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Home / Mountain Bikes and Gear / Components / Drivetrain / Survey

Do you own a gearbox mountain bike?

We want to know if you own a gearbox mountain bike, and if so, which one.

By Jeff Barber
March 23, 2025

9 comments

Singletracks may receive compensation for purchases made through any affiliate links in this article.

File photo: Matt Miller

More riders are becoming interested in gearbox mountain bikes as of late, especially when it comes to gravity racing. With gearbox bikes from several brands to choose from, we’re curious to know how many riders already own one.

If you own a gearbox bike or are thinking about buying one, tell us which one it is in the comments below.

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Jeff Barber

Jeff Barber has been mountain biking since 1992 and has tested hundreds of mountain bikes and components. He is the co-founder of Singletracks and serves as Editor in Chief. Contact him at [email protected].

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9 Comments

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Sunspot Colorado // 2019
3 weeks ago

Only thing I cannot stand is grip shift. Grip shifters are a non starter.
They get their stuff together on a proper shifter, I will entertain Pinion on my next custom frame.

5 reply

Bontrager fan 1972 New South Wales // 2023
3 weeks ago

The weight and I don't like the twist shifter of Pinion .

4 reply

bpmaiden 2021
3 weeks ago

I love the idea of removing weight from the rear suspension, and putting it directly below the rider. I wish a clever engineer would make a lightweight centralized gearbox that can shift gears under all riding conditions, pedaling or not. (But kudos to the gearheads who brought us the existing gearboxes!)

In my dreams I'd buy a commuter bike right away, with one of today's gearboxes and a Gates drive. But I have zero budget at the moment, so I'm just enjoying the show, hoping the technology gets even better (and not just for gravity riders).

2 reply

BW102 California // 2025
3 days ago

You may already know, but Pinion does have an electronic shifting version that can shift when you are pedaling. It does so when the cranks are at the 12 and 6 'o clock position as the gears are experiencing the least amount of torque then. I was able to demo the system and it does indeed work well. However, you may be objecting to the weight of the Pinion system with electronic shifting. I believe The Loam Wolf (YouTube channel) found a method of getting the grip shift system to shift while pedaling, which involved attempting to rotate the shifter (essentially pre-loading it), and when the cranks reached the 12 and 6 'o clock position, the system would push the gears into place as it could manage to overcome the relatively low crank torque. This just seems like a good way to accelerate wear and bevel your gears, so I'm not a fan of this approach.

My guess is that while Pinion (and perhaps others) make their cases out of magnesium, the gears are likely hardened steel to prevent premature wear, hence the weight.

0 reply

Claude Bike Italy // 2019
3 weeks ago

having owned a Rohloff, the weight and also the drag, the shfting under power, the noise, aren't for me.

2 reply

Cstrupish England // 2025
2 weeks ago

Carbonwasp fat bike with pinion smart shift, custom 3D printed ti cranks, huge Q factor!

1 reply

Jdmpurest Michigan // 2021
2 weeks ago

I wish I could have one, really badly! Gearboxes are the future, unfortunately they are too expensive at the moment.

1 reply

BW102 California // 2025
3 days ago

I have a C1.12 Pinion gearbox hardtail and am very pleased with it. I tried out two bikes, one with a grip shift and one with an electronic trigger shifter and preferred the grip shift. I felt a delay in shifting the electronic version when crossing many gears as the system had to stop at each gear before progressing, whereas with the grip shift I can shift as fast as I can twist. As for the feel of the grip shift - I previously thought I would never return to it after getting to experience trigger shifters, but I don't mind the grip shift at all. As for the weight and possible difference in mechanical losses: I don't mind them at all as the benefits for me outweigh what I might be giving up. I will admit that a large portion of my interest was purely because I think the internal gearbox system is cool, so I am biased and may be willing to overlook certain things that are deal breakers for others.

The bike frame itself is very light, so it helps to offset the weight of the gearbox.

0 reply

skypig Australia // 2013
2 weeks ago

I’d only consider one on an eBike. Where any loss of efficiency would be less important. I’d give up riding before riding a grip shift (or a bike with streamers attached to the bars or a kick stand) :)

0 reply

Tagged: gearbox, survey, gear, pinion, drivetrain

First published March 23, 2025 @ 6:36:00