Eurobike Retrospective 2011 Part 2 – The Gearboxes

Anyone who knows me knows that I love gearbox bikes and hate derailleurs with a passion! I am even halfway through my own gearbox bike project, so it was with some excitement that went to Eurobike, the traditional home of weird and wonderful gearbox creations.

So how was it?- Truthfully, a bit disappointing in some aspects- there were no “Wow-look at me”, totally out-there, built in a shed by a crazed boffin, wonder-creations that have you scratching your head in amazement. However, what there was was the subtle refinement of a gearbox product that could well be “the next big thing” and may wake the slumbering giants of Shimano and Sram from their derailleur-obsessed sleep.
The product in question is the Pinion P1.18.

Leave it to the Germans to design and create such a technological marvel and not shout it from the rooftops! First lauched a year ago at Eurobike 2010, the Pinion P1.18 is the product of almost 5 years of research and design. It is the brainchild of two German Engineers (and bike riders), Michael Schmitz and Christoph Lermen who met whilst working at Porsche. United by a frustration at traditional derailleur systems, the two set down to design something better. This is what they came up with;

18 gears with a range of 636% (Greater than a traditional derailleur set-up, with no overlaps)
11.5% gear steps (similar to a close ratio cassette)
3179g total weight (including shifter and cranks)
Oil change only every 10,000km/once a year
Pretty neat, huh!

The gearbox unit is designed with the cranks built in and affixes to the front triangle via a special “bridge”. Unlike previous gearbox designs (like the G-boxx), the Pinion has an output concentric to the BB. This means that it can be used with current suspension pivot locations, although it is at the cost of having to run a chain tensioner (perhaps doing away with one of the reasons for a gearbox!). This tensioner can be run at either the rear (like a traditional derailleur) or at the gearbox (like the old Roox/Sunn chaindevices). Although the actual gearbox doesn’t have a concentric pivot option, there are still ways to run it without a tensioner that have not been fully explored yet. (if any bike companies are interested, just e-mail me!)

One of the other advantages over a traditional derailleur system is the weight positioning. Being based between your feet at the BB location means the Centre of Gravity is better positioned- better for cornering and jumping, as well as having a better sprung/unsprung weight ratio, meaning you’re your suspension can react faster.

All sound too good to be true? Surely there must be some downsides? Well, not everyone will like the twistshifter (although after trying it myself, I have no problems with it). Also, it comes with its own proprietary cranks (look for aftermarket ones in the future).
Pinion are not happy being a “one-product” brand, they are looking to build a transmission line to cover all aspects of cycling. This includes the E1.8 e-bike combined motor and gearbox and also had a Gates Carbon-Drive outfitted gearbox on display.

So what does this mean for downhill? Well, here we have an EXCLUSIVE descent-world scoop!-There is every chance there WILL be a downhill-dedicated gearbox with less gears. I spoke with one of the Engineers about the chance of a six-speed box (the current box utilises a 3×6 gearing to give 18 ratios, a DH box could use a 1×6 or 2×3 gearing to give 6 speeds) Obviously, they have to get any prototype to production problems sorted with the P1.18 first (scheduled for early 2012), but once that is in place they reckon that production of a 6 speed box (P1.6?) could be happening as early as this time next year!

I for one can’t wait!

Over and Out,
Ian “death to the derailleur” McIntosh.