Major Strategic Cooperation Sealed | Jiankun Sports Joins Forces with Professor Wu’s Team from Beihang University to Reshape the New Landscape of Two-Wheeler Drivetrain Components with Mg-Li Alloys
Time: 2026-07-04
Lightweight design has become an irreversible megatrend across the global two-wheeler industry. Driven by new national standard regulations and the upgrading of cycling consumption, core transmission parts including cranksets, crank arms and flywheels have reached an inflection point for material iteration. Focusing on the ultra-light new material track, Shenzhen Jiankun Sports Equipment has formally sealed a strategic cooperation agreement for customized magnesium-lithium (Mg-Li) alloy cranks with Professor Wu Guoqing’s research team from Yuanhang Research Institute, affiliated with Beihang University. The partnership pioneers a complete industrial chain integrating top-tier material R&D and mass production of precision components, enabling the company to seize the prime market window for new lightweight materials in two-wheeler mobility.
I. Lightweight Wave Sweeps the Two-Wheeler Industry: Mg-Li Alloy Emerges as the Next-Generation Core Material
With the rollout of new national standards, weight limits for complete electric two-wheelers and plastic-restriction policies have officially taken effect, capping plastic components at no more than 5.5% of a vehicle’s total weight. Conventional steel and aluminum materials are hampered by excessive self-weight, failing to satisfy three core demands simultaneously: lightweight construction, extended range and improved handling. Industry-wide consensus confirms that a 10% reduction in vehicle weight can boost e-bike mileage by 6%–8%; cutting unsprung mass by 1kg delivers an equivalent 10kg weight reduction for the whole vehicle, drastically enhancing climbing power and cornering performance.
Following copper (8.9g/cm³), iron (7.8g/cm³) and aluminum alloy (2.7g/cm³), magnesium-lithium alloy stands as the fourth generation of ultra-light structural metal materials. Boasting an ultra-low density of 1.35~1.55g/cm³, it serves as a revolutionary alternative for two-wheeler transmission components, outperforming traditional aluminum, steel and ordinary magnesium alloys across all key performance metrics:
- Extreme weight reduction to ease riding fatigue Cranks and cranksets of identical specifications weigh 40% less than aluminum counterparts, 75% less than steel parts and 20% lighter than standard magnesium alloy products. This significantly reduces pedaling load and cuts physical exhaustion during mountain off-roading and long-distance rides.
- Superior vibration damping and noise reduction for smoother transmission Its damping coefficient is dozens of times higher than ordinary aluminum alloy, effectively absorbing bumps and vibrations during riding, eliminating resonant noise from cranks and flywheels, and improving transmission smoothness and overall vehicle durability.
- High thermal conductivity and strong electromagnetic shielding ideal for e-bikes Excellent heat dissipation rapidly expels operational heat generated by e-bike drivetrains, slowing the aging of bearings and gears. Its electromagnetic shielding property safeguards e-bike electronic control units and prevents malfunctions caused by electromagnetic interference.
- Eco-friendly and recyclable, aligning with global low-carbon trends The material features low-carbon production and unlimited recyclability, meeting global ESG supply chain standards and carbon tariff requirements, and helping vehicle brands boost product premium value.
- High ductility for diversified molding flexibility Ultra-high elongation accommodates precision forging of complex curved and hollow crank structures, breaking the forming limitations of traditional aluminum alloys while balancing lightweight design and structural strength.
From a global market perspective, the domestic two-wheeler market (covering road bikes, mountain bikes, e-bikes and kids’ bikes) will exceed 165 billion RMB in 2026, triggering surging demand for lightweight components. Once a niche material exclusive to aerospace and military applications, Mg-Li alloy is rapidly being adopted for civilian sports equipment. It is projected to become the standard material for high-end bicycles and e-bike drivetrains within the next 3–5 years.
II. Exclusive Interview with Professor Wu Guoqing from Beihang University: 20 Years of R&D on Mg-Li Alloys End Foreign Monopoly and Achieve Domestic Mass Production
The technological core of this strategic cooperation stems from the ultra-light material research team led by Professor Wu Guoqing at Beihang University. A pioneer in the industrialization of domestic Mg-Li alloys, Professor Wu has dedicated decades to researching ultra-light metallic materials:
- Technological Breakthroughs: In 2002, he pioneered rare earth-reinforced Mg-Li alloy technology, breaking long-term technological monopolies held by European and American manufacturers. His research solved bottlenecks plaguing the industry, including poor corrosion resistance and insufficient strength of Mg-Li alloys, laying the foundational domestic formula system for the material.
- Industrial Commercialization: In 2019, he founded Shandong Yuanhang Ultra-Light Materials Research Institute Co., Ltd., launching China’s first large-scale 400kg-class Mg-Li alloy smelting production line. The facility achieves stable mass output of 300 tons of high-strength and high-toughness Mg-Li alloys annually, translating laboratory technology into industrialized manufacturing.
- Full-Chain Layout: The team has mastered the complete industrial chain from salt lake lithium extraction, alloy smelting and modification processing to surface treatment. Independently developed core technologies such as YAl₂ particle reinforcement and composite ball milling modification support mature mass production of multiple Mg-Li alloy grades including LA141, LZ91 and LA91. These materials have been widely deployed in satellite housings, drone structural parts and individual military equipment, validated under extreme working conditions in aerospace applications.
- Cross-Industry Application to Two-Wheelers: Leveraging aerospace-grade material technology for civilian use, the subsidiary Guangdong Yuanhang Limei developed a 6kg full Mg-Li alloy concept bicycle, verifying the feasibility of lightweight frames and transmission components and kicking off the industrialization of Mg-Li alloys for two-wheelers.
Professor Wu commented: “Mg-Li alloys were once restricted to aerospace and military use due to high smelting barriers and steep costs. After years of iterative process upgrades and large-scale production line construction by our team, domestic salt lake lithium and magnesium resources enable independent raw material supply, continuously driving down mass production costs. Sports equipment and two-wheelers represent the next trillion-yuan market for Mg-Li alloy applications. Jiankun’s over ten years of expertise in precision manufacturing of drivetrain components perfectly fills the production gap for new material commercialization. This industry-university-research alliance is an inevitable choice for industrial upgrading.”
III. Jiankun × Yuanhang Limei Sign Official Cooperation Agreement: Focus on Mg-Li Alloy Cranks to Build New Barriers for Drivetrain Components
Guangdong Yuanhang Limei Technology Co., Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shandong Yuanhang Ultra-Light Materials, and Shenzhen Jiankun Sports Equipment recently signed a strategic cooperation agreement for customized Mg-Li alloy cranks. Parallel cooperation talks are underway with leading manufacturers of wheel hubs and rims, marking the formation of China’s first closed supply chain for core Mg-Li alloy transmission parts for two-wheelers.
Jiankun’s Forward-Thinking Layout: Three Core Advantages in the Ultra-Light New Material Track
As a benchmark domestic manufacturer of two-wheeler drivetrain systems, Jiankun has over a decade of R&D and production experience covering full-range cranksets, crank arms, flywheels and belt drive systems for mountain bikes, road bikes, kids’ bikes and e-bikes, serving as a core supplier for numerous top domestic and international complete vehicle brands.
Its entry into the Mg-Li alloy sector is no coincidence, but a forward-looking long-term strategic move supported by three major strengths:
- Strong R&D Capabilities with Targeted Investment in New Material Innovation Anticipating the ultra-light alloy trend in the early lightweight development stage of the industry, Jiankun invested heavily in manpower, equipment and funding to build a dedicated new material laboratory. Long-term sample testing has resolved key commercialization challenges of Mg-Li cranks, including forming processes, strength matching and wear-resistant modification. The company boasts full independent R&D capacity spanning product design, mold forging, precision CNC machining and finished product testing, enabling seamless transition from small-batch prototyping to mass delivery.
- Integrated Industrial Chain Synergy Upstream: Exclusive access to core material technology from Professor Wu’s Yuanhang team, granting priority to mature mass-produced Mg-Li alloy blanks, aerospace-grade modification processes and cost advantages. Downstream: Leveraging Jiankun’s decade-long global network of complete vehicle clients, covering leading domestic e-bike brands and high-end cycling manufacturers across Europe and America, enabling seamless commercialization of new material components from R&D to end markets.
- Comprehensive Full-Range Product Portfolio with Broad Industrialization Potential Jiankun’s product lineup covers all two-wheeler transmission accessories. Beyond the flagship Mg-Li cranks to be launched in phase one, the company will gradually roll out a full spectrum of Mg-Li parts including cranksets, flywheels, bottom brackets, belt pulleys and kids’ bike cranks. Applications will expand from high-end road bikes and professional mountain bikes to civilian e-bikes, lightweight folding bikes and children’s bicycles, far exceeding the market reach of single-component manufacturers.
Milestone Cooperation: Transforming Aerospace Materials into Cycling Parts to Accelerate Civilian Adoption
The signed partnership centers on customized development of Mg-Li alloy cranks, combining Yuanhang’s aerospace-grade material formulas with Jiankun’s precision manufacturing techniques to deliver three landmark breakthroughs:
- Enhanced Performance Cranks of the same specification achieve a 35%–42% weight reduction compared to aluminum alternatives, with tensile and fatigue strength meeting professional racing standards. Multiplied vibration damping eliminates the numb, jarring pedal feel common with traditional heavy cranks.
- Optimized Cost Structure Large-scale mass production and domestically self-sourced raw materials will gradually lower the retail price of Mg-Li components, breaking the market monopoly of high-end lightweight parts dominated by carbon fiber and imported titanium alloy products.
- Integrated Industrial Ecosystem Joint collaboration with leading wheel hub and rim manufacturers completes the closed supply chain for core Mg-Li two-wheeler components. Moving forward, the partners will co-develop group industry standards for Mg-Li bicycle parts, empowering domestic lightweight components to compete globally.
IV. Future Outlook: New Materials Fuel Two-Wheeler Upgrading, Jiankun Leads the New Lightweight Era
Driven by triple dividends from policy, consumer demand and technological advancement, the era of industrialized Mg-Li alloy two-wheeler components has arrived.
Moving forward, Jiankun will collaborate with Yuanhang Limei and Professor Wu’s R&D team to implement a three-phase roadmap:
- Phase 1: Complete mass production and delivery of Mg-Li alloy cranks for mountain and road bikes;
- Phase 2: Launch a full line of Mg-Li drivetrain components for e-bikes and children’s bicycles;
- Phase 3: Partner with complete vehicle manufacturers to develop mass-produced full Mg-Li lightweight bicycles.
Continuous Process Iteration: Building on Yuanhang’s fourth-generation smelting technology and YAl₂ reinforcement modification processes, the team will keep optimizing product strength and corrosion resistance, expanding Mg-Li alloy applications to belt drive systems, motor housings and other new product categories.
Global Market Expansion: Utilizing Jiankun’s existing domestic and overseas sales channels, the company will export domestically developed aerospace-grade ultra-light Mg-Li components to cycling markets across Europe, America and Southeast Asia, establishing a benchmark Chinese brand for independent lightweight bicycle parts.
Aerospace weight-reduction technology once reserved for aircraft is now reinventing bicycle cranks for everyday riders, as magnesium-lithium alloy sparks a material revolution in two-wheeler mobility. Riding the new material megatrend, Jiankun Sports combines forward-thinking vision, robust manufacturing capacity and top-tier scientific research resources to anchor itself in the ultra-lightweight golden track, continuously empowering global cycling industry upgrading with cutting-edge new material technology.
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