IN BRIEF
Enviolo has unveiled Utility, a continuously variable hub that replaces its former Extreme and Heavy Duty ranges. This derailleur-free system, housed in the rear wheel, now handles 120 Nm of torque — the level of the most powerful mid-drive motors — and a total weight of 300 kg, rider and luggage included. Its gear range rises from 380% to 400%, with no weight penalty according to the manufacturer. The stated aim: to equip electric mountain bikes, SUV bikes, cargo bikes and speed pedelecs, right through to professional delivery fleets. First deliveries begin on 1 July 2026, with Riese & Müller leading the way.
| Product | Enviolo Utility continuously variable hub |
| Maximum torque | 120 Nm |
| Gear range | 400% (up from 380%) |
| Maximum total weight | Up to 300 kg (rider + load) |
| Replaces | The Extreme and Heavy Duty ranges |
| Target uses | Electric mountain bikes, trekking, SUV, cargo, speed pedelecs, delivery/B2B |
| First deliveries | 1 July 2026 |
| First bike maker | Riese & Müller (host of the presentation) |
Enviolo used Riese & Müller’s Campus Days to lift the lid on Utility, a new continuously variable hub aimed at the most demanding electric bikes. The component is not an addition to the catalogue: it replaces the Dutch manufacturer’s two former heavy-duty references, Extreme and Heavy Duty, in one go. At the heart of the announcement are two figures that sum up the ambition — 120 Nm of torque handled and 300 kg of permissible total weight.
A hub that does away with the derailleur
For anyone new to the principle, a continuously variable hub is a transmission housed in the rear wheel, with no derailleur and no sprockets. Where a cassette offers a series of fixed gears, Enviolo’s system varies the ratio continuously, without steps. To do so, the brand relies on rotating balls rather than gears: tilting these balls between two discs gradually changes the drive ratio.
The upshot is tangible for the rider: you can change gear while stationary, at a red light for example, and pull away in the right ratio. The unit is sealed and lubricated for life, which makes it largely indifferent to rain, dust and mileage — welcome qualities on an everyday bike as much as on a cargo bike ridden all year round. With no derailleur, these hubs are also often paired with a belt rather than a chain, as the press photos show.
Enviolo traditionally offers its hubs in two variants, one manually operated, the other with automatic shifting — the automatic version adjusts the ratio on its own according to cadence. Which versions have been chosen for Utility was not detailed as part of this announcement.
Four ranges, including one for the heavy lifting
With this announcement, Enviolo’s catalogue is reorganised around four series: Urban, City, Trekking and Utility. It is the last of these that stands out, because it targets the top of the range: electric mountain bikes, trekking bikes, SUV bikes, cargo bikes and speed pedelecs. In other words, every use that puts the transmission under real strain — through motor torque, through the weight carried or through speed.
120 Nm and 400%, what it changes
The first gain is torque. Utility now accepts up to 120 Nm, the level of the most powerful mid-drive motors currently available. The bar is set high: for years, consumer motors topped out at around 85 Nm, and the recent trend has been one of escalation, particularly on cargo bikes and electric SUV bikes. A hub able to handle 120 Nm is part of that power race.
The second gain concerns the gear range, which climbs from 380% to 400%. The wider that range, the more situations it covers — from steep climbs to long straights — without spinning out or grinding on the hard bits.
For years it was 380%. We are now moving to 400%. That means users can climb hills more easily thanks to a lower gear, while riders of speed pedelecs benefit from a higher top speed. Above all, this has all been achieved without adding any weight.
Rich Hilgart, product manager at Enviolo
To absorb these extra loads, Enviolo says it has revised the hub’s housing and cover, reinforced the internal components and introduced a new testing procedure.
Up to 300 kg, deliveries included
Utility’s other selling point is load. The hub is rated for a total rolling weight of 300 kg, rider and load included. Enough to target big family cargo bikes, but also — and this is more unusual in Enviolo’s messaging — professional fleets, starting with last-mile delivery.
The hub has also been developed for professional applications. It supports vehicles with a total weight of up to 300 kg, which suits heavy family cargo bikes as well as B2B uses. On top of that, we offer a commercial warranty for these applications.
Rich Hilgart, product manager at Enviolo
The commercial warranty mentioned by the product manager is a signal: Enviolo is no longer addressing private customers alone, but is also seeking a place in the market for utility and company bikes, where the transmission has to cope with intensive duty cycles.
Available from 1 July
First deliveries of the Utility hub begin on 1 July 2026. The timetable is so tight that, according to Rich Hilgart, some manufacturers have opted for air freight in order to have the parts in time and launch their equipped bikes this summer. Unsurprisingly, Riese & Müller — host of the presentation and a long-standing user of Enviolo transmissions — is among the first to offer the newcomer.
For anyone eyeing a cargo bike or a high-end company bike, Utility adds a line to watch on this summer’s spec sheets: a transmission with no heavy maintenance, now able to keep up with the most ambitious motors and loads.
