Firm sees future in chainless bikes

BREAK CHAINS: Dynamic Bicycles Inc. makes shaft-drive systems that propel bicycles without a chain, potentially a major advantage for riders, such as tourists, not dressed in clothes designed for cycling. Pictured above, from left, are Dynamic employees Justin Plamondon and Jaime Raposa, with owners Devin Kelly and Perugini. / PBN FILE PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO
BREAK CHAINS: Dynamic Bicycles Inc. makes shaft-drive systems that propel bicycles without a chain, potentially a major advantage for riders, such as tourists, not dressed in clothes designed for cycling. Pictured above, from left, are Dynamic employees Justin Plamondon and Jaime Raposa, with owners Devin Kelly and Perugini. / PBN FILE PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Crouched by the curb with grease-stained hands and furrowed brows, cyclists know all too well the frustration of a slipped chain or malfunctioning derailer.
An annoyance on an individual level, these relatively routine equipment malfunctions take on greater consequence when applied to hundreds or thousands of bicycles in a modern bike-share network.
Users, perhaps tourists unfamiliar with the city and basic bicycle mechanics, could be stranded, outraged and possibly ditch their rented two-wheelers far from the nearest docking station or kiosk.
That’s where Dynamic Bicycles Inc. of Bristol sees an opportunity.
Founded by Barrington native Patrick Perugini, Dynamic makes shaft-drive systems that propel bicycles without a chain, potentially a major advantage for the growing number of public and private bike-share networks across the country.
“It is an exploding market and one that benefits the most from chainless technology,” Perugini said. “Most people are not in cycling clothes and the advantages of having enclosed gears and no grease to get on hands, or chains to catch shoelaces, are numerous. It reduces the maintenance and operational cost and fewer things can go wrong with fewer parts exposed to damage or vandalism.”
Dynamic owns a Taiwanese factory that produces shaft drives, which the company imports and combines with components and frames in Bristol to produce its own line of bicycles sold directly to consumers. The company also produces shaft drives for other bicycle brands.
Dynamic partners with some of the largest bike-share-system operators in the country to supply shaft drives and would be utilized by the planned Providence system being put together by Social Bicycles.
But Perugini has also created On Bike, an affiliate that deploys smaller bike-share systems to institutional and corporate clients.
While municipal systems like Citibike in New York or Hubway in Boston generate the most attention, Perugini targets smaller private systems in college campuses, corporate parks or all-inclusive resorts.
On Bike is working on four systems for clients, including Skidmore College, New York Athletic Club, and CB Richard Ellis, Perugini said, and already provided a system for Wellesley College in Massachusetts. “Whether you manage a commercial property and offer it as an amenity to business tenants or a hotel, university or corporation, bike share adds a lifestyle component,” he said. “It checks off lots of boxes of sustainability, health, wellness and promoting an active lifestyle.”
As cities like Providence increasingly demand bike shares to be self-funded, Perugini said he expects smaller private systems will proliferate.
In shaft-drive bicycles, the peddles are connected with interlocking gears to a rotating horizontal drive shaft leading to the gear box and rear wheels.
In addition to having fewer exposed parts, the primary advantages of the shaft drive are smoother peddling and the ability to change gears when the bicycle is stopped or going up a steep hill.
An enthusiastic cyclist, Perugini was working in software when he began looking for a new bicycle and “fell in love” with shaft drives.
Impressed by how well the technology worked, he first became a U.S. distributor and then bought the factory in Taiwan that makes the systems.
“Ninety percent of ongoing bicycle maintenance costs are related to the chain and derailers,” Perugini said. “It dramatically simplifies things: There are no tune-ups and it is much more resilient to weather and sand.”
Initially operating in Massachusetts, Perugini moved the company to Bristol at least in part to be close to the East Bay Bike Path, which allows him to bike to work.
“It makes it easy to practice what I preach and you see the world differently when you get on your bike to work instead of getting in the car,” Perugini said.
Since the recession, Dynamic has been growing by about 18-20 percent each year, Perugini said, and does not currently have much competition in shaft-drive production. He estimates his factory has been a part of making between 38,000 and 40,000 shaft drives.
Going forward, Perugini hopes Providence finds a sponsor for its bike-share system, not only for the growth it will bring Dynamic, but for the potential boost for the state’s bicycle infrastructure.
“We are huge advocates of bike share,” Perugini said. “We are part of some very big bike-share systems and are riding the tide of this market.” •

COMPANY PROFILE
Dynamic Bicycles Inc.
OWNERS: Patrick Perugini and Devin Kelly
TYPE OF BUSINESS: Shaft-drive bicycle producer
LOCATION: 257 Franklin St., Unit 10, Bristol
EMPLOYEES: 3-4, depending on season
YEAR ESTABLISHED: 2004
ANNUAL SALES: $1 million

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