Pinion Technology: Redefining Cycling with Innovative Gearboxes
I’m a cycling traditionalist, hooked on the click-clack of mechanical gears and wary of change. Electronic shifting? I’d rather tweak cables than tap an app. But Pinion’s gearbox tech is winning me over. This German innovation is transforming e-bikes, with durability and smarts. Lets take a look at who Pinion are, what their tech does, why cycling needs it, how it beats traditional shifting, and where to try it with Fully Charged in the UK.
Who Are Pinion?
Pinion started in 2011 in Stuttgart, born from Porsche engineers Christoph Lermen and Michael Schmitz. Their goal: bring automotive precision to bike drivetrains. Now partnered with 100+ brands, Pinion’s known for robust gearboxes. Their Motor.Gearbox.Unit (MGU) merges motor and gearbox, redefining e-bikes. At Fully Charged, we’re very excited to showcase its capabilities across our range!
What Is Pinion Technology?
Pinion swaps derailleurs for a sealed gearbox at the bottom bracket, using spur gears in an oil bath to dodge dirt and wear. The P-Line offers up to 18 gears, the C-Line 6-12. The MGU, launched in 2023, pairs a 12-speed gearbox with an e-bike motor, weighing 4.1kg with 85Nm torque, 600W power (800W S-pedelec), and a 600% gear range. Smart.Shift changes gears in 0.2 seconds, with Pre.Select and Start.Select for intuitive rides. A Gates belt drive adds a quiet, low-maintenance edge.
Why Does the Cycling Industry Need Pinion?
I love my derailleur’s clunk, but they’re fragile, maintenance-heavy, and weak against e-bike torque. With e-bikes booming and riders hitting tougher trails or longer commutes, cycling needs resilience. Pinion’s gearbox, needing an oil change every 10,000km, slashes upkeep and waste. Its central design boosts handling, perfect for e-MTBs. I can’t deny, Pinion is pushing bike design forward at a rapid rate.
What Are the Benefits of Pinion vs. Traditional Mechanical and Electric Shifting?
Pinion’s advantages over my mechanical setups and electronic systems are hard to ignore:
Tough and Low-Maintenance: Sealed from grime, it needs an oil change every 10,000km. My derailleurs demand constant care; electronic systems like Di2 still have exposed parts.
Seamless Shifts: Smart.Shift swaps gears in 0.2 seconds, under load or stopped, with 250Nm torque capacity. Mechanical shifts need pedal easing; electronic ones falter on e-bikes. Gone are the days of snapping chains, trying to change gears on climbs or popping chains off in chunky sections.
Wide Gear Range: The MGU’s 600% range tops SRAM Eagle’s 520%, with 17.7% steps for climbs and descents.
Better Handling: Low placement improves traction. Derailleurs add rear weight, hurting suspension.
Clean and Quiet: Belt drives ditch greasy chains. Electronic systems are tidier, but Pinion’s enclosed design wins. No more mucky hands or clunky, gritty systems.
Smart Features: Pre.Select/Start.Select and the FIT app offer semi-automatic shifting and customization, beating mechanical limits.
Where Can You Try a Pinion System?
Ready to test Pinion’s magic? Visit Fully Charged in London Bridge, Silverstone, Guildford, New Forest or Cornwall today. Our team will show you its seamless shifts. If it’s swaying a gear-clunk lover like me, it’s worth a go. Call to book a test ride!
