[Music]
Over the last decade, Pinion gearboxes have proven to be a tough and reliable alternative
to both derailleur gears and internal gear hubs. Pinion gearboxes are offered with 6,
9, 12, and 18 gears, are weather-sealed from the elements, are super quiet,
are belt drive compatible, and require very little maintenance - just an oil change every 10,000
kilometers. They can potentially last a lifetime too. Many users have already exceeded 100,000
kilometers. The 2024 update addresses two key issues that have long prevented the widespread
adoption of gearboxes - shifting under pedal load, and the need to use a grip shifter to
change your gears. In this video, we'll look at the new shifter options and why
they are game-changers in this space. I'll explain how these gearboxes shift under load,
and we'll discuss why they tip the balance and are a derailleur killer for many riders.
[Music] The 2024 range might look identical to the Pinion C-Line gearboxes but they've been
redesigned to cope with stronger shifting forces, there is a new crankset design,
there are integrated sensors, and the way the electronic shift cables feed into the gearbox
is different too. You can identify these new gearboxes by looking out for an 'i'
in the product name, and importantly they are not compatible with a grip shifter.
Grip shifters have long been a sticking point for both existing gearbox users and potential
new customers alike. Some people simply don't like the grip shifter ergonomics,
but more practically, they can be hard to rotate when they are wet or muddy, or when you have sweat
or sun cream on your hands. They can also be a problem for those who have wrist conditions,
wrist injuries, or as a result of hand fatigue from endurance cycling. Additionally,
there has never been a great way to mount grip shifters on drop bar bikes... until now.
You might have already seen the Pinion electronic trigger shifter as it was
released last year for e-bikes and is also used with the new Pinion motor gearbox unit.
However, the mountain bike trigger is now available for those who prefer to
ride without battery assistance, and there are new drop bar shifters too. These shifters are
wired to a tiny battery near the gearbox and complete gear changes in just 0.2 of a second.
Like all gearboxes, you can shift gears whether you're pedaling or not.
You might think the electronic shifting is completely over the top but it's actually
essential for shifting under pedal load. This is because the gearbox can now engage the next
gear when your crankset is at the vertical position, which is when there is a natural
slump in torque. The shifts don't feel quite as immediate as a derailleur but they're definitely
faster than other gearboxes that require you to briefly let off pressure from the pedals. And a
cool thing is that you can move from the lowest to the highest gear in about two seconds flat,
which is surprisingly useful when the trail instantly pitches up.
The trigger shifter has a very familiar shape and its rubberized haptic button
surfaces have an excellent grip and feel. As it's electric, you can decide which button shifts up
and which shifts down. On a battery charge, the shifter will make approximately 20,000 shifts,
which will likely last multiple months for most users. The battery is small and waterproof and
can be mounted either inside or outside the frame. It's fully charged in under three hours.
With pedal and wheel sensors, new semi-automatic shifting modes are also possible. For example,
when coming to a complete stop the gearbox can automatically shift to a start gear. Or when
coasting you can ask the gearbox to make automatic shifts based on your speed and pedal cadence. The
gearbox will then have the perfect gear lined up for when you next need to pedal! These gearboxes
use a Bluetooth Low Energy interface and can be connected to the Pinion SmartShift app. This is
where you can configure the shifting behavior and button assignment and see information about
the charging status and firmware updates. There is also an optional Sigma display that will show
your gear indicator, charging status, cadence, and even turn-by-turn navigation via Komoot.
Currently, the only brands to announce the new trigger shifter are Priority, Viral, and VSF.
If you're interested in gearboxes, you might like my touring and bikepacking
bike buyer's guides. These guides teach you everything about the bikes
and equipment before allowing you to compare hundreds of bikes at the back of the books.
There are over 80 bikes with gearboxes featured in the touring guide alone.
The trigger shifter is certainly welcome news but the drop bar shifters are even more exciting
as they bring Pinion gearboxes to gravel bikes. Drop bars allow you to ride in a more aerodynamic
position that's simply more efficient for covering distance. They also offer multiple handholds,
they can be better for splitting traffic in cities, and some find the hand and wrist
angles to be extra comfortable too. Pairing drop bars and gearboxes is usually clunky at best.
There are a handful of aftermarket shifters that are designed to do the job, however,
the shifter throw is often long, and the shifts are usually just one shift per movement. Yes,
you can install Pinion grip shifters onto some drop bars but then you don't have easy access
to the shifter while riding in the brake hoods. The new TRP Pinion electronic shifters have an
excellent shape and pair with TRP hydraulic brakes too. Both the brake line and the cable to the
Pinion gearbox run invisibly under the bar tape or inside your handlebars for a super neat look.
The only confirmed bike model with the drop bar shifter is the Pilot Scram.
With the ability to shift under a load and the shifters now sorted,
Pinion gearboxes will probably tip the balance over derailleurs and be the ultimate
drivetrain for many cyclists. Imagine never adjusting your gears, destroying a derailleur,
replacing a cassette, or even cleaning and lubing a chain.
Let's now re-examine the remaining downsides to using a bike with a Pinion gearbox. Firstly,
the Pinion gearbox price will remain high for the foreseeable future due to the product quality and
overall production volumes. Expect around US $3000 or 3000 Euros to be the starting price
for a complete Pinion bike. But it's worth noting that the gearbox space is heating up and a Korean
startup is aiming to produce a competitor at a significantly lower price. There is still a weight
disadvantage of approximately one and a half kilograms compared to a derailleur drivetrain,
however, keep in mind that bike weight matters much less than you think. And this is especially
the case if you ride on flat terrain, if your body weight is already on the heavy side, or if
you're already carrying lots of luggage, food, and water anyway. After all, a kilogram is often just
one or two percent of your combined bike and body weight. There's also a case to be made in terms of
performance for a heavier gearbox drivetrain on a full-suspension bike. When you've removed the
cassette and derailleur weight from the rear swing arm, the rear suspension will respond
quicker to ground forces. This means better small bump sensitivity and even more grip. A bigger
concern for some is that gearboxes will never be as efficient as a clean and well-lubricated
derailleur drivetrain. Some quick napkin maths suggests a derailleur bike will have you cycling
between 0.4 and 0.8 kilometers per hour faster (depending on the gradient) and with the same
power output. But keep in mind that mud and grit can very quickly cut into this speed difference.
The 2024 Pinion gearbox is a derailleur killer if you prioritize long-term durability,
a wide gear range, and an ultra-low maintenance design. With the new
trigger and drop bar shifters you no longer need to compromise with a grip shifter. And
better yet these new shifters allow you to change your gears under a pedal load. Yes,
they are expensive but have you seen the price of SRAM XX derailleurs, chains, and cassettes? It'll
take a few years but due to these changes, I suspect more gravel and mountain bikes with
gearboxes are on their way. I'm also fascinated to see how other gearbox and internal gear hub
manufacturers stay competitive in this space. Make sure to like and subscribe to stay in the loop.
[Music]