nir-vana innovation network

The Norwegian bicycle tyre company develops and commercializes excellent, innovative, and user-friendly modular tyre products for European and North American markets, focused towards e-bikes and commuters.

The invention consists of a slick base tyre, featuring their patented zip-on technology on the side of the tyre's wall, that is interchangeable with the tyre treads. The products are designed to handle all types of weather and road conditions, which the user can choose depending on the needs. The company markets a range of modular tyres with different tread types, mainly for snow and ice conditions, but also gravel and trail.

Their journey started in 2015, when the first prototype with a fastening mechanism was developed. After two years of thorough development and testing, a patent was granted, and the alpha version of the bicycle tyre launched.

Today, they are selling the 3rd generation of products, which includes perfected zip-on technology with stainless steel zippers, new tread technology for ultra-thin and durable tyre treads, and improved rubber compounds that have gone through extensive user testing in different harsh environments.

The company is now recognized globally, with a presence in some of the largest sport chains, distributors, and international online stores.

The company aims to become a world-class tyre company and the undisputed go-to brand for modular tyre systems, with a strong and clear global brand identity, and is now looking for partners, including manufacturers, bike brands, and retailers, to bring the system to commuters in new markets.

Advantages & innovations

The company has developed a modular system that makes it easy for anyone to quickly adapt to changing road conditions, simply by zipping on a tyre tread to the base tyre that is mounted on the bike. This solution feels, acts, and performs like a conventional tyre, but it is much more convenient to change for the user: allowing the users to change their tyres to appropriate treads in less than a minute, gives the freedom to ride further when the terrain changes (from asphalt to gravel roads), and the safety to use their bikes when the weather changes (from dry to icy roads). The company aims to help more commuters become year-round cyclists: The full compatibility between the base tyres and the tyre treads gives the opportunity to its users to expand the use of their bike in various conditions, and have a higher probability to make them year-round cyclists. Therefore, a bike with modular tyres becomes a year-round-bike, and makes it easier to promote, as well as it stands out from the crowd. The company increasingly adds value and unique functionality to the bikes, thus providing the end customer with more value for the money when choosing them over the competitors. Because the system contributes to the prolongation of the tyre tread lifespan, compared to any other tyre that would wear quicker and would need replacement faster, thus making it the best option for those with a tight budget. The solution outperforms the industry in terms of user-friendliness, convenience, and business model, by differentiating itself from the competitors: Word-of-mouth is an incredibly effective way of marketing. With the revolutionary system, the bike becomes the subject of conversations. Finally, the company received several awards: European Seal of Excellence 2020, Best Bike Tyre 2019, Red Dot Design 2019, which is another great way to generate interest through the growing success of the company.

Stage of development

Already on the market

Partner sought

The company is looking for partnerships with manufacturers, bike brands, and retailers in new markets. New markets include but are not limited to: Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Germany, Benelux. Partners can be from SME to larger bicycle companies. Preferable partners are decision-makers in the department of management, sales, purchasing, product, partnership, or brand.