Not for a bicycle touring application. I’d argue that the Pinion gearbox is best suited to enduro and downhill mountain biking though. 😉

I guess they think Pinion transmissions are not useful for enduro or downhill activities?

Thanks Alex! I appreciate the feedback. Perhaps the Hi-lite might be a better pinion option. I’m a sucker for pretty designs.

Essentially, it’s a really ‘sporty’ frame design. The steering is likely to be twitchy, the wheelbase is short and the chainstay length is exceptionally short (about 4-5cm shorter than ideal, which generally results in ‘heel strike’ with your panniers). The maximum tyre size also looks to be around 32mm.

While I have no doubt that you can tour this bike successfully on roads, with that kind of money you’re better off compromising less, and finding a more touring-specific bike. 🙂

I’ve been eyeing the Schindelhauer Wilhelm and it does come with an option for front and rear racks as well as mudguards. It seems like this might make it a viable touring bike? I’d be curious for your thoughts. Wonderful site btw!

A few answers:

http://www.pinkbike.com/news/1-question-whats-keeping-the-gearbox-down-2017.html

I still haven’t decided! I did go to Germany to have a test ride, but this was in Frankfurt where there are no hills to properly test the gears. Although the staff were very helpful, all the bike shop could offer was a ramp down into an underground car park and back up again! I did think that the Pinion box was a bit big and ugly (compared to a Rohloff). As to the belt, it looked very nice but costs more than three chains, and with a Rohloff there’s only one cog & chainring to change anyway. So no advantage on cost grounds, only for aesthetics and cleanliness.

I’m writing 9 months after your last reply about the Pinion. Did you got it? If so, how has it been? 700 euros extra are certainly not cheap, but since the Gates belt drive doesn’t wear the sprockets and it’s said to last about three chain changes, it could be evening out at the end. After all, when the common drivetrain wears out you would need to change the chain, cassette and front rings.

There is no way to get a crank-based gearbox without having a compatible frame. The cheapest way to get the Pinion gear system is to buy a complete new bike. You’ll find that framesets with a gearbox tend to be around the same cost as a complete bike; this is because the frame, fork, cranks and gearbox are the four most expensive components!