Pinion

Pinion represents perhaps the most radical rethinking of bicycle drivetrains in recent history—a gearbox that lives at the bottom bracket, engineered by former Porsche transmission specialists. Founded in 2008 in Denkendorf, Germany, Pinion set out to solve the fundamental weaknesses of traditional bicycle gearing: exposure to weather, dirt, and wear. Their solution was to seal the entire transmission inside an automotive-grade housing, shifting gears through a precision mechanism borrowed from motorsport. This approach created an entirely new category of bicycle components and changed what’s possible for expedition touring and all-weather commuting. For belt drive systems, Pinion gearboxes are the ultimate complement—together they create a drivetrain with literally nothing exposed to the elements. Every Pinion is designed from day one for belt compatibility.

🔧 Products & Technology

MGU Motor-Gearbox Unit — The revolutionary integrated motor and gearbox that eliminates the mid-mount motor entirely. Combining Pinion’s proven gearbox technology with electric assistance in a single unit, the MGU offers 9 or 12 speeds with seamless e-bike integration. This represents the future of e-bike drivetrains, with motor and transmission optimized as a complete system. Perfect torque delivery at every gear ratio.

P1.18 (18-speed) — The flagship gearbox with an enormous 636% gear range spread across 18 perfectly spaced ratios. Handles everything from steep alpine climbs to high-speed descents without any external derailleurs or exposed cables. The gold standard for expedition touring bikes with belt drives, offering reliability that derailleur systems simply cannot match.

P1.12 (12-speed) — The versatile performer offering 600% range in 12 gears. Slightly more affordable than the P1.18 while providing more than enough range for most applications. Popular choice for commuter and light touring builds where belt drive simplicity is paramount.

C1.6 / C1.9 / C1.12 (Compact Line) — The lighter-weight options with 295%, 364%, and 568% ranges respectively. Designed for frames where weight and space constraints matter. The C1.12 is particularly popular for urban bikes, offering excellent range in a compact package optimized for belt drives.

🌍 Markets

Pinion operates from Germany with a growing global presence, particularly strong in European markets where premium touring and utility cycling are most developed. Their gearboxes appear in bikes from manufacturers like Tout Terrain, Idworx, Nicolai, Santos, and many others. North American and Australian markets are growing as frame manufacturers embrace gearbox technology for expedition touring and bikepacking. Pinion’s dealer network spans cycling shops that specialize in long-distance and all-weather riding, ensuring customers receive proper expertise when purchasing and servicing their gearbox bikes.

💡 Belt Drive Philosophy

Belt drives and Pinion gearboxes are inseparable partners in the quest for the ultimate low-maintenance drivetrain. Every Pinion gearbox is designed with Gates CDX belt compatibility as a fundamental specification, not an afterthought. The gearbox’s sealed design perfectly complements the belt’s clean operation—together they create a drivetrain with zero exposed moving parts that need lubrication or protection. This combination is especially valued by world touring cyclists who ride through deserts, rainforests, and everything in between without access to bike shops. The Pinion + belt setup has circled the globe countless times, proving that bicycle drivetrains can be as reliable as car transmissions.

📋 Company Profile

🔗 Official Website

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🚲 In Our Catalog

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