Are bicycle derailleurs drifting into history, replaced by gearbox drivetrains?
Even accounting for the latest wireless drivetrains and ever-lighter wheels and componentry, riders of every discipline grapple with one fundamental truth: Cycling drivetrain mechanics have largely remained unchanged for a long, long time.
Nearly any bike you see will come equipped with a standard drivetrain with a derailleur that moves a bicycle’s chain up and down its gears. Cyclists frequently bend these derailleurs in crashes or snag them on trail obstacles as they hang low on the outer edge of the frame, often with expensive consequences.
As some companies dive into the electronic shifting revolution, others look to turn the basics of bicycle components on its head with the gearbox.
Rather than relying on a rear-mounted derailleur, gearboxes are seated right in the middle of a frame, with shifting components nestled safely inside a case that keeps them safe from impact and the elements. Derailleurs can’t match this fully protected location.
Of course, there are also cons to gearboxes. First, they usually cost significantly more than their chain-driven brethren. And you pay a significant weight penalty with a gearbox in exchange for the reliability and durability they afford. But for some, those tradeoffs may be worth it.
A Few Bicycle Gearbox Suppliers Ditching the Derailleur
The folks over at Pinion, who make P-Line and C-Line gearboxes for high-end bikes, say gearboxes provide a safe enclosure for shifting components, higher gear ratios, and way less maintenance than a traditional drivetrain. Pinion says its gearboxes are good for 10,000 km before even needing an oil change.
Reeb Gearbox Bikes
Zerode Bikes
Viral Bikes
