BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
WheelTop, the Chinese OEM manufacturer of cranksets and other components, including its own electronic shifting systems, has acquired a majority stake in Spanish components brand Rotor.
As part of this strategic collaboration, WheelTop will now serve as Rotor’s exclusive distributor in Asia.
During the Taichung Bike Week, WheelTop chairman Song Fujiang expressed his excitement about introducing Rotor’s high-end European brand to the Asian market, commenting: “We are thrilled to bring premium cycling experiences to China, enhancing the joy and quality of cycling for enthusiasts.”
Founded in Spain in 1994, Rotor launched oval – Q-Rings -chainrings in 2005 and went on to expand its product line to include cranks, stems, seatposts, saddles, and the revolutionary 2INpower dual power meter.
In sharing the news Fujiang also asserted that the future of cycling will be dominated by electronic transmission systems – a market sector where WheelTop aims to continue its innovation drive.
Global growth and new market brand recognition
WheelTop, established in 1951, has built a reputation for producing bicycle transmission components, with OEM supplier status for several well-known Western brands.
In 2015, the company began focusing on high-end parts, and, seven years later, in 2022, the business successfully introduced a wireless electronic shifting system, the EDS OX series, for MTB, followed by the EDS TX, for road bikes, designed for efficient and precise gear shifting.
Commenting on this electric shifting focus the business states: “We have streamlined installation and operation processes to ensure riders can focus solely on the thrill of the ride – both uphill and downhill.”
Manufacturing capability and capacity
WheelTop states they are “committed to building an intelligent future factory that can produce up to 50 million sets of bicycle and electric bike transmission systems each year”.
Drawing on experience in manufacturing bicycle components, the business plans to integrate new materials, cutting-edge technologies, and advanced automated and intelligent equipment, to create a range of high-end products, including lightweight bicycle electronic and mechanical transmission systems, as well as e-bike transmission systems.
The business also emphasises a “focus on creating transmission systems that are not only safe and environmentally friendly but also highly intelligent, meeting the needs of modern-day cycling enthusiasts”.
