Pinion in Downhill:
Innovative System
for Champions
More Efficient, Lighter, More Durable: Why the Drivetrain Belongs at the Bottom Bracket
By moving the transmission to the centre of the bike and integrating it centrally and low, the unsprung mass at the rear wheel is reduced. This results in a lighter rear end, which can react quicker to changes in terrain and leads to increased traction and improved handling. Furthermore, the corresponding increase in sprung mass leads to increased stability on challenging trails.
The Future of Downhill Drivetrains
– Quiet & Low-Maintenance
Reece Wilson, DH World Champion, Founder & Team Manager of AON Racing
“Conventional drivetrains kept getting heavier over time. The main reason I started looking into the performance of belt drives and gearbox systems was the reduced axle weight!”
Lukas Haider, Team Manager MS-Racing
“With the Pinion Smart.Shift gearbox and the trigger shifter, we now have products at our disposal that offer advantages in kinematics, weight distribution, reliability, and riding dynamics.”
Gee Atherton – DH-Weltmeister, Hardline-Sieger, Atherton-Bikes-Teamchef.
“The ride feel is incredible! The first thing you notice is how low and centrally the weight sits in the bike. The rear end is noticeably lighter and much more responsive. And the sound – no rattling, just absolute silence!”
Joe Breeden – UCI-World-Cup-Sieger und Teammanager von Intense Factory Racing.
“Any brand striving for maximum performance will eventually switch to gearbox technology!”
0.2 seconds per shift – it doesn’t get any faster!
In downhill racing, every millisecond counts – and that’s exactly where Smart.Shift sets new standards. With gear changes in just 0.2 seconds, it’s the fastest and most precise shifting system on the market. No delays, no power loss – each shift happens instantly and seamlessly, whether you’re coasting, stationary, or riding.
Especially on technical descents or at high speed, that makes all the difference: no more second-guessing the right gear – Smart.Shift reacts faster than you can think.
Ci-Gearbox
Pinion Smart.Shift is an innovative electronic shifting system for Pinion gearboxes of the Ci-Series, which are based on the proven C-Line. Available with 12, 9, or 6 gears, it offers modern shifting performance for every riding style.
SMART.SHIFT-BOX
E-TRIGGER TE1
The ergonomic TE1 shifter was specially developed for electronic shifting with Pinion Smart.Shift technology.
The button layout can be individually configured.
Customize your riding experience
The Pinion Smart.Shift system features its own battery and a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) interface, allowing connection to the new Pinion Smart.Shift app. The app enables you to customize shifting behavior and button assignment – features like Start.Select and Pre.Select can be optionally activated and configured. Battery status, software updates, and a practical service tool are always clearly accessible.
Pinion Smart.Shift Battery Pack
More ride time,
less charge time.
Pinion Smart.Shift delivers over 20,000 shifts or up to 100 hours of ride time per charge – more than any other high-end electronic shifting system, thanks to its highly optimized gearbox and larger battery pack. The battery is usually integrated in or mounted on the downtube and can be conveniently charged via cable directly on the bike.
Pinion downhill teams
AON Racing is a professional mountain bike team founded by former world champion Reece Wilson. The team relies on innovative technologies like Gamux frames with Pinion gearboxes and Gates belt drives. Riders include Harriet Harnden, Monika Hrastnik, Henry Kerr, Heather Wilson, and Stan Nisbet.
MS Racing is a professional mountain bike team founded in 2004 by Markus Stöckl and Lukas Haider. After a long-standing partnership with Intense Cycles, the team parted ways in 2025 and switched to Zerode Bikes. With the new Zerode G3, MS Racing relies on an innovative drivetrain concept combining Pinion gearbox and GATES belt drive to push the boundaries of downhill racing. The team competes in the UCI Mountain Bike World Series and ranks among the top teams in the MTB World Cup.
Atherton Racing is a professional mountain bike team founded by siblings Dan, Gee, and Rachel Atherton. The team embraces innovative technologies and is committed to nurturing young talent in mountain biking. Based in the Dyfi region of Wales, Atherton Racing also runs the Dyfi Bike Park, renowned for its challenging trails.
Intense Factory Racing (IFR) is a professional mountain bike team competing in the Downhill and Enduro disciplines. Founded in the 1990s, the team has a long-standing tradition in MTB racing. For the 2024 season, the lineup includes Joe Breeden, Louise Ferguson, Oscar Griffiths, and Ryder Lawrence. IFR competes in the UCI Mountain Bike World Series and is known for its innovative spirit and close collaboration with the bike brand INTENSE.
