First 1200 km! – Pinion vs Rohloff w/belt – What's the BEST DRIVETRAIN? – side-by-side test / EPS 1

Welcome to this epic side by side test of two of the most talked about gearing systems: the Pinion Gearbox and Rohloff Speedhub! Both on fully loaded touring bikes and equipped with Gates CDX belt drivetrains.

In this video we go over the key differences between the two, share our first impressions and experience over the first 1200 km we have cycled with these bikes this winter (down to -35°C) - across Finland from Helsinki to Rovaniemi. After years of touring with chains and derailleurs, this is also the first time we are touring with belt drives so we will mention something about that, too.

This test is epic because:
- Rohloff and Pinion are facing the same challenges: we are cycling the same route at the same time and with the same weight.
- We are a full time world bicycle tourers so this project is a test on many years of endurance. These gearboxes are facing some of the most extreme conditions around the world.
- To our knowledge this hasn’t been done before.
- We will publish a series of videos over the years, and
- This will reveal the ultimate bicycle gearbox!

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►► S U P P O R T O U R C H A N N E L

►► C O L L E C T OUR P O S T C A R D S FROM A R O U N D T H E W O R L D

More about the bicycles:

0:00 Introducing our test
1:14 Gears
1:49 Efficiency
2:38 Lag in engagement
3:40 Weight
4:34 Shifters
5:53 Spontaneous shifting
6:14 Failure
6:55 Maintenance
8:43 Price
9:03 Warranty
9:24 Belt Drive
10:28 Conclusion

►► F O L L O W U S O N :

Nomad's Trails I N S T A G R A M

Nomad's Trails W E B S I T E

Nomad's Trails F A C E B O O K

Nomad's Trails Y O U T U B E

Nomad's Trails T W I T T E R

[NomadsTrails]

Hi, some of you been mentioning a lab test which shows Rohloff is more efficient. Here is my opinion regarding that: I can't comment about that lab test : I am not a scientist so I can't judge any lab test. But above any kind of test for me it is the real life experience which matters at the end of the day. I am not cycling inside the Lab invironment. There can be factors efecting the performance in real life which are not calculated on the lab test. The reason sience is always keep developing, we never will have Ultimate sience. But real life and what we experience I think is the truth. But this is my humble opinion 😊

[gregknipe]

this has been a topic on mind for several years, how fortunate you are on top of the vibe and pointing toward great topics and information for us. thank you.

[hokehinson]

Outstanding real life test. Agree that lab testing only provides engineer level results NOT real world results. Life Is dice roll each day real knowledge IS squeezed from each event, THIS is the most useful elixar to drink! Its intelligence....that other stuff from books is just opinions concepts ....as a cyclist on a budget if money was no obstacle and serious touring was a goal would defer to pinion. Strongly agree with another post ...
" much easier is replace drive wheel if needed.." much respect to both drive systems they are truely phonomenal!
Cheers.

[sunreindeerfog]

So happy to see you guys on the road again! 🙌 Good idea for latest video too!

[BikeTillDawn]

Thanks a lot guys for this comparison and the insights provided. By switching the bikes and cycling side-by-side you can really make a profound judgement!
Besides, it’s so nice to see from you again after a long time. Looking forward to more winter videos!
Keep going :)

[hans]

Well done, guys. Stay happy and stay safe!

[Hertzultra]

Glad the two of you are getting sponsered... i need to catch up on your story so far xx

[onedaywellallbedead]

I change the oil on my Rohloff every 10, 000 Km with no problems. Was thinking of changing to a Veer belt drive system, so thanks for the info guys...😎👍

[terrors]

Great comparison! That's what the (bike) world was waiting for.

[Joseph-jylz]

Well done to both of you for taking on this tour. Great comparison review and I look forward to seeing the future episodes. Best wishes on your trip and have a safe and enjoyable tour

[simonjohnson]

Brilliant video. I have a Pinion P.18 and I love it!

[sallyrosser]

That was so interesting listening to your experience on using the both of these! thank you

[roamingaroundtheoutdoors]

I‘ve been cycling more than 30, 000 km with my heavy loaded Pinion P1.18 & Gates CDX powered travel bike since 2017 and only have had twice an issue with a slightly leaking crank bearing seal, which have been fixed by Pinion within the 5 years guarantee as I came back home from my 2018 (8, 800 km) and 2019 (6, 000km) tours. I recommend to carry out Pinion’s “factory inspection” after basic guarantee has expired to preserve the reliability of the gearbox and obtain a 2 years follow-up guarantee.

[felipericketts]

Great comparison of the two systems, both of which are great. I was recently considering which I would get for myself and chose the Pinion with the Gates belt drive. Seems you like it better over all so maybe I made the right decision. Two important things you mentioned: apparently the Pinion is less effort to pedal, and the Rohloff needs an oil change if you submerge the rear hub. Two very important considerations that I was not aware of when I was thinking about what to get for my self. Love your videos and look forward to enjoying your adventures! :-)

[joeljohn]

Happy to see you both again💖. Love you. Stay safe

[freedomwon]

Great to see you on the road again. Please be safe out there.
Thank you for sharing your adventure with all of us. Both seem like awesome bikes. Your in our thoughts and prayers! 🙏❤🚴‍♂️

[PabloUsunoff]

Great video!!! thank you for the info guys. safe travels!

[ladamyre]

I just bought a Priority 600 and it has the Pinion C1.12 gearbox and a Gates Carbon Belt drive system. If I were restricted to one bike I had to live with forever it would be one with the Pinion and the Gates belt. Together they make a bike almost maintenance free: all you have to do is wash it and change the oil once a year or about 7000 miles.
Three years ago I bought a Priority Turi. It has the Gates belt too but it has an Enviolo rear hub that is a new technology and is a dream to ride with infinitely variable 300% ratio. I put 7000 miles on it without any trouble: wash it and no oil change because the hub is sealed and not serviceable. It's a street bike and has thin tires so it doesn't do well in gravel which is why I bought the 600.
In any case, the Gates belt drive is the greatest. In my opinion Derailleurs are for racing and for gearheads that just like to constantly have to work on their bike. I'm NEVER going back to exposed chains and cogs again.

Oh, by-the-way. To keep the belt from wearing the cogs, use corn starch on the belt. It is the slipperiest dry lubricant there is, is as cheap as dirt and is non-toxic.

[Regantdarcy]

Great comparison. It sounds like Pinion is the way to go for me as well. 👍🏼

[RSLtreecare]

Really fantastic... A very informative experience. I am looking at a belt drive bike, but that's just for home, cargo carrier. We, the family shop and play around a network of small farms. Homeschool and meet up with other groups. Take care...