Classified release MTB version of their internally geared hub

This looks like great tech, but for the type of mtbing I do, it brings nothing but cost and complexity. I can see it being popular for the more pedally, gravel side of things where cadence and optimum gear selection for cadence is more greatly valued.

Powershift boost hub brings the “front mech killer” system to the trails

Yeah, we already did that mate.

The instant fit and forget set-up: Wheel, hub and shifter with cassette is more money than the new T-series AXS from SRAM.

2700Euros

The complexity required to replace two metal plates, swinging on a parallelogram, operated by a small lever and cable boggles the mind!

If it took a single speed sprocket and cost significantly less than £500 then I'd buy two

Yeah, think they have missed a trick with execution here. 2700 to allow you to use a slightly smaller 12 speed cassette.

On the road, they were replacing the double chainset and it made more sense.

Doesn’t offer me anything useful over common or garden 1X but I like the look of that little wireless shifter if it would work with AXS.

Actually I’d consider this a backward step from 1X, I have become happily used to sequential shifting and do not wish to go back to ‘high and low range’ like a double chainring set up even if the shift is infinitely better.

with a small downhill block

The gubbins needs to fit inside where a lot of the cassette would normally be.. so there will be a minimum size the cogs can be... and more importantly need to be made to fit... you can't just throw on any cassette.

https://www.classified-cycling.cc/products/cassettes

although their ad copy suggesting larger chainring for efficiency gains

They have to mention that... as people will be worried about the smallest cog being 11t (they shouldn't be, but they will be).

If they could go to 6/7 cogs, use the space behind for the gubbins, and use a smaller lighter mech, giving 12/14 gears with no overlap, then....tbh I'm probably still out, as said above, I wouldn't want non-sequential gears.

Maybe if integrated with AXS to make the control sequential, use one shifter.

Having been stung by the Hope proprietary cassette, I'm not taking that risk again. At least with the Hope it just means a newfreehub.

I’m with @legometeorology would love a modern, lightweight 2-speed set up, with an along/down gear and a climbing gear for West Somerset hills

Having been stung by the Hope proprietary cassette, I’m not taking that risk again. At least with the Hope it just means a newfreehub.

Hahaha, yes, me too. Anyone want a hope specific freehub that only fits a cassette you can't buy anymore.

It does look clever and if it'd come out before big blocks and single rings then it might have made some noise but now, it just seems pretty niche. A very expensive way of replacing a dual ring, for the relatively few people who still have it and want to replace it.

The gubbins needs to fit inside where a lot of the cassette would normally be.. so there will be a minimum size the cogs can be… and more importantly need to be made to fit… you can’t just throw on any cassette.

ah, hadn’t realised that.

So you have to buy their 12 speed cassette and use your preferred brand of 12 speed mtb mech - which will be a big heavy long cage thing designed for 50+ tooth cassettes anyway.

My thought of this paired with a saint 10 speed and old road cassette seems to not be viable.

I'm struggling to understand the point of this in the same way that I struggled with the idea of the Hammerschmidt.

Hammerschmidt was awesome!

If it managed to bring back normal cassettes then it would be great. The extra weight in the hub would compensated for the much smaller sprockets and we could avoid monsterous dangly mechs.

I struggled with the idea of the Hammerschmidt.

To be more accurate I was intrigued by the idea of the Hammerschmidt, but was unconvinced by the execution - costly, more weight, slow pickup, the proprietary BB and chainring and my experiences of SRAM's BB bearings.

I am intrigued by the Classified concept, but at £1,550 for a hub it'll remain just that for now.

If it managed to bring back normal cassettes then it would be great. The extra weight in the hub would compensated for the much smaller sprockets and we could avoid monsterous dangly mechs.

the pinkbike review was running 11-40 (the reviewer was very positive about it btw).  Looking at comments below, different options of cassettes likely to arrive soon.

I was looking at this thing again today, and the road/gravel version seems like it may actually be taking off (to some degree).

I just can't see how the MTB version will, given they've come up with a 2-speed hub that costs more than a Rohloff or Pinion, while still requiring external gearing and a propriety cassette.

That said, I'm curious about the urban model they are releasing next. By the wording, it sounds like they intend that to be for a 2-speed set-up, so it could be perfect for a dingle-speed monstercross or XC bike. And it will surely be cheaper if they are aiming for city bikes.

https://www.classified-cycling.cc/products/urban

hmmm "One launch gear and one cruising gear,"

I wonder what the difference will be between the two ratios. Interesting that they chose "launch" and "cruise" rather than "hill" and "flat" which would be more appropriate for us lot.

Oh oh oh it does look like they are going to have a single-sprocket version, which means I may finally be able to build my dream 2-speed, belt drive, monstercross bike

I emailed them to ask and got what I thought was just a non-descript corporate bulls**t response, but I wonder if they were hinting that they will actually be releasing something (but couldn't give details for now)

More importantly, I found on page 10 of the manual a picture of a Gates belt drive sprocket (part 9.2):

EDIT: and this

"7.2 Powershift hub 142 9-spline interface:
The Powershift hub 142 9-spline interface contains the shifting mechanism and is operated electronically. This hub is designed specifically for hubs with 142 mm O.L.D. and a 12 mm thru axle. The hub does not contain a battery and gets its shifting power from the smart thru axle. The hub can be used with standard 9-spline belt sprockets or chainrings supplied by third parties"

Indeed it looks like both the 142mm and boost hubs will be able to take a standard shimano-splined single-speed sprocket eventually