Pinion MGU on test: Carefree gearbox for cycle travellers?

BIKE conclusion on the Pinion MGU for touring cyclists

The MGU from Pinion is close to the perfect system. Compact, powerful and with a wide gear range. Thanks to the integrated gearbox and belt drive, it requires no maintenance for many thousands of kilometres. The high price of bikes with Pinion MGU is the biggest disadvantage.

Transmission specialist Pinion made a real splash at Eurobike 2023 with the MGU. There was hardly any talk about the power of e-bike motors back then. DJI and co. with 100 Newton metres and more had not been around for a long time. But annoying wear on the chain and cassette due to high e-bike power was already an issue back then.

Pinion's stroke of genius: The MGU - short for Motor-Gear-Unit - combines the mid-motor and a Pinion gearbox in one compact unit. This means that both components are perfectly harmonised. And maintenance is as with Pinion's classic gearboxes (tested here) hardly noticeable. The weight is really good for the twelve gears and the high range. A comparable system consisting of a Rohloff gearbox and a mid-motor, for example, would easily weigh a kilo more.

Pinion MGU E1.12: The facts

Price and weight are manufacturer's specifications and refer to the complete system consisting of motor and gearbox. For the smallest mountain gear, we use standardised parameters for tyre size and cadence and the smallest approved gear ratio (28 inches, 47 millimetres, 60 rpm).

Twelve gears, high bandwidth

The top-of-the-range MGU 1.12 version, which we tested here, offers twelve gears that are graded almost too broadly. Instead of the extremely thick speed gears, we would have preferred a finer gradation in the centre. However, the uphill gear is nice and light for touring use. No wonder: The MGU was also developed for mountain bikes and therefore also offers small climbing gears. Everything mountain bikers need to know can be found here.

Operation via the Pinion shifter is super crisp and the gears engage quickly. Disadvantages such as the delayed double shifting process between gears 4 and 5 and 8 and 9 when the MGU changes gears can be annoying on an MTB. For touring use, however, they are of little consequence. This also applies to the slightly increased noise in the small climbing gears. On the other hand, those who ride a lot on flat terrain will be pleased with the low noise in the speed gears, which is easily drowned out by the rolling of the tyres.

Automatic switching but high prices

Because the MGU shifts electronically, Pinion can also offer some features that are otherwise denied to classic gears. If desired, the MGU can also change gears automatically according to an easily adjustable cadence. When starting off, the MGU always shifts to a small starting gear if required, which can also be adjusted. Typical gearbox: shifting gears when stationary is no problem. Of course, you can also shift gears while rolling without having to move the pedals.

Nevertheless, there is one major disadvantage: prices for complete bikes with the Pinion MGU are high. You have to invest at least 6000 euros for a touring e-bike. E-MTBs with Pinion tend to cost north of €8,000. Even the slightly cheaper MGU 1.9 with nine instead of twelve gears does little to change this. And the ecosystem - displays, batteries, app - created with the partner FIT E-Bike can't quite keep up with the best. However, several updates since the launch have already significantly improved the functionality.

Pinion MGU at a glance

Strengths

• Maximum low maintenance
• High bandwidth
• Massive motor power and compact design

Weaknesses

• High prices for complete bikes
• Noises in small aisles

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