All articles tagged with #drivetrain
Mercedes-AMG will repair the drivetrain damage to the #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 after a driveshaft failure at the Nürburgring 24 Hours, effectively ending Max Verstappen’s chances of victory, but the team plans a lengthy repair and a late‑race return to entertain fans.
Microshift has launched Advent MX, its first 11-speed groupset (with a 10-speed option) featuring two derailleurs, two shifters, and a range of cassettes up to 50T; XD and HG options, plus compatibility with Shimano CUES/Linkglide for 11‑speed. Priced aggressively (roughly $195–$245 for complete groupsets), the lineup emphasizes durability and serviceability, with riders noting confident shifts and solid reliability in mixed conditions. It aims to offer a high-value alternative to SRAM/Shimano in budget builds.
A Singletracks reader poll finds that a slim majority of mountain bikers now have an electronic drivetrain on at least one bike (about 51%), up from 44% a year earlier; 34% still have no interest. The article notes changes since the 2021 survey and invites readers to share what’s changed since then.
SRAM's 2025 Force AXS and Force XPLR AXS groupsets bring top-tier shifting and braking performance to amateur riders, featuring design elements from the high-end RED groupset, with improvements in ergonomics, durability, and customization, especially for gravel riding, at a more accessible price point.
Shimano has reintroduced its XTR Di2 wireless electronic shifting group for mountain bikes, featuring a durable, impact-resistant derailleur with integrated battery, backward compatibility with existing 12-speed components, and new brake and wheel options, addressing market demands for more reliable and faster wireless shifting technology.
Shimano has released a new 1x8-speed drivetrain called Essa, compatible with their current 8-speed systems. With a 409% gear range, it offers a smaller range than 12-speed variants but could still be suitable for mountain biking. The drivetrain utilizes Hyperglide tooth profile and is priced at around $160 USD. Additionally, new shifters for the Cues family of drivetrains have been introduced, designed for smaller-handed riders. No news yet on 12-speed offerings or electric shifting.
The 2023 Pinkbike Awards for Innovation of the Year nominees include the Cane Creek Tigon coil shock with air spring, Shimano's LinkGlide drivetrains with improved durability, SRAM's Eagle Transmission electronic drivetrain with easy installation and robust performance, Pinion's Motor Gearbox Unit (MGU) offering a condensed version of electronic shifting and mid-drive motor, and Classified's Powershift system with an electronically controlled, two-stage internally geared hub for a wide gear range.
Zwift has introduced the Zwift Cog, a virtual shifting system that replaces the cassette on their Hub trainers with a single gear, providing 24 different speeds virtually. This allows for compatibility with multiple bikes without the need to change cassettes, offers a quieter experience, and eliminates the risk of dropped shifts or slow shifting. The virtual shifting is controlled using the Zwift Click or Zwift Play controllers, and the system automatically adjusts the gear ratio based on the bike's characteristics. The Zwift Hub One trainer with the Zwift Cog is available for $599, while existing Hub trainers can be upgraded with the Zwift Cog and Click kit for $79.99.
While there have been fewer discounts on mountain bike components this year, major upgrades to suspension, wheels, or drivetrain can significantly improve a bike's performance and are often a more cost-effective option than buying a new bike.
Driven Technologies, a spin-off of CeramicSpeed, has unveiled an all-in-one e-bike drive system called the Orbit Drive at Eurobike Frankfurt. The compact 4.6-kilo drive system includes all the relevant gears, electronics, and a power delivery system to power the rear wheel via a driveshaft. The system is claimed to bring the highest levels of efficiency, additional battery range, a more pleasant riding experience, and pretty much zero maintenance all in a bolt-on package for e-bike manufacturers. Three variants of the Orbit system will be available to customers when the system launches, but no pricing or release date has been announced yet.
Pinkbike takes a tour of SRAM's drivetrain development facility in Schweinfurt, Germany, where the company's latest Eagle drivetrain group was developed. The facility houses the SRAM Technical University, Technical Service, and a small warehouse that handles European warranty claims. The engineering department is off-limits to most people, as the team is typically working on projects that are two to three years ahead of the current state of the industry. The test lab at SRAM is responsible for coordinating field testing and collecting data on various products, and the team custom builds most of their own test rigs and develops the software accordingly.
Shimano has filed a patent application for an integrated rear derailleur that fits directly onto the rear dropout, removing the need for a derailleur hanger and held in place by the thru-axle. The design is similar to SRAM's T-Type Eagle Transmission, which combines a direct-mount rear derailleur with the Universal Derailleur Hanger standard. Shimano's patent includes an "angular position structure" for initial setup and suggests compatibility with different cassette sizes. This patent application suggests Shimano may add a true direct-mount option to its mountain bike range.
TRP has released its first full groupset, the EVO, which includes a new crankset and cassette. The groupset is available in 7-speed or 12-speed options and is designed for enduro, trail riding, and downhill racing. The shifter and derailleur have been updated for improved ergonomics and shift accuracy. The Hall Lock feature prevents derailleur movement in rough terrain. The groupset will cost $1,343 for its cheapest spec and is expected to launch in April.
Taiwanese brand TRP has released its new EVO12 and EVO7 complete drivetrains, which include two new derailleurs, two shifters, carbon and aluminum cranks, and two cassettes, all of which are intended to compete against the best mechanical options from Shimano and SRAM. The EVO12 derailleur features a Hall Lock to prevent floppy derailleur syndrome, while the matching shifters have a hidden switch to choose between single or multi-shift modes. The new cassette is a two-piece design, with the first ten cogs being machined from a single piece of forged steel and the two largest cogs in aluminum.
TRP is launching its new EVO7 and EVO12 mountain bike drivetrains in April, with the EVO12 aimed at the XO/XTR Trail level. The drivetrain features a complete group, including cranks, chainring, and cassette, and is designed to work with TRP's brakes. The EVO12 derailleur has a stiffer body, linear parallelogram actuation, and a Hall Lock to steady the derailleur body. The shifter has a more compact design and reduced small parts, while the cassette is a two-piece construction that comes in 1g lighter than XX1 and 2g lighter than XTR.