Pinion MGU ‘eBike motor and gearshift in one’ wins Eurobike Gold

The Pinion MGU (Motor.Gearbox.Unit) – pitched as eBike technology of the next generation – combines the motor and gearshift into one unit. Pinion has earned a Eurobike Gold for its trouble, in the ‘Components’ category.

The new drive system for eBikes combines a powerful electric motor with proven Pinion gearbox tech, and electric shifting of up to 12 gears in a compact package.

The Pinion MGU combines a wear-free electric motor with the innovative Pinion gearbox (9 or 12 gears) in a compact all-in-one package of comparable size and weight to mid-mounted motors with separate gear shifting, says Pinion. Located centrally and low in the bottom bracket area for optimal weight distribution in the eBike, the MGU and its integrated shifting tech operate virtually wear-free, requiring nothing more than an oil change every 10,000 kilometres. The system also significantly reduces the unsprung mass at the rear wheel, for better suspension performance and greater comfort and traction.

With its roots in an e-machine for industrial applications, the MGU is highly efficient, using 48 volt tech and offering approx. 85Nm torque compared to conventional motors without integrated gearbox – however the comparison isn’t true, points out Pinion, due to the integrated gearbox, output shaft values are not directly comparable to ordinary mid-motors.

The brand says Pinion gearboxes are more reliable at shifting than conventional bicycle derailleurs and better equipped for the high loads imposed by an eBike motor. In fact, shifting is semi-automatic. Pre.Select allows the system to automatically shift into the perfect gear for the bike’s speed when coasting downhill, providing the ridder with the right gear to get back onto the pedals without having to frantically shift up or down first. Start.Select working with MGU automatically shifts into a preselected starting gear – the days of awkwardly trying to get the bike going in the right gear are over, said Pinion.

Thanks to FIT as a system integration partner, the Pinion E-Drive System offers bicycle manufacturers a high degree of modularity as well as a proven and reliable service infrastructure, added the brand.

Launch partners offering eBikes with the Pinion E-Drive System for the 2024 model year include eMTBs (Rotwild, Simplon and Bulls), e-trekking bikes, eCargo and eCompact bikes (Kettler, Flyer, Tout Terrain, Pegasus, Zemo and I:SY). There’s more detail on the Pinion site.

Pinion’s drive for eBike innovations saw it partner with Stromer for its electronically shifted gearbox last year, using power drawn from the eBike battery.