The Front Derailleur Killer? | Classified Powershift Hub Gear First Look

[@gcntech]

What do you think of this hot tech? Will it catch on?

[@taufikabidin412]

I think it is ca tching on, with Rohloff, pinion, sram dual drive etc, there is a movement towards internal gears. We would see more and more of it, better efficiency and quality.

[@QwertyUser1983]

If the price is affordable for beginners, That means we can mount giant chainring like 75t without worrying the FD max size capacity, usually 52t. Then, that also means later, sprocket 11t - 50t chainring 37t - 75t combi might be possible Now, how about cargo bike test for it durability? ٩(◕‿◕｡)۶

[@mattfenn1373]

I really like the look of this......hope it catches on and the prices come down a bit

[@deabreu.tattoo]

Probably too expensive

[@uaaadingding]

I like the idea. It's too expensive for my taste but understandable for the start. Questions: The cassette mount, is this an open standard so other suppliers can provide parts? Will there be a mechanical shifting option too? (not a fan of wireless shifters ...)

[@gabes-t]

I can now brag to my mates I climb with the big chainring.

[@Simon-le2jk]

there is no big chainring if there is only one

[@Alan-xxxxxx]

@@Simon-le2jk There's no small chainring

[@ImranShaikh-gh2wd]

😎 definitely

[@boracay12]

Where are the guys obsessed with each ounce of wieght? I'm sure this will cost about as much as a down payment on a house .

[@TeacherNickoy]

your mates will be confused how are you spinning with a big chain ring. hahahaha.

[@frozenbean]

As a lifetime cross chaining enthusiast, this is really appealing.

[@samuelhopely4853]

Alright "cross chaining enthusiast" is now going on my resume, that's fantastic!

[@glharlor]

Agreed, I am never used the small chain ring! This would be excellent! Sadly if it requires disk brakes it's a no go for me

[@MrLobsterity]

@@glharlorFinally you'll be able to enjoy the real brakes. Best regards, GMBN.

[@gcntech]

All of your problems are solved!

[@benszabo]

@@gcntech Where do I sign up to 1. get the certification for "cross chaining pro" 2. to sell a kidney to be able to afford this?

[@feedbackzaloop]

New pre-ride routine by GCN: charge head unit, charge di2, charge powermeter, charge lights, charge whoop, charge tyrewiz, charge through-axle.

[@Samwell314]

Now someone will need to design a common bicycle electrical system so everything can be powered by a single battery...

[@Mike_in_Thailand]

And their gopros, and the cameraman's gear.

[@RonaldBeirouti]

@@Samwell314 Even better, by a hub dynamo. At least it's one electrical device that you don't need to charge! 😀

[@ssaunders2k]

And technically charge their tyres with air as well.

[@keirfarnum6811]

Charge legs!

[@philtomlinson8220]

As others have said, this stands out as a genuinely useful bit of innovation, and seems to address all the limitations of both 1x x 2x systems. Although beyond my budget, it doesn't seem ridiculously expensive either, given that the conversion kit includes a pair of carbon wheels. Hope this takes off and comes down in price in the future.

[@Metal-Possum]

Back in days of old, some 2 speed hubs were wireless too. Kickback hubs were made by Bendix I believe, and you quite literally pedalled backwards slightly to shift between high and low.

[@kotsifis250]

Now this is some tech that's actually groundbreaking and hopefully it catches on. Variations of this should cover pretty much all bike disciplines in the future

[@nick37781]

internal gear hubs have existed for 50 years

[@keirfarnum6811]

@@nick37781 But have they been good enough to actually use?

[@mikehall6608]

@@keirfarnum6811 Yes, they're extremely common in commuter and city bikes.

[@raycath0de]

@@mikehall6608 have they been able to be used in conjunction with external gears simultaneously though?

[@mikehall6608]

@@raycath0de I'm not sure, but other comments below this video suggest they have.

[@idiachuk]

Finally! Something that really looks like a technology-driven improvement for bike tech world. We didn't see this for some long time. I'm fascinated, personally. Si rocks as usual) ..

[@nuttynut722]

agree, a real improvement over the gimmick CS drivetrain years ago!!!no bs!

[@rossfripp4503]

Agree, potentially the biggest innovation since di2.

[@hmcredfed1836]

It's crazy expensive dude! Nothing a normal person can or wants to afford! It's like putting a F1 beake system on your family car

[@idiachuk]

​@@hmcredfed1836 Exactly, buddy. Great comparison - some decades ago f1 brakes were as powerful as fiat punto ones. And that's why fiat punto is able to confidently stop nowadays. Tesla was making only superexpensive electric supercars at the beginning of its history, and now we can afford model 3. That's how it works, and that's why progress is a good thing. cheers

[@alainbellemare2168]

even better if it s titanium or carbon fiber

[@jeremystrachan9340]

2021: when cycling glasses and ski goggles become no longer distinguishable

[@mijus]

even diving ones included!

[@pascaljanietz156]

When’s the time that GCN switches to E-Scooters for the camera vehicle?

[@petrus94]

i second the request

[@Rindertvdt]

YES! That would absolutely be a good move!

[@AdamHegewald]

Yes the motor is quite loud....get something quiet ALREADY

[@MetalY2KMusic]

GCN should just mod their filming vehicle to have the exhaust come out somewhere not near the camera position

[@MuhammadArshad-zz8te]

In UK electric scooters are only limited to looters and phone snatchers. Unlikely GCN would get one 😂

[@elitedavidhorne8494]

I didn't want one, until I saw it. Now I definitely need one.

[@carly200]

"You cannot look down between your legs and see if you are in your big or small...." made my day ;-)

[@TeacherNickoy]

and have that reaction "oh my god its shrinking.'

[@mrv.9327]

Sturmey Archer CS-RK3 with 3x9 setup gives me 81 gears. Works great on my bike packing/touring setup. It's been around for a while and isn't very expensive

[@agunlogisteam]

What a madlad. Now imagine with Rohloff + pinion 😂😂😂

[@mrv.9327]

@@agunlogisteam does that actually exist? I'd love a rohlhoff hub, but way out of my price range @_@

[@whirving]

I have the older Sachs 3 x 7. Probably made by Sturmey Archer, not sure. Bike Friday used to spec them on most of their high end folding tour bikes. They are really durable and foolproof once set up properly.

[@JohnR31415]

@@whirving dual drive wasn’t SA, but yes - everything new is old.

[@mrv.9327]

Was it made before the buyout? I feel like the internals of the older sturmey archers are better quality than this. Although it's been a good hub for me

[@Derecq]

1950's touring bike set up, Sturmey Archer 3 speed hub with a 3 speed freewheel and triple chain rings.

[@casperixion]

I also created an online university profile service with pictures in 1999, but somehow my execution was not perfect! It is not always about who is first, but rather who has got it exactly right (and probably a bit of luck), and I think this looks very promising!

[@Pozi_Drive]

@@casperixion Only if there will be second, third and fourth sourcing of cassette parts.

[@2wheelsbest]

Just posted something similar. Just shows there is nothing new under the sun.

[@oranjid]

Indeed nothing relly new here. Did not really catch on, why would it do so much better today... In the year 2090: next copy of the same system. Will be sold as a new invention :D

[@vegn_brit5176]

In my childhood I had a Raleigh Grifter with a Sturmey Archer 3 speed hub and occasionally the gear used to slip and I'd invariably end up on the tarmac! Fortunately there wasn't a lot of traffic around in those days! I loved the bike to bits though.

[@elbertshanid8115]

Now fit it with double chainring and you get yourself 44 speed groupset.

[@rosskline]

Just need to figure out where to put the third shifter..

[@Hyleys]

Agree - I would do so

[@Hawlkeye-e9p]

11x46 cassette? 1x46 compliant derailleur? Match with shifter brand?

[@fubarryk]

@@rosskline a friction shifter on the barends...

[@cuebj]

@@fubarryk Used to be bar end friction shifters for touring bikes with hub gear trigger usually on downtube or top of handlebar- you could use twist grips but unreliable and astonishingly uncomfortable to use

[@birili32]

I came to this video as I was about to get a Rose bike with the Classified Hub. Today, after 1 month and a few rides, I am completely in love with this transmission. I will have some problems finding a dealer that provides the Classified cassette, but in the meantime, I am enjoying this piece of tech

[@morganrowe]

Hoping you guys can swap to EV motorcycles soon as it will give the sound guy's an easier job! Nice vid and tech 🤙

[@nuttynut722]

a sound guy for utube video? I don't think so, they all use clip on anyway

[@whatwelearned]

@@nuttynut722 He might mean the audio editor

[@morganrowe]

Yeh editor, sorry.

[@Kimberly_Sparkles]

@@nuttynut722 there is a sound guy running the “clip on” mics. No one lets talent set those up on their own.

[@joyousland]

The bike is really noisy and kill the tranquil atmosphere of cycling

[@british.urchin]

It’s slightly concerning when a consumable part, like the cassette, is only available from one small company.

[@dlevi67]

Agree. However - mitigating: 1) it's in steel, so presumably quite durable and 2) it's early on; all new technology is 'one supplier' when introduced. The real test is whether Classified will publish the cassette specifications or whether they will keep them proprietary.

[@Stoney3K]

@@dlevi67 Or if they are able to downscale the tech even further so it will accept standard cassettes.

[@WARnTEA]

Yea, thankfully though the consumable part is easy to copy as its just metal, so if this tech catches on, all of the big cassette players in asia will produce aftermarket ones. Hopefully shimano acquires this company and makes it their standard because their front derailleur is god awful. I actually run a sram rival front derailleur on my ultegra bike (with ultegra shifters) because not only is the rival lighter,cheaper and has a free chainkeeper, but there is no trimming so you just set the inner and outer limits and it works perfectly. No fiddling around with certain gears rubbing and others not.

[@markpalmer3071]

yeah, for now, but it's pretty cool.

[@wasupwitdat1mofiki94]

@@WARnTEA You are mistaken, It's SRAM that gets the majority of complaints around the internet about the poor shifting of the front derailleur. I have Shimano DA Di2 and I have never dropped a chain so far. When I had SRAM eTap it happened all the time.

[@JK-dv3qe]

4:14 "I know this...... because i Googled it" made me looooll 😂🤣👍

[@RobMacKendrick]

This reminds me of the hybrid hub/derailleur systems people used to homebrew in the 80s. (That is, a drive train combining a Sturmey-Archer shifting hub with a 10-speed freewheel.) Fascinating proposition.

[@mk-yg7op]

@classified-cycling: Please update the USB port to USB-C when launching upcoming 12 speed cassettes. Thank you.

[@comradebangalore]

"Thanks" - The EU

[@AegenemmnoN]

This is something I do not need... and absolutely want

[@EleanorPeterson]

Buy me lunch. We need to talk. ;-)

[@neilstoddart00001]

Give it 6 months and AliExpress will have a Klassified hub!!

[@NirreFirre]

Yep, for 1/5th of the price, but one that breaks during or after the first season..

[@nmgn]

When the Suez Canal reopens! Lol

[@iamruss74]

@@nmgn rumor has it it's open now?

[@HulluJanne]

@@iamruss74 Yep www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-56559904, at least on its way.

[@gcntech]

😂

[@alicangul2603]

"Smart through-axle" these are the words I would have never expected to hear in my whole life. And I say this as an engineer designing IoT devices :)

[@alicangul2603]

That said, this is a great innovation!

[@lesflynn4455]

I don't even know what IoT is.

[@zenofthemoment]

I can't wait for smart fingernail clippers!

[@NoFretBrettCSSMBFF]

@@lesflynn4455 *IoT* is the *Internet of Things*

[@tomrow7214]

I was picking up my bike at my local bike shop a day ago. There were a few guys talking with the owner in the parking lot. When I had my bike on my rack, the owner called me over to try something. It was a Moot MTB with a single front chainring. I was told to use a small button on the handle bar next to the left hand break to shift while pedaling. Smooth as silk ... really cool. I made a mental note to look up Classified to learn more. The next day I was researching something else and by coincidence this was in the side bar. I'll bet this is a game changer going forward. As always, Simon Richardson did an excellent job reviewing this technology.

[@angusanderson9992]

Great idea, all it now needs is the ability of sequential shifting as per the SRAM AXS 2x setup and you don’t have to work out what gear you need next!

[@NLOsiris]

"And I know this, because I googled it." Love these remarks.

[@thomostash]

At over 2k it needs some pretty big economies of scale to bring the price down to an acceptable level. Or a kit to fit to other carbon wheels.

[@antonhelsgaun]

Given that some people pay 10-15k for a bike, it doesn't seem that unreasonable sadly

[@dariohug6669]

Imagine the looks of your mates when you climb an epic alpine climb in what seems to be a 50t chainring! :D

[@gcntech]

😂 worth the investment for that alone!

[@ryanotte6737]

"How? The cadence is high on that big ring? What sorcery is this?"

[@MAGAIVER]

@@ryanotte6737 just shrug and say you’ve been training more lately.

[@ME-hm7zm]

Sur la Plaque!

[@sb-re7hz]

I run a 50T 1x with an 11-40 in the back so I do this everyday haha

[@andypryke6750]

Reminds me of when my dad, built an 8 speed cassette onto a sturmey archer 3 speed hub, for his Tandem

[@2wheelsrbest327]

That sounds interesting Andy.

[@SAM-zt2uy]

I do a lot of miles on a steel frame Hercules Commuter with Sturmey Archer 3 speed hub gears it’s a pre war design and it just works.

[@ParaBellum2024]

As a youth in the 1970s, my dad bought me a huge 'wartime utility' bike, with just one gear. I think it was a Rudge. I rode it everywhere, and the lack of gears didn't bother me.

[@paulcs2607]

Exactly. Nothing new under the sun.

[@RobWhittlestone]

I had a maroon Hercules with Sturmey Archer for my school run 50 years ago!

[@VickersDoorter]

An experience further enhanced by wearing cycling tweeds, a teeth-clenched trusty briar under full steam and stopping for a decent pint.

[@ParaBellum2024]

@@VickersDoorter All before morning assembly in the Great Hall!

[@kedarkulkarni3030]

Really really need more videos like this

[@Schlafanzugmen]

Congratulations you've rediscovered the typical hub gear. Btw this concept is something that you can find on bike from the 80s but withput this bluetooth stuff.

[@Diesel249]

I was thinking the same... It certainly looks similar to the old Sturmey Archer hubs from the outside

[@bidipop1671]

@@Diesel249 I was thinking the same too, I own a bike that looks like a single speed but has a Sturmey-Archer hubs with two gears. The only thing is that you have to backpedal to switch gear witch can be unsafe sometimes.

[@simonebaffelli9666]

For example my early 90s cilo city bike comes with a Sachs Orbit two speed hub gear, on which a 6 speed freewheel is threaded. No front derailleur, good chainline and no dropped chains. Nothing is really new.

[@CandidZulu]

@@Diesel249 Sachs had a lot of success with their 3x7 and I think they made a 3x9 also. It was made for a long time.

[@30minuterides]

@@CandidZulu still using a 3x7 on my Moulton , very reliable with updated sram shifters and mech

[@49er701]

i'm ahead - already fitted my sturmey archer 3 speed hub. Got rid of two chain rings.

[@fofopads4450]

can you mount a regular 10 or 11 speed cassette on it?

[@chaincyclist2736]

I guess if there'd be a way to make a version that's controlled through cable tension, we'd probably be able to see more of these for casual riders.

[@pablomarquez4431]

I already removed my front derailleur and modified my chain ring to a single speed with a 48T and kept my rear 11spd 11-32. I love my set up. Been fine for 2 yrs like this.

[@andyamos8594]

One of the best ideas to appear of late! Bit pricey for many to be honest but lets hope it takes on! Brilliant!

[@mikep1361]

Well it includes a carbon wheel set... If those are any good (I'd hope they are) it's not that bad all things considered.

[@einundsiebenziger5488]

Old idea (remember Sachs/Sram Dual Drive?), just cobined with wireless operation.

[@steveedwards263]

This would be great on an MTB. Shorter cage rear mech and range of a 12 SPD. What about it Classified?

[@vdiffdave]

I was thinking the same. The ratio isn't restriced by the design, they could easily make a version with a 2:1 ratio for MTBers. An 11-32 cassette would be plenty on a big ring and we'd get some big gears back.

[@and2244rew]

I’d rather see pinion style gearboxes on mountain bikes, they just need to sort out the efficiency and shifting under load. I’d like to lose rear derailleurs all together, reduce unsprung weight, and eliminate derailleur damage. This could work for cross country though.

[@peglor]

@Rivfader Shimano 2x12 has over 600% gear range, which matches the range on Pinion 12 and 18 speed gearboxes. Damned shame the world's bike frame manufacturers have more or less stopped making any vaguely high end frames front derailleur compatible. Also Shimano's 12 speed rear derailleur shifting feels like absolute crap compared to first generation clutch derailleur 10 speed.

[@yonseimatt]

@@and2244rew Would be amazing on full sus bikes (I guess that's what you're talking about)- lower unsprung mass, and all that, but I reckon the Pinion gearbox (or the Shimano one, if they ever get round to manufacturing it) would be amazing on hardtails too.

[@FactionalSky]

I think it would be no problem at all to make a 2:1 version for a short 12 SPD. Let's just keep asking them. :D

[@andylock3247]

I think to be a gamechanger it really has to be available at every price range and easy to fix/replace. Seems complicated and expensive, the beauty of the front deralier is its easy to swap or upgrade, easy to work on, easy to change chainring sizes for more options, don't need to do anything if I change wheelsets etc...

[@Oldmaite]

Paid product placement

[@whatwelearned]

But that's not how new technology works. You give something like this time and eventually the masses can afford it. Does it work and make sense, that's the question.

[@andylock3247]

@@whatwelearned agreed, however will it ever be cheaper and as usable as what we have now? I guess time will tell.

[@l.d.t.6327]

I can't see the logic it's easy to swap / work on a FD when you now have an alternative that doesn't even need maintenance / swapping / working on? You invent negatives that are simply erased with this solution: why would you need to change chainring sizes or swap wheelsets with a 0.7 front ratio and a 11-32 cassette and disc wheels that brake well in all weather circumstances? Expensive, yes, but within the (crazy) current market standards where each top end disc bike seems to cost close to 10 grant. Complicated? I don't know what is complicated about having no FD, and having close to no maintenance.

[@whatwelearned]

@@andylock3247 If it's currently 2k+ then it might be a while ha

[@soulboy78]

Just thought I'd add a comment after some time has passed since the making of this video. I've just bought a Ridley Fenix Slic with RF50 Classified wheelset and system. Front chainring is a 46 tooth and rear cassette 11 x 34. This suits this 60 year old weekend rider and can say so far am loving it. Expensive of course but aren't all new bike days. Each to their own on what they want but it's a positive recommendation from me.

[@grazza-cm8oj]

Looks very promising. My main concern (apart from overall price) would be the proprietary nature of the cassette.

[@royalmoline9197]

I heard ‘micro-usb’ and died a little inside.

[@KOME11]

Something this new should be using USB-C!

[@EleanorPeterson]

@@KOME11 - That's still way too techie for me! For adequate durability I wanna see 10mm² copper wires and two bl**dy great wingnuts. Nothing else will last more than a month. ;-)

[@Cr3ePiO]

@@KOME11 usb C has poor durability

[@lesflynn4455]

Why? It's never the USB micro receiving bit that dies. It's the plug. They cost as much as a can of coke.

[@rhidiandavies1991]

@@Cr3ePiO and a micro USB doesn't? Give me a break!

[@AndrewGrease]

It would be awesome if sram adapted this under AXS - you'd have 1 shifter and it could smart shift through the range

[@teundilles]

Given they already have something similar with the dual drive hub, this could be a possibility.

[@theRealDavidn]

Sram all the way

[@ChromeLuxx]

@@theRealDavidn Except for the poor quality when compared to the top two (Shimano & Campy) and operational issues.

[@jamsxr]

@@ChromeLuxx agreed

[@AndrewGrease]

@@ChromeLuxx I might be biased - ridding sram for 3 years now, 0 issues

[@b.c.y.d2443]

love the content but damn the motorbike sound is killin the vibe

[@lesflynn4455]

Don't cry, it's alright.

[@derekmcmaster8191]

Sounded like a skipping chain lol

[@tonytimmington6492]

@@derekmcmaster8191 They should use electric motorbikes

[@martinxoxo]

Gorgeous tech. Finally no more chainsuck and adjustment issues.

[@sneakyfox4651]

In the 1990s I had a friend who was touring a lot on a shoe-string budget. His bike was a steel frame with a Sachs gear system with a six-speed cassette and a cable-oprated rear hub Hi/Lo function. Very reliable, but it negated the quickrelease. However, after he chose to tour with a quite heavy home-built cart, I retrofitted the bike with two chain rings and a front derailleur, giving him 12 extra gears. He toured most of Poland at least once on that bike. As smart, efficient and durable this Classified hub gear appears to be, I'm so old-school that I find that a bicycle that cannot operate without electricity isn't a *genuine* bicycle. For me, it's a no-no to electric shifters and BT hubs. I want steel cables, even though they are slower and less precise. I don't mind the experimentation, though, because it has brought many benefits to cycling, even for me, like clipless pedals and ceramic rims (I know, my Open Pro Ceramics are laterally soft as melting ice cream, but they brake like nothing else in wet weather).

[@swifty0000007]

Modern development of an old idea... i like it👍

[@edmundscycles1]

1950's saw the advent of the browning automatic gear for the front chainring . That was awesome

[@Pozi_Drive]

@@edmundscycles1 Don't forget the schlumpf mountaindrive

[@oldcreaky]

Three speed Stutmey Archer system fitted to my 1980's Raleigh Grifter comes to mind.

[@markmitchenall5948]

As a Brompton 6 speed rider, that has hub gear and rear derailleur, just glad that big wheeled bikes have caught up! ;-) I love this though. Would 100% convert me to 1x on big wheeled bike. If it were only a little cheaper!

[@lesflynn4455]

Give it a few years and it'll probably be the go mate.

[@aerobrain2001]

This linked with syncro shift would be awesome!

[@PatrikStutz]

Yeah! At best it could be connected to the Di2 bus and also draw power from there.

[@kennymacm3031]

Best all rounder I had was a Genesis ioid with a sealed hub. I reckon it's time to revisit that genre of transmission

[@OwenWilkins]

Ah, so you're the other person who bought an iOiD. Great system for muddy/dusty conditions, literally no maintenance and the big steps between ratios don't seem to matter. As long as you don't want weight-saving, and presumably most watching this channel are super-focused on lightness, hub gears are the answer to quite a lot of problems.

[@marcng2655]

Funny you should mention Andre Greipel. We were at Rouleur Live yesterday and your erstwhile colleague Matt Stephens interviewed Tom Boonen about Classified but also Greipel who is also an investor/ambassador! Best explanation of the system I've seen so far. 👍👍👍

[@Ricobass0]

Will definitely catch on. However, at that price I won't be replacing my 3 (S-A) x 8 hybrid setup just yet... LOL

[@Swarfega79]

Modern technology but still using Micro USB...

[@metallusmelandril7380]

LOL yes!

[@idiachuk]

Yep, lets spec all the new stuff with less popular interfaces.

[@Ed.R]

Why change stuff that works and it will probably only get used half a dozen times before the bike is upgraded anyway.

[@otm646]

@@idiachuk USB C has been the de facto standard for years now. I don't even know the last time I saw a micro USB cable around the house.

[@dlevi67]

@@otm646 USB-C spec was released in August of 2014 (IEC standard in 2016), so it's at most 6 years old (and much closer to 3 in reality). Plenty of older hardware still around - not everybody changes everything they own every other year. This said, yes, they definitely should have built in a USB-C port: it's more robust as well as being more recent.

[@nathanhobson1142]

GCN should invest in a emotorbike for on the go filming. No engine noise droning in the recordings and no petrol fumes for the presenters and more eco friendly. Win win win.

[@PunchDrummer]

When I was in my teens (40+ years ago) I had a Schwinn with a 3-speed rear hub. All you had to do to change gears was step back slightly on the pedals. Not enough to engage the hub brake, but just a little. I thought it was so very, very cool mechanically. No electricity, no Bluetooth, etc. It was available in the '60's and it was awesome! Here it is again (kind-of), probably a whole lot more complicated. I really liked this shifting method over the alternative of a three-speed shifter on the handlebars. Anyone remember? :) Now I have a Trek Pedelec (Bosch mid-motor), and I'm in the same bicycle heaven again.

[@dreimer2112]

This seems to have a lot going for it. It's something that may very well appear on my dream Ti bike build in 2023, after the early adopters have paid for the R&D! I love the aesthetics of a 1x setup, and this is even better because it doesn't require a pie-plate cassette. Saying that, the cost of the cassettes could be a concern for me. Hopefully if this catches on the cost won't be too prohibitive.

[@R500JPH]

Genius! What a brilliant system. Can’t see any downside other than the cost and the proprietary cassette requirements. I’m sure this will change over time though as it’s adopted by more bike manufacturers Another great video as always GCN 👍

[@otm646]

Planetaries have been around for a very long time, the reason they haven't been used in modern cycling applications is because the mechanical drag is substantially higher. I guarantee you this system comes at a weight and efficiency detriment.

[@hogdog567]

@@otm646 difference is that this is a two speed planetary gear system which massively reduces the negative aspects you mentioned.

[@dlevi67]

@@otm646 Which is not what they (Classified) say. Obviously. Not that any of this is hard to measure in a decent lab...

[@rcg9573]

Yeah, and about a 10% loss in efficiency versus a conventional 2X set up. Brilliant. LOL

[@rcg9573]

@@hogdog567 Wrong. This system will likely run at about 10% less efficiency that a classic 2X set up just due to the internalized hub gears. Add in more inefficiency due to the extreme chain angles the chain is at whenever it is near the lower or upper gears of the rear cassette in this 1X set up and you are talking about a large loss of power. There is a reason why no pros or serious amateurs ride internalized gear rear hubs.

[@DanuelNuel]

I wonder about maintenance - how complicated it will be and how pricey.

[@guicho271828]

I expect the inner mechanism to be fully sealed, thus basically no maintainance needed.

[@d.b.cooper170]

As a mechanic in a shop it looks a little less complicated than a igs hub. Id probably charge $50 CAD for the service. But that of course is without actually seeing it and servicing it

[@peglor]

@@guicho271828 Until a selection of non-race skeletons have given it hell in wet nasty conditions for a year or two without it dying on them, I'd have very little confidence in this being maintenance free. I'd like to see how the shifting under power works, as this is likely to be where it'll chew itself up over time assuming the motor and batteries are well enough specced and sealed.

[@shredfreak83]

@@peglor that's a lot of assumptions lol

[@andrewnorris5415]

@@shredfreak83 he's the one not making any assumptions it will all work fine. When there are so many things that can go wrong. Esp. in UK conditions

[@KaijuAlert]

I took about 60 seconds to reach the "shut up and take my money" stage 😂

[@einundsiebenziger5488]

Save your money and buy a used Sachs Orbit or Sram-Sachs Dual-Drive hub. This idea is over 30 years old and was in production until the mid 2000s when the latest iteration with 3x9 gears was taken off the market.

[@andrewnorris5415]

"If you ask the price you cannot afford it, sir".

[@SebBrosig]

I had one of those, maybe 1982 I got a bike equipped with "Sachs Commander/Orbit" group. No wireless shifting and only 6 speed cassette bit still, same idea. Was my pride and joy and still is. I ride the same bike to this day every day, obviously replaced parts over time including the frame, by now there is not a washer left from when I was 15. Still the same bike though, never bought a new one since. Oh and when the frame broke the first time it was time to get a proper front derailleur.

[@jaytmtb]

I love everything about this, and the price will go down eventually so mere mortals can get to enjoy this As always great video

[@pmiller7886]

Si and Lloydy have the most refined voice deliveries on GCN. There is a reason I like to listen to English spoken by those from England... it just sounds as it was intended to sound. Cheers Si!

[@philipcooper8297]

Ollie needs this! And an e-motor in the hub wouldn't hurt his performance either.

[@jasonoftheworld6996]

SI BACK AT THE TECH CHANNEL

[@ronaldneely7564]

Back in 1976 when I worked in a bike shop I used a Sturmey Archer 3 speed hub that had the threaded cog mount and put a 5 speed freewheel on it and used a triple crank, 45 speed. Climb a wall in first and go a 100 feet on one crank revolution in 45th.

[@alanbengtson2774]

I would love this hub for my cyclocross/gravel bike! 22 gears on a one-by set-up, awesome!

[@vincenttichenor8373]

For people who don’t want 1x, this would also open up great opportunities to retrofit 1x specific frames such as the 3T Strada (I know the Due exists) or the Allied Able.

[@AlPerkins-SK]

I am riding 3T Strada 1x and 50T 11-36 setup is not versatile enough. This is definitely a wonderful solution in this regard!

[@slippycam]

Yeah this feels perfect for the Able

[@-paulmp]

That set up costs more than my entire bike.. *sigh*

[@tomahoks]

Yes, twice as much.

[@dunigan3320]

It said it comes whit carbon wheels, some carbon wheel alone cost that.

[@-paulmp]

@@dunigan3320 then some carbon wheels cost more than my entire bike.

[@dunigan3320]

@@-paulmp yes

[@markpalmer3071]

The usual comment for all new bike tech.

[@jascollinscork]

Ooooh Si in a video!!! And getting his hands on some cool Tech!!! Wonder what the bike is under that paint job.... !!! Looks and sounds class I’d buy it!!

[@pavlokhryshcheniuk7765]

rildey noah

[@christopherbudden1652]

I think he said it’s a Ridley kanzo fast

[@jayteeXD96]

Think Si said it was a Ridley again

[@christoph1246]

I’ve got absolutely no idea how it works but looks cool!

[@fivish]

50 years ago I fitted a 3 speed derailleur to a 3 speed Sturmey Archer. It was a kit available at most cycle shops. My Elswick Tahiti is long gone :(

[@magnusmandel]

Combine it with a front derailleur for a 4x setup.

[@miranassy2759]

Genius

[@DrunkieCat]

Isn't better to just add another gear on the hub? Kinda complicate things more isn't it. So essentially it's a 3x or even a 4x if it's possible.

[@user-ko5kk9ud8k]

@@DrunkieCat i guess if you play around with the ratios right you can get an extremely wide range of gears

[@DrunkieCat]

@@user-ko5kk9ud8k Exactly, that's what I was thinking. You don't need a wide range casette or even a 13 speed. Get an 8 speed and you can easily achieve the same thing or probably better. With syncroshift you can easily make it a thing, let the tech do the calculation.

[@Stoney3K]

Using 3 shifters?

[@TrailFeatures]

This could be pretty useful in the MTB world also! Be able to ditch ultra long RD cages and massive 12spd 52 cassettes.

[@philmcgillivray1142]

They did this in MTB about 12-13 years ago. It was from Truvativ and called the Hammerschmidt. I had one fitted to a Canyon. Eaxctly the same concept but in place of the front derailleur instead of a rear hub.

[@Realciderreviews]

Put it on disc wheel for a cool TT setup

[@violagran]

I remember seeing exactly the same product from SRAM almost 10 years ago. A two or three speed internally geared rear hub with cassette body. It looks to make sense from a maintenance standpoint and parts wear. Not sure why it didn't take off the first time. Obviously without the unnecessary technology the first time.

[@PaulJWells]

I had one one of these (fitted to a recumbent; where eliminating a front derailleur made the chain run far more manageable) In practical terms on a touring-utility type bike it worked excellently, on a race bike though the efficiency of the basic SRAM (actually a Sachs after they were taken over IIRC) three-speed hub was too low.

[@orvilleclisby6748]

I have a cycle with that old system however you couldn't change gear under load. That makes it a game changer.

[@tjlazr]

My old dahon speed pro has a hub shifter, made in 2009. It’s a very handy bit of kit

[@davidjones4242]

Brilliant! When will the MTB version be available?

[@paulgallagher2937]

I'm surprised its not been done before. It's actually nothing new, Brompton been doing it for decades. Just needed to adapt to a road hub

[@nstrug]

It's been done plenty before. It used to be common with tourers - use a triple chainring and combine with a Sturmey -Archer 3 speed hub.

[@jameslee-pevenhull5087]

Sounds like a Sturmey T series with a sprocket cluster attached.

[@Pozi_Drive]

Look up "SRAM Spectro 3x7" from the early 90's. Batavus used it in some bikes.

[@markomacek920]

CS-RK3 ? Too bad it has an overdrive gear instead of 2 reduction gears. (0.7 and 0.5 for example)

[@westelaudio943]

@@Pozi_Drive Sachs, where SRAM got their IGH designs from, made a 2×6 IGH/derailleur combo called 'Orbit' in the early 1980s. This is nothing new under the sun, just fancied up with IOT crap. As someone who works a lot on old gear hubs, this made me chuckle a lot... Planetary gear train as 'revolutionary' in a bike, where they've been used since the 1890s...

[@einundsiebenziger5488]

@@Pozi_Drive First there was Sachs Orbit, then after Sram bought Sachs it was Spectro, and then Dual Drive.

[@Pozi_Drive]

@@einundsiebenziger5488 Just add a Schlumpf Mountaindrive to an existing 1X drive and you're cheaper off with the same functionality. Switch by a quick heel flick. No electronics. No battery.

[@ttnyny]

In terms of cycling, I came of age in the late 1970s and early 1980s and, while I am not entirely stuck in that era, it continues to influence me. I am no longer a sport rider, so a light touring setup with reasonably close gearing in the mid range and one or two very low gears works best for me. I don't need a very tall top gear. Frank Berto was a big influence when I was a novice, and I have had a hard time finding anything that works better for me than half-step with a granny. (Does anyone out there even know what this means?) I do have some experience with internal gear hubs, and was even a subscriber to the Epicycling newsletter during its brief existence in the 1980s. Perhaps the most stable, comfortable and versatile bike I ever owned was a modified Raleigh tourist (circa 1960s frame) with an AW hub and a 3-spd. Cyclo gear adapter for a total of 9 gears. (Again, does anyone out there even know what this means?). More recently, I have used a Shimano Alfine 8 and Patterson 2-spd. crankset, but only for commuting: both of these are quite heavy, and I would not want to take them on longer jaunts. Based on the review, it does seem like the Classified system could finally bring planetary gearing back to sport cyclists after a 60+ year absence. (Yes, Sturmey Archer hubs were once used by club riders.)

[@rollamichael]

Recently rode an enve melee with classified/sram and, have to say, the hub shifting was really cool and what a psych to see a 1x that rides like a 2x!

[@Roq-stone]

Sounds fantastic. I know someone put in some hardwork to bring this to realization. But I don’t like electronics on bicycles though (Or, too much electronics).

[@havenht]

making it affordable and all mechanical is the way to go.

[@nadsv93]

They used to laugh at out internal speed hubs, but look at them now

[@Monti-Nakjem]

I live in Argentina and I'd love to be able to share this video with friends but they don't speak english. Is there any possibility your mates at GCN Español might get around to subtitling it? That would be fantastic.

[@2wheelsbest]

I'll summarise in Spanish for them... "Demasiado dinero para una vieja idea"

[@jongorman66]

If you click on settings on the video, you can add auto translate into multiple languages, not always 100% accurate but not bad.

[@Monti-Nakjem]

​@@jongorman66 Thanks, that's actually helpful, en vez de decir algo que se pretende que es piola o ingenioso pero de verdad es poco útil (not directed at you). It's a bit complex to have to explain to friends but they should have that turned on anyway. It'll help them for the future.

[@kevbone4809]

This looks awesome. Would make a nice addition to XC mountain bikes as well. The ratios are way to big on the current 1x setups for the type of riding that I do.

[@htmonaro1969]

I have dipped my toes back into cycling after 25 years away and a 7.5 year stint as a distance runner. I have no plans to start racing again, I am 62 after all, but I did buy a Merida Speeder 400 flat bar road bike, rather than a cheap entry level bike, mainly because of the Shimano 105 group set and 2 chain rings, rather than 3. Eliminating the 2 chain rings without sacrificing the gear range would definitely be worth considering. While the 11 speed cluster (sorry "cassette", I'm old so leave me alone) is still the best solution at present, the front derailleur is definitely worth reconsidering, purely on aesthetics and efficiency.

[@MellowYellowCJ7]

A belt drive "single speed" would be pretty cool!

[@erroneousbee]

I'm thinking put this in an electric, with another planetary gear in the BB, add wireless charging via magnets, and you can lose all the cables and run everything off the battery.

[@Henrrrrrrrrrryyyyyyyyyyyyyy]

at this rate I expect to see CVT gearbox for bicycle in 10 years...lol

[@Braindead154]

Subaru bicycles?

[@raceplee]

Does already exist, the NuVinci

[@owenjarvis9368]

Or even better... DSG

[@maximilianbeese]

@@owenjarvis9368 with the DSG fart too hahahahaha

[@Henrrrrrrrrrryyyyyyyyyyyyyy]

@@owenjarvis9368 already exist coz “front + rear derailleurs” = “dual clutch”? 😂

[@Fenris1on1]

Oldschool technic in new packeging!

[@jswanson859]

I really like this set up and hope to see manufacturers going in this direction. Simplicity.

[@stankell3629]

10 to 15 years ago Schlumpf and Hammerschmidt were selling 2 speed internally geared cranks to accomplish this without the need to change your entire system for near on $2500. Patterson Metropolis also is a similar product for a lower target market. Not sure if the first two are still available.

[@charlieinsingapore]

OMG! It's only taken 100 years. Always wondered when someone would mount a cassette on top of a Sturmey Archer hub.

[@paulfloyd9258]

My 6 speed brompton has that!

[@galenanderson6006]

My Bike Friday New World Tourist (2000 version) has a 3 speed hub with an 8 speed cassette. 24 gears.

[@another3997]

Dual drive systems have been around for a while now, and very useful they are too. This one is just a fancy, expensive solution looking for a problem. It will sell in droves to gullible technocyclists with more money than sense. 😁

[@charlieinsingapore]

@@another3997 You mean MAMILs?

[@iamclaus]

The Sturmey-Archer CS-RF3 and CS-RK3 have been available for quite some time. They pair a 8/9 speed cassette freehub to a 3-speed internal hub. SRAM had their equivalent dual-drive hub, too. Granted, it's a hefty 1kg hub, with the usual limitation of not being able to shift the internal hub under load.

[@m89hu]

Classified powershift hub vs Rohloff vs Pinion weight comparison is what I'd like to see

[@C345OFR]

I'm calling it now - lightest to heaviest: Classified powershift hub > Rohloff > Pinion.

[@onebackzach]

I can't wait until I can use "I forgot to charge my axle" as an excuse on group rides.

[@Pozi_Drive]

With massive amounts of rotation around the whole thing, how difficult is it to mount a small magnet and a coil to recharge the capacitor? Belgians are to the world, what the irish are to the english. Overdesigned and under-engineered.

[@AnthonyLock92]

So I'm a time trialist. I have a 60 tooth single ring. It's perfect for a flat course. However if this could be incorporated into a disc wheel. Then I think it could be a big leap forward in aero tech. So something like the TdF TT last summer if you stayed on the TT bike then you had to have 2x and it's less aero than 1x, but with this system you could have the benefits of both!

[@davehause8571]

Wow. Brilliant! The future is now. I'm totally sold on this.

[@mdtrx]

Cameraguy needs an electric scooter

[@Ed.R]

I know this exact comment is on every video filmed this way since GCNs beginning and they still haven't got one.

[@mdtrx]

@@Ed.R :D

[@EleanorPeterson]

An EV? Hmm... Maybe if such fun leccy rich-boy toys didn't cost an arm and a leg and a kidney and two retinas... (Whoops! Sorry! I'm a poor person - I shouldn't be watching stuff like this!)

[@Ed.R]

@@EleanorPeterson Its only that way because manufacturers have the production lines to produce ICE components and want to keep it that way. EVs have far fewer parts and require much less servicing and so will become by far the cheapest option in the future. Also the obvious fact they are so much cheaper to run.

[@Workaholic42]

@@EleanorPeterson an electric Vespa costs around 3000 Euros, probably less than the bike under test

[@malcolmgraham9462]

Interesting to consider the price of equivalent carbon wheelset and lightweight cassette, as these are an intrinsic part of the €2k price. Looks technically sound.

[@davidlewis3924]

And think of all that money you save by not having to buy a front derailleur.

[@levbobrov1398]

I am pretty sure that if this idea catches on there will be plenty of competition and the price will go down

[@TheBoyNinja]

After you're done charging nine different components on you bike before you leave the house, it might be time to buy a motorcycle.

[@robincooney1263]

For the cost of this fitted to an average carbon bike, you could buy a half decent motorbike.

[@cuebj]

It does have a motor - ok, it's not for power but it may take off big time in bikes, especially if they have a 5-speed+ version so no derailleur at all

[@C0deH0wler]

This is professional/amateur/casual sport cycling. If you want to to get into sport motorcycling, go ahead. Tho you need to pay to get into a race track, get the proper training, and spend a shit tonne on the bike and parts. Different activities.

[@nikveldkamp8630]

Sounds exciting! ( though the price is still quite a hurdle. That's why probably many cyclists like me stick to aluminium rims and mechanical shifting...) The main advantages i see are on rough terrain, gravel and cobbles (both kasseien & esp. on hellingen) gravel. No chain drops due to late late shifts. No front derailleur that can get misaligned or bent by crashes. Better access to the lower frame triagle for storage of bags, bottles, spares. I hope the satellite shifter takes average batteries? Then for ultimate assurance on long trips away from chargings plugs, the wireless system means no cables that could get loose or ripped and you still can have quasi mechanical gearing. Though for bikepacking the 34-34 gearing is still tough, to be safe on steep climbs plus travellig kit, food and water, I'd miss the equivalent of a 30T or 34T in the front plus a 42 or 46 cog on the cassette. Hope the the wide range cassttes will follow, then it'd seem perfect. Swapping only to a 11-27 or 11-30 cassettes for allround performace and narrow steps.