Company News

January, 2009 - Sussex Unveils New Road Bike Component Set for Shimano 8-speed Internal Gear Hubs.

Sussex today announced the immediate availability of its new Versa component set. Consisting of the Versa road shifter and two crankset options, the Versa components work specifically with the Shimano Alfine 8-speed and Nexus 8-speed hubs to bring out the best in performance and versatility from these internal hubs.

Using the Versa components, bike companies can build the first ever internally geared road bicycles. Internally geared road bicycles meet the growing demand for simplicity and versatility in the road bike category. Bicycles using the Versa components and Shimano internal hubs will be excellent for touring, commuting, event riding and will appeal to enthusiast road riders looking for more simplicity and lower maintenance from their road bike.

The Versa VRS-8 Road shifter is an STI-style (Shimano Total Integration) shifter that integrates shifting and braking into a single lever that is mounted onto drop-style road handlebars. The shifter uses independent up/down shifters for smooth precise shifting at any time - while pedaling coasting, or even at a complete stop. The Versa lever set works exclusively with the Shimano Alfine 8 and Nexus 8 internal gear hubs, providing a wide range of gearing from a compact internal hub. With the Shimano 8-speed hubs, Versa-equipped bikes will have 95% of the gear range of a compact double chainring, and 92% of the range of a full triple chainring, but without any external derailleurs or chain tensioners. This enables Versa-equipped bikes to have a unique clean look, high efficiency, low weight and very low maintenance.

The Versa product line includes two crankset options. The first uses an external bottom bracket style for light weight and high efficiency. The second crankset uses the square taper standard for more moderately priced bike options. Both crankset use a 6061 alloy crankset with 6061 46T single CNC machined chainring.

December, 2008 - Sussex Moves into New Factory to Keep Pace with Growth and Product Line Expansion.

This move doubles Sussex manufacturing space and more than doubles its output capacity by adding a additional assembly line and a larger research and development facilities. With its expanded resources, the new Sussex factory will enable Sussex to continue to innovate and develop new products to complement the Shimano family of internal gear hubs, and enable Sussex to reduce delivery times and continually expand quality control. With this new factory, Sussex also expanded its production and engineering staff.