Chris Sugai has joined Gates as general manager of Gates Global Mobility. Sugai led Niner Bikes for 18 years. He was dismissed as the president of the brand he founded in Oct of 2022 by United Wheels, which owns Niner, VAST, Huffy, Buzz, and other bike manufacturers.
Adding Chris Sugai to the Gates leadership team signals our commitment to reach beyond the Gates automotive heritage and bring the best and brightest talent into the Gates family as we advance how the world moves. Whether it’s 29-inch wheels or disc brakes, Chris Sugai is a visionary thinker who was ahead of the curve on technologies that revolutionized bike design and improved the bicycling experience for customers around the globe. He will play a key role as we grow and expand our offerings for the personal mobility market.— Tom Pitstick, Chief Marketing Officer, and Senior Vice-President of strategic planning for Gates
I am absolutely thrilled to become a part of the dynamic team at Gates Corp’s Global Mobility Unit. As the world rapidly progresses toward e-motors for bicycles, scooters, and motorcycles, there is a dire need to reimagine the conventional use of chains and derailleurs, and explore cleaner, simpler, and more efficient alternatives. This is where the cutting-edge Gates Carbon Drive belt drive technologies come into play, promising to revolutionize the way we envision and execute drivetrains. With unparalleled strength, durability, and quiet operation, these innovative belts are poised to become a game-changer in the industry. I am eager to work with this exceptional team and contribute towards this exciting transformation. — Chris Sugai, General Manager of Gates Global Mobility
Gates, based in Denver, Colorado, specializes in belt drive systems within the cycling realm but is also involved “in a diverse range of applications across a wide variety of end markets ranging from harsh and hazardous industries such as agriculture, construction, manufacturing, and energy, to everyday consumer applications such as printers, power washers, automatic doors, and vacuum cleaners, and virtually every form of transportation.”
“Gates Carbon Drive is the best high-mileage bicycle drive on the market. Whether you’re an urban commuter, rugged mountain biker, eBike rider, or casual cruiser, Gates Carbon Drive has a solution. Choose from our CDX™ High-Performance or our CDN™ Urban products—each offering specialized sprockets, belts, and cranksets. Grease-free, rust-free, and hassle-free. Revolutionary indeed.”
