Shimano Linkglide | Is This The Ultimate EMTB Drivetrain?

[@embn]

Have you ridden the Shimano Linkglide system yet? Let us know down below! 👇

[@gardenogauge]

Does DI2 work with the current EP8 motor?

[@simonrogerson2106]

So assume this will work and last even longer on a non EBike. Looks like a win if it does, any thoughts.

[@bekhele]

can you use this chain also on a non Ebike ?

[@misterAvdB]

got the set.. works fine.. atleast for now.. got a bbshd 52v

[@yvindandrehansen8461]

Can i mount linkglide kasette and chain to my Canyon on 9 ? i have shimano xt 12s kasette

[@xtreme3minutevideos887]

I just fitted linkglide to my 10 speed GT Everb, best money I ever spent. So much smoother shifting, absolutely like a different bike. As well as cassette had to change derailleur, shifter levers and chain.

[@waldowsxxghostxx8577]

What type of hub did you place the link glide on I don’t know what hub has normal spline that would be compatible with link glide

[@xtreme3minutevideos887]

@@waldowsxxghostxx8577 Sorry I don't really know the details, I had it done by my bike mechanic. All I know is it was a very easy swap

[@herbertmichaels2841]

My 23 stance e+2 has it! I cant wait till my new bike comes this week

[@mikeleaver6092]

I just fitted a Shimano 10 speed LinkGlide drive chain to my previously Shimano 9 speed setup on my Trek Dual Sport 2+. I had to replace the cassette, derailleur, shifter and chain. The difference is amazing. It runs very smoothly and quietly and shifts much more quietly, quicker and no jumping. Best upgrade I’ve done so far and very reasonable cost, considering the chain is quite inexpensive to replace going forward and the rest of the Drive chain should last longer, especially if I stay to shifting normally without straining the changes😊 highly recommended imho

[@gerryg1151]

Sadly, the Di2 & Auto-shift is only going to be available on the newer ep8 (EP-801 not the current EP-800) & ep6

[@ApfelSgt]

Yeah… that’s sad! But the EP 801 is really overall an extremely big upgrade over the ep 800! It has so much more power and is now comparable to the other motors like bosch CX and the RM 4.0! And with less input it’s even stronger than the Bosch CX! The EP 800 was not even near comparable with those! 😅 So if you have the money, i would definitely upgrade to a bike with the ep801! And then you could use the Di2 system! 🤗

[@razorree]

perfect idea to attach more anchors to your bike ....

[@OysteinFSaebo]

Got the SRAM EX1 drivetrain last year. OK, but still wears out fast. Maybe this is the solution. Great video!

[@Justin-ny6un]

There’s a new Linkglide cassette which doesn’t weigh as much as this anchor. Seems they’ve replaced the steel spider with aluminium. Making it about 200g less. Maybe not important on an e-bike but I’m planning to change XT 12 speed out for the Linkglide 11s

[@Tony_P]

I'd suggest an aluminium spider that carries as many sprockets as possible should have been the first design consideration for an E bike specific cassette. And hub manufacturers , give us a steel freehub body option while you're at it. Absolute no brainers that seem to be overloked for pretty obvious rea$ons.......

[@zyonbv17]

It’s not microspline compatible!

[@pc750-V4]

Hardly an anchor is it....

[@garybennett9868]

The linkglide system looks great and I'd think about changing across when my Trek Rail cassette is worn however there is no conversation about the required change from Microspline to HG. Can this be easily done?

[@SDmountainbiker]

Any updates on conversion options for microspline?

[@Tony_P]

@@SDmountainbiker I suspect you'd need to buy a HG freehub to suit your hub ? From my experience on Hope and Mavic hubs , it's really simple swap.

[@Adam-vm8kp]

If you have the newer bontrager hubs then you can just buy a hg freehub body. Easy to swap over.

[@TheJokerMachine1]

My microspline hub wouldn't accept HG. I bought a new wheel, but you could buy a hub and rebuild the rim if it's nice .

[@wanderdude3582]

It's still a myth here in USA also. Has never been in stock since it was released. Maybe someday it will be in stock and we can try it.

[@martinmorais7780]

Same thing in Canada! 🙋🏻‍♂️

[@bertissobad]

I got it in Australia

[@BillOweninOttawa]

@@martinmorais7780 My Rize bike shredded the cassette, I have a new one and it's happening again. Same here, they are unobtainable.

[@edgarsnezinu1439]

I have 12 speed SLX derailleur with clutch and deore cassette and never had any problems shifting is butter smooth even after a year of use 2300miles done ....No point to pay hundreds in cassette and shifters the more you pay the less they are durable..PS the more heavier rider the more issues on drivetrain and wheels

[@anthonyloayza136]

12 velocidades usa tecnologia Hiperglide+, una mejora del hiperglide, es mas ligero, pero linkglide es un salto en suavidad y por lo tanto en durabilidad, siendo mas pesado

[@joshualapurga3431]

For DIY ebike, I would go for IGH. However getting IGH kit is pretty difficult.

[@punkdigerati]

Easy enough to get, just $$$ if you want it to work well.

[@TheAETHER22]

It's impossible to find a frame with splits and horizontal dropouts. Not to mention being able to take the torque of a m620

[@ronlind1757]

Thank you for another great video! 👍

[@embn]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@drewchang7921]

great vid. cheers!

[@embn]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@KillaMTB]

I’m just about to got this to my non electrical dh bike in deore 10 speed as I do pedal it up hills aswel as down them I have broken a couple of chains and last cassette only lasted a year last time so i want it for durability

[@DM-hw4cr]

Use 12 spd all steel deore cassette with slx mech and chain for e bikes. Cheap, efficient and reliable.

[@GC16199]

I have 12speed Sram GX and tried GX and XO cassettes and chewed them up in 4000km. Going to try this Linkglide setup with 3 chains changing chains every 500km, will see if that works better

[@stevenschiff808]

Good information.

[@embn]

Glad it was helpful, Steven! Thanks for watching!

[@jasonborne5724]

So can I just run the Linkglide cassette, or does everything have to be replaced?

[@COOLBIKEyt]

You have to change the entire drivetrain, because the spacing between the sprockets is different, because they are thicker.

[@amdpcman]

Does anyone know if the LG derailleur is compatible on standard mount?

[@nickstevens3139]

Linkglide came out in 2021, when are we going to see it on a production bike?

[@richard7059]

I ordered a 2022 Merida E160 9000 that was to come out with this system but I ended up getting a 2021 model because it still hasn’t been released

[@oliveralldridge4385]

If find much cheaper Microshift Advent 10 speed is great for hard wearing and accurate shifting on my emtb wouldn't swap it for shimano

[@danielhann4439]

Most underrated comment, performs like xt at like 1/3rd of the price.

[@jugglematt100]

Cool , I've just ordered the same microshift advent x drive train for my focus thron , can I ask what front chain ring size you are running g ? Thanks

[@vasipro]

Does the chain lasts 3x times more or you need to replace every 1800 - 2000 kms? I bike 2000 kms per month.

[@vasipro]

On e-bike I mean.

[@cutter4e]

I just had my first ride with the system, and it felt great. I intentionally shifted under load with no problems. It was hard to buy, I ordered the components from different stores.

[@Paganiproductions84]

Would this work on a normal 11speed mtb ?

[@Adam-vm8kp]

Link glide 11sp isn’t compatible with other shimano 11sp (hyper glide)

[@tomquimby8669]

I upgraded from a 2x 10 and I think I prefer that shifting to the linkglide. Because the gear ratio of the wider spaced the linkglide seems to need extra 1/4 push assistance mid range but ok on the last big cogs, seems strange. Down shifting is of course sublime. On my bulls I needed to get a 5mm longer B screw fitted to get the correct B screw adjustment. Is this the future? no I do not think so I think Gearbox/motor combos seem to make more sense with belt drive. Thanks though for giving Linkglide a single video.

[@blurglide]

E-bikes have such a broad torque range that fewer gears is less important. Hell- my regular bike is a 1x10 microshift and works fine, although I occasionally want a couple of taller gears.

[@aleszverca]

U forgot to say u also need to change the freehub body to Shimano HG type.

[@TheJokerMachine1]

yep. had to buy a new wheel.

[@jonathanrheaume1542]

I have a trek rail. Does anyone else feel like there is no reason to have a gear bigger than 42 tooth on the cassette?

[@Pillokun]

if it is an e-mtb then it would be logical to not use a derailleur gear system and a gear box system would be more inline of what an e-bike is or rather offer a bicyclist as the efficiency is not as important anymore.

[@drewyager4020]

What about a belt drive??

[@aphtonyjim]

The sooner ebike's go to a motor gearbox combo the better.

[@BillOweninOttawa]

That happened.

[@vashon100]

Or will that become another non-serviceable item like the motor.

[@Raven34gtr]

I think what they should be doing by now is integrating a dynamo system to the motor to charge up the battery. That would be a game changer in the ebike world, you wouldn't have to have a huge battery capacity then, more eco friendly.

[@humzilla707]

That would create a ton of drag

[@ninetendopesaitama2107]

That would be stupid to do. Very unefficient. Better to get the power from the battery. Even getting energy by motor braking is hardly getting any energy back on a middrive.

[@jandjaja]

Even with the stromer bike that does have this tech in the back wheel motor, it doesnt do anything. Except when you would decent for a couple of km’s but still you get a lot of drag. The only thing its good for that you can brake on the motor instead of rotors.

[@nobody617]

I remember when i had my first beer

[@goonbreathfpv]

It already exists on some ebikes. It is not great though.

[@robertmorris9275]

I think I'll just stick with my Rohloff hub, far superior in every respect :)

[@vasipro]

IF you buy this, I strongly recommend using a steel freehub.

[@BT_life2]

Why?

[@vasipro]

@BT_life2 Because it is heavy groupset (heavy sprockets) . It eats thru aluminum.

[@alickomay7088]

any mid drive ebike will be best with the stronger steel version

[@bekhele]

can you use this chain also on a non Ebike ?

[@BillOweninOttawa]

It's not a chain, it's a drivetrain. And yes, you can. But you don't need it.

[@lutomson3496]

Belt drive and a rholoff

[@BT_life2]

I’ve always thought that! Never found one to ride and see how they feel.

[@nicolapellegrino1072]

Absolutely not necessary... a 12 speed transmission with "cheap" components such a full steel cassette is enough, I use a xt derailleur on a deore cassette, use a higher level derailleur such xtr is completely useless on ebikes, xt is enough, slx or less should be even better. Shifting under load is always not a safe thing to do... a "tougher" transmission won't change nothing in that case.

[@jezzat3778]

If it won’t change nothing then it should be a massive change

[@86309]

sweet!

[@embn]

Thanks!

[@barryholt3526]

Should probably time these promotional videos for when there's actual stock to buy. I watched this and thought "wow, that's the answer to all my woes", googled it to order. Nothing. Oh well.

[@blurglide]

Very disappointing that it's not compatible with existing hyperglide shifters and derailers.

[@Tony_P]

Why would $himano want to do such a thing ? 😂

[@islandaerial3414]

STILL just a myth here on the wet coast of Canazuela. Just about every component on eMTBs could be beefed up

[@SimonBauer7]

the ultimate drivetrain would be a hub gear. normal derailleur gearing is not the future for emtb.

[@freeforester1717]

Intra drive - integrated motor and gearbox, size of a Shimano motor - linked to front and rear cogs via Gates belt: simple at the drive and receiving end, and all weight in the centre of the bike. An elegant and strong future beckons!

[@Tony_P]

@@freeforester1717 Perfect !

[@1986Gazj]

If only anyone actually had linkglide in UK, is it a myth?

[@briangdd]

I've had the 10 speed version (UK all year rider) and for my usage I get about 1000 miles before I need to change a chain. Tried to get a bit further the first time (1500 miles) which took it to .75 on the park chain checker. At this point a new chain just slipped, so this time I've changed it at 0.5 wear and after a bit of initial jankiness, it's working as good as new. It does shift well and under a certain amount of load too. Certainly not the 3x life promised though. Prices in UK seem to be ridiculous though, got it from Germany and bought enough for at least a year's worth of riding up front. Tektro reckon to have an ebike ready set , but not seen it anywhere yet.

[@patrickrgrier3195]

not available in north america, grrrrrr.

[@Yourfriendwasmagnificent]

Auto shifting and abs brakes, mountainbiking is dumbing down I see.

[@MrDanjacs]

More for general use bikes I think.

[@patrickrgrier3195]

aahh, three years and non-existent. (vapour ware).

[@kodithebear]

No 12 speed 🤣

[@BillOweninOttawa]

Auto anything is a stupid idea on a bike, to many points of failure. Don't do it.

[@joegeiger4837]

much ado about nothing

[@martinbywater]

I can only think, how would you guys know when you rarely if everdo more than (I’m guessing) 200 miles? On a test bikeWhat a load of crap. You need a long term test to see if it’s an improvement before this sort of video should be posted. Have good times my simple friends. Fully agree about lube

[@Zetler]

This doesn't exists. Haven't seen it anywhere.

[@toxicmale1744]

E MTBs are extortionately priced when considering their battery life, reliability and compatability with other likewise systems. The market is swamped by competitors vying for attention yet, they refuse to prioritise cross compatibility and standardised componentry. The battery prices alone are a joke, let alone the full bike price, which is stratospheric. And all for bikes which find the slightest excuse to either run out of power way too soon or simply break. Then you have a heavy bike to pedal instead. Until the reliability and price issues are comprehensively solved most reasoned mtb riders will continue to avoid such folly.

[@wolfura]

Plenty of E-mtb riders over here mate. And we have none of those problems you described.

[@toxicmale1744]

@@wolfura , If you say so. My mates say differently. Three have sold theirs and refuse to go back. They all had 5k plus bikes. Nothing but problems.

[@neilrobertson1345]

Yes I agree both my new Rail 7s were total crap from first time I rode them basicly so changed to 2022 Reign frame crack plagued that model some say it just the filler in weld but no a lot the welds were crap its never ending with new Ebikes Dramas

[@Yourfriendwasmagnificent]

@@andythealien1 I ride a Dengfu E10, a chinese carbon fibre 150mm emtb frame with a chinese Bafang M600 motor (unrestricted). A great combo that gives me no issues and over 100km range.

[@BT_life2]

@@neilrobertson1345just means you’re stupid. Buying/accepting crap bikes. Go ride the thing before you buy it. You would’ve have anything to whinge about then