ESTABLISH
Zhuhai L-TWOO Sport Technology Co., Ltd. (hereafter referred to as L-TWOO) was founded in 2016 as a high-tech enterprise specializing in the R&D, production, and sales of core drivetrain systems for mid-to-high-end bicycles. Founder Mr. Liu Chunsheng, who is passionate about cycling and mechanical engineering, led a team of professionals who share his enthusiasm for the bicycle industry. Their mission was to promote L-TWOO's drivetrain technology globally. Mr. Liu Chunsheng, with a background in mechanical design, worked in various technical roles such as design engineer, product engineer, product manager, and project management for over 20 years before starting L-TWOO. His decade of experience at SRAM was particularly valuable. In 2016, SRAM decided to exit the Chinese market and move its factory to Taiwan. This marked the beginning of a new era for domestic drivetrain innovation in China. Reflecting on the early days in a 2021 interview, Mr. Liu mentioned: “Back then, there were few well-performing domestic brands in the drivetrain sector. There were no original products or core patents, and many counterfeit products hurt the reputation of domestic brands. I saw great potential in this field.” L-TWOO faced numerous challenges as a newcomer. “The biggest initial problem was funding. We needed money for various aspects, and borrowing was necessary. I didn't realize that developing a small component like a drivetrain would be so costly. Our initial capital of around 500,000 to 600,000 RMB was quickly depleted. We had to mortgage our house and secure additional loans, which also ran out fast. It wasn't until 2016 that we managed to raise more funds through financing, which solved the immediate problem. Another challenge was business management. My background was in R&D, and I lacked experience in business management, production, marketing, and personnel management. Gaining user trust was also difficult at first. The domestic market was plagued with counterfeit products, which negatively affected all serious brands, including ours. However, starting in 2019, our products began gaining recognition. Many well-known brands started ordering L-TWOO drivetrains, and feedback has been very positive.”
In October 2020, L-TWOO moved its headquarters to a new facility, which is now several times larger due to expanding production capacity. In product development, L-TWOO faced significant challenges. Mr. Liu Chunsheng commented, "The startup journey for many companies involves imitation, breakthrough, and innovation. Building a business and a brand takes time. The development cycle for a derailleur, from concept to patent approval, typically takes at least three to four years. For L-TWOO, avoiding patent infringements while innovating makes it even more challenging. Whether in the automotive or consumer electronics sectors, industrial products require extensive refinement to improve quality. Even established brands continually optimize and fix issues with their new products. For derailleurs, where many strong brands already exist, new entrants need to invest more time and resources to overcome patent barriers." To address these issues, L-TWOO's first department after its establishment was the legal department, where a team of patent engineers studies existing patents and anticipates potential infringement risks. In the derailleur field, invention patents are crucial. L-TWOO, focusing on research and development, is currently ranked first in China for the number of patents.
