For the drive unit, they combine lightweight construction, i.e. a carbon frame, with the Pinion gearbox, which has nothing whatsoever to do with lightness. The partnership is an obvious choice, as the gearbox also comes from the Stuttgart area. The developers marry the gearbox with the frame in an extraordinarily elegant way. The black carbon fibre bike accelerates with astonishing ease. And the vehicle is surprisingly light, considering that the 12-speed gearbox weighs 3.1 kilos. The three-kilo wheels with fast semi-slick tyres make up for this, and the frame weighs just 1545 grams despite the Pinion adapter. The slack seat angle and high front qualify the bike more for long distances than for the CC World Cup. This is also reflected in the gearing, which is reluctant to change gears under load. The test bike does not like hectic ups and downs with constant speed changes. With the minimally profiled tyres, it lacks the reserves for tightrope walking at the edge of the limits anyway. But with Quantor, the equipment can be varied to suit your taste. Shifting gears requires a firm grip and a certain amount of familiarisation, but muddy conditions bounce off the bike. The function remains constant in all weather conditions.
Test summary of the Quantor Pinion drive unit
With a carbon frame as the basis, Quantor puts a lightweight geared bike on its wheels. In the setup tested, the bike is ideal for frequent riders looking for a sophisticated touring companion. The concept does not like hustle and bustle.
PLUS Low overall weight, rapid acceleration, wide gear range, rigid frame
MINUS High price, low-profile tyres, no shifting possible under load
Pinion gearbox: What's inside
A fixed idea of two young engineers has become an international business. In addition to the original Pinion P1.18 with 18 gears, the Denkendorf-based company offers variants with nine and twelve gears. The compact housing contains a spur gear with two sequentially shifted sub-gears. The advantages for bikers include reliable operation even in mud or snow, the system is virtually maintenance-free (five-year guarantee) and increases ground clearance. The disadvantage is that you can't shift under load, and the gearbox weighs considerably more than a derailleur system. Retrofitting is impossible, the gearbox requires a specially designed frame.
Of the three variants, the P1.12 is best suited for use on touring bikes, the nine-speed version is aimed at enduro bikes and the 18-speed version at globetrotters. Pinion now also offers special cranks for mounting the gearbox on fat bikes. Hardtails with Pinion start at around 3000 euros and usually weigh twelve kilos or more. The tested Quantor drive unit with carbon frame is therefore one of the lightest of its kind. The selection of compatible bikes is now considerable. More than a dozen companies offer hardtails, while there are only about half a dozen fullys.
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