Olsen Launches Kickstarter For Pinion Gearbox Carbon Hardtail

When cockroaches learn to ride bicycles, this is probably what they’ll be going for. Fit to survive a nuclear apocalypse, or maybe even a British winter, Olsen bikes with Pinion gearboxes and belt drives may be on many a rider’s wish list.

All The Mud.

While the bikes have been available to order for some time, each one tailored to your specific geometry requirements, Olsen has launched a Kickstarter campaign. Through processing a number of bikes all at the same time Olsen can make the production more efficient and give customers some extra discount. Also, by getting the volumes higher, all the CNC frame inserts become cheaper.

Peanut butter, here we come

Those who get worked up about ‘Standards’ may wish to note that Olsen has adopted the following established standards:

142/12mm maxle dropouts
SHIS 44mm headtube
Internal gear cable and dropper post hose routing.
180mm Post mount disc brakes.
Both Pinion gearboxes P-line or C-line.

The bikes are suitable for 29er or 27.5+ wheels. So after the apocalypse, those cockroaches are going to have choice when it comes to scavenging parts.

If you’ve been eying these bikes up, now’s your chance to grab a discount on a frameset, either with P-Line of C-Line Pinion gearbox. There’s even a frameset with custom paint job and Hope bling reward for anyone pledging £3000 or more.

Works with only minor dirt too.

If gears aren’t your thing, there’s also a singlespeed belt driven option for £1,500.

Doesn’t have to be ridden in mud.

If you just love the idea but can’t buy whole new bike, there’s a bunch of smaller supporters’ rewards such as South Downs Way themed water bottles and t-shirts. Hop on over and see if anything takes your fancy.

Gearbox. Not an Ebike.

These have been on our radar for a while, and we’re expecting delivery of a test bike early in the new year. Watch this space.

Definitely a bike for cockroaches.

Hannah Dobson

Managing Editor

I came to Singletrack having decided there must be more to life than meetings. I like all bikes, but especially unusual ones. More than bikes, I like what bikes do. I think that they link people and places; that cycling creates a connection between us and our environment; bikes create communities; deliver freedom; bring joy; and improve fitness. They're environmentally friendly and create friendly environments. I try to write about all these things in the hope that others might discover the joy of bikes too.