates Carbon Drive evolve from a drive belt brand into a provider of complete systems of belts, sprockets and crankset assemblies.
Michael Jasch has been hired as a Product Development Engineer, a role in which he will develop new cranks and integrated crankset assemblies. He joins the expanding team of engineers working under Global Product Engineering Manager Chris Vasiliotis, who was hired in January to expand new product development.
Jasch previously worked for Fallbrook Technologies, where he was instrumental in developing testing programs and systems for cycling and automotive applications before focusing on the design and manufacturing of bicycle shifters for the NuVinci brand of continuously variable planetary hubs. His hiring shows Gates’ continuing evolution as a brand that provides complete systems of belts, sprockets and crankset assemblies that offer an easy, plug-in solution for bike brands, says Todd Sellden, Director of Gates Carbon Drive.
“We are known primarily for our belts and sprockets, but we are increasingly focused on manufacturing Gates-branded cranks and crankset assemblies at a wide range of price points that simplify the process of OE factory installations,” Sellden says.
Ryan Osborn has been promoted to the new position of Advanced Drivetrain Engineer and will focus on integrating Carbon Drive with electric bike drive systems, gearbox systems and internally geared hubs. The eBike market, particularly in Europe, as well as the growing popularity of internal hubs such as Shimano Alfine and Nexus, are key drivers of Gates Carbon Drive’s sales growth.
Osborn is one of the founding members of the Gates team that helped commercialize the Carbon Drive system. He previously worked as an applications and special projects engineer, a role in which he was instrumental in integrating Gates belts with land speed racers and electric motorcycles, spin bikes and brewery bottling lines, as well as helping to develop the supercharger drive for the Ecosse Heretic Titanium—known as the world’s most expensive motorcycle. He will now concentrate on validating and developing new products and integrations for eBikes and the growing range of alternative bicycle transmissions such as the Pinion gearbox.
“Ryan has been involved with Gates Carbon Drive in a variety of roles since our initial launch in 2007,” Sellden says. “In this new position we hope to utilize his skillset as part of our strategic goal to integrate with every leading eBike system and the full gamut of geared hubs and alternative transmissions that are revolutionizing bike design and expanding cycling options for consumers.”
Consisting of two lightweight sprockets and a high-strength belt embedded with carbon fiber cords, Gates Carbon Drive is a low-maintenance, chain-replacing technology from Gates Corporation, the global leader in automotive and industrial belts. Clean, quiet, light, and strong, Carbon Drive requires no greasy lube, weighs less than a chain drive and will not stretch. Due to its low maintenance and ease of use, Carbon Drive is a technology that can get more people on bikes. Gates Carbon Drive is featured on more than 400 bike models from more than 250 brands in 2016.
