Pinion Smart.Shift Review: Imperfect Perfection

First, read this review (theradavist.co...) at The Radavist. This is a supplement to the in-depth review.
The Pinion Smart.Shift gearbox offers electronic shifting for instantaneous engagement, eliminating the soft or sluggish feeling found with the grip shift Pinion systems. Yet this system isn’t as perfect as it’s marketed, and John found one critical shortcoming during his review period…
Check out the full, in-depth review at The Radavist: theradavist.co...
Music: GUDSFORLADT "The Tower of the Moon"
gudsforladt.ba...

[@antonynoya3002]

Thank you for reviewing it honestly, because if we look at the people who review it, they always say it's perfect, they can shift under load gears, even though it's not, and there are still a lot of shortcomings... Why isn't Pinion honest about this? It's a shame.

[@johnprolly]

That's the thing. They ARE honest. The manual states it won't shift with 250 NM of load (the website has all this in the review) - it's the reviewers who are not honest. 😕

[@antonynoya3002]

@@johnprolly and they should say, it can't shift under load, from the customer point of few, who cares.. if they advertise it can shift under load.. and it should be able to. because this is really fundamental. In the world there is only 1 hub that can shift under load, that's Nuvinci/Enviolo but their range is only 380%. unlike Rohloff or Pinion which are above 500% and Nuvici and I have tried it directly, it is true and real, it really can shift under load, unlike the advertised SmartShift, is wow, in fact, it doesn't

[@theradavist666]

@@antonynoya3002 Yep

[@Jean-jk4zv]

If I am not mistaken Neal from bikepacking said the same thing, switching under load was inconsistent and needed some adjustment…

[@theradavist666]

@@Jean-jk4zv that was the cable shifting version with the grip shift, not the electronic smart.shift.

[@johnprolly]

Nothing like an endo down a rocky trail to wake you up first thing in the morning. haha.

[@berniekeene868]

Can a left side crank arm Stages Power Meter be used on a Pinion gearbox? Thank you

[@anywhereroam9698]

With the electronic shifting isn’t the electronics meant to after receiving the instruction wait until the pedals are at 6/12 o’clock and then do the shift, when there’s no load. I don’t understand how it can have a problem shifting under load based on how they describe how it is implemented. Especially at a low cadence. There should be lots of time for it to shift.

[@FIammen]

I am not sure I understood the circumstances that led to cancelled shifts. Do you guys think I will run in to much trouble with cancelled shifts? I have always riden with internal gear hubs. I am used to letting of a little on my pedals while shifting.

[@negakurai]

The old system you would have to momentarily reduce torque, like you mention, but also shifted better with the cranks at 6 and 12. Seems like more of the same.

[@theradavist666]

@@negakurai you can also adjust where the shifting points are since it's 6 and 12 perpendicular to the ground.

[@ejdavis72]

No electronics on bikes other than flashlight or to be noticed. Just not dependable.

[@mountaincruiser817]

“Pinion, not so smart system”.

[@slowwerthensnot]

Lots of unnecessary complexity

[@theradavist666]

For specific uses (long distance touring) it makes a lot of sense though.

[@DuBstep115]

unnecessary price, 1400 for base model. Shimano makes 11 speed rear hub for 150

[@seanhornchek6440]

@@theradavist666 touring or long travel bikes. Had a zerode katipo that blew every other enduro bike away in suspension performance (no chain slap, crazy light sprung mass)