Engineering Bike Lab
From the beginning, we’ve been pioneers in the long-tail cargo bike revolution. Our founder, Etienne Richelle, a former racing car engineer, brings an unwavering passion for performance, advanced materials, and scientific rigor to our Research & Development Lab.
We continuously design, test, and refine our bikes with an in-house engineering team committed to pushing boundaries and reimagining what’s possible on two wheels.
Here are a list of home made technologies :
Footbox
We invented the footbox, for security & capacity. It’s a unique box where small kids put their legs to win some precious space below the seat tube and to protect the legs from any shock. This invention allowed us to offer maximum length on the rear rack to be the only long-tail bike to accommodate comfortably 3 kids.
The Footbox is a Patented techonology.
Up & Down
To create a one-size-fits-all solution for families, we designed the Up & Down system. It enables fast and simple adjustments, making the bike accessible for riders from 145 cm to 190 cm tall. Perfect for families where both parents share school drop-off and pickup duties.
Pivotable Bench Kit
From day one, users asked for solutions to transport kids without straining their backs. Inspired by the car industry’s vertical doors, we developed a pivoting bench kit mounted on the seat tube. It features a unique, child-safe locking system that automatically secures and resists one-handed operation. Bonus: it pairs seamlessly with our rain canopy system, allowing full functionality even in wet conditions.
Multi-Motor Interface
From inception, we refused to lock ourselves into a single motor provider. We developed the Multi-Motor Interface: a modular, adaptable system that allows users to choose and upgrade motors over the bike’s lifetime. Unlike standard e-bikes molded around a single motor, Bike43 frames remain future-proof, repairable, and compatible with evolving technologies.
Our R&D Core Beliefs and Practices
Frame Stiffness: We built our own torsion test bench to measure and benchmark frame rigidity, ensuring optimal performance and handling.
Agility and Safety: Low center of gravity is crucial for maneuverability. Our signature setup—24″ front wheel and 20″ rear wheel—delivers unmatched stability, inspired by mullet setups in mountain biking.
Motor Evolution: We closely track advancements in motor technology, particularly for integration with internal gear hubs.
Low-Tech, High-Reliability: We favor simple, robust mechanical solutions over complex electronics. Our bikes are designed to be easy to maintain and repair, with minimal custom parts and maximum accessibility.
At the Bike43 Engineering Lab, every innovation is purpose-driven—designed to make family biking safer, more flexible, and truly built for a lifetime.
Etienne Richelle
Founder and inventor of Bike43