Thumb shifter for Pinion C-Line: Tout Terrain presents Shift:R Trigger for Pinion gearboxes
Sebastian Brust
· 14.05.2025
With the Shift:R Trigger, Tout Terrain presents a new shifting solution for Pinion C-Line transmissions. The new thumb shifter combines the familiar ergonomics of a Rapidfire shifter with the precision and durability of a Pinion transmission. The system was specially developed for use on trails, off-road and when bikepacking.
Why is Tout Terrain doing this? Well, Pinion itself mainly advertises electric shifting in addition to its own twist shifter. For e-bikes with the MGU motor-gear unit and the special C1.12i Smart.Shift gear set with its own electric shift box, shifting at the touch of a button or automatic gear changes are state of the art.
But this requires electrical energy, electrical switching components and a functional electronic control system. In other words, things that are often still viewed with suspicion on purist carefree bikes that are potentially indestructible or at least easy to repair and are supposed to be suitable for travelling the world. And on mountain bikes in particular, many people prefer mechanical thumb levers to twist shifters, which can now be retired.
Intuitive operation on the handlebars
At the heart of the Shift:R Trigger are two levers arranged one above the other, which can be conveniently operated with the thumb. With a press of the thumb, a gear is shifted harder to achieve more speed. Shifting one or two gears at a time is easier when going uphill. Tout Terrain has positioned the levers ergonomically for precise, efficient gear changes and control on a wide range of terrain.
Robust construction for tough applications
Tout Terrain uses metal in the construction of the Shift:R Trigger. The shift lever is made from a combination of AL 6061-T6 and AL 7075 aluminium. The latter is used for particularly stressed components to ensure a long service life. The handlebar clamp is designed for a diameter of 22.2 millimetres, which fits most common handlebars.
Other alternative shift levers for Pinion gearboxes
To be fair, it has to be said: The Shift:R Trigger from Tout Terrain is not the only alternative to the classic twist grip for Pinion gearboxes. In a small section of the company website, Pinion itself refers to the manufacturer Cinq, which offers its own shift box with a matching shift/brake lever for racing handlebars with a handlebar diameter of 22.2 millimetres in the form of the Shift:R Road. The latter was developed in cooperation with brake manufacturer TRP for gravel bikes and enables Pinion C-line gearboxes to be shifted directly from the brake lever. However, there are no thumb levers.
The iconic Danish cargo bike manufacturer Bullitt offers conversion kits for the Pinion P and C gearboxes, which, in addition to modified Shimano GRX brake levers, also allow thumb shifters. Prices start at 549 euros with thumb levers, while the Shimano grips are available for 200 or 250 euros extra.
The Swiss inventors at Hilite Bikes also offer a gearbox for Pinion P- and C-Line gearboxes in the form of the Hibox. Price: 300 Swiss francs (CHF), in a set with its own thumb levers 600 CHF, i.e. around 650 euros. Also possible: Sram GX triggers (+450 CHF) and combinations with numerous shift brake levers from Sram and Shimano.
Tout Terrain Shift:R Trigger: Prices and availability
Tout Terrain offers the Shift:R Trigger at a retail price of 389 euros. If ordered as an option in the bike configurator instead of the classic twist grip, the surcharge is 330 euros. Tout Terrain produces the Shift:R Trigger after ordering via its own web shop and specifies a delivery time of up to 90 days.
Technical specifications Tout Terrain Shift:R Trigger
- Compatibility: Pinion C-Line gearbox
- Areas of application: Trail, off-road, bikepacking
- Handlebar clamp: 22.2 mm diameter
- Material: AL 6061-T6 & AL 7075 aluminium
- Lever: Two thumb levers arranged one above the other
- Price (RRP): 389 euros (retail), 330 euros (configurator option)
Sebastian Brust
Editor
