Pinion users – 9 or 12 speed?

Got a zerode katipo on order. I originally spec’d a 12 speed box, but these have been delayed and they mentioned if I want a 9 speed box they can dispatch straight away.

The zerode website seems to recommend the 9 speed of you’re unsure here

I can’t help thinking the steps are big though. On the other hand I’ve got an 18 speed box on another bike and the steps are definitely too small for most riding, I usually shift two or three gears at once (11.5% for the 18 speed, 17.7% for the 12 and 24.3% for the 9 speed)

Anyone used both the 9 and 12 speed gearbox? Or got one of them and wished you’d got the other?

Cheers

Bump anyone tried these yet ta

24.3% step would be ok at the bottom end, but I’d venture it’s a massive jump in the higher gears.
Haven’t ridden a gearbox bike, I’m only talking numbers.

I’ve got a Zerode Taniwha with the older P12 (aluminium housing, about 1/2 lb heavier) gearbox and really rate the bike as a whole; the weight distribution makes for brilliant dynamics, one moment allowing you to plough through whatsoever is in your path with the confidence of an angry rhino, the next allowing you to pop playfully into the air like a highly relaxed startled grasshopper; on top of that, there is sublime suspension performance that ensures the only oscillation you feel is your heart pumping joy around your body.

The gearbox itself is a mixed bag; would prefer a trigger shifter (though the ability to grab most of the gears in one go without turning a crank is a goodsend); was previously struggling to shift to higher gears on trail, but since reversing the gripshift cables things have been far more ergonomically friendly and intuitive, with the bonus of emulating a motorbike throttle; also had more than my share of woes with the chain tensioner after offsetting it to accomodate a spider mounted narrow wide ring on the front, but generally speaking, the gearbox just gets on with the job with a very healthy range of gears that puts all these new fangled fancy cassettes to shame.

Only major problem is every bugger wants to chat to you about it; between that, all the attention from the opposite sex and having to chisel off the thick film of caked on drool from over eager onlookers, you tend to get less time on the bike overall

Can’t comment on the comparison between 9spd and 12spd, but all told, the gearbox experience has been a good one

Bump anyone tried these yet ta

Is it the bike or just the gearbox you’re after info on?

Went with the 12 speed in the end. Been riding it for nearly a year and I’d say I made the right choice. I mostly ride in the lakes and tend to do long days out so like being able to find just the right gear ratio. With a 9 speed I think I’d end up being annoyingly slightly too high or low at times. Before that I was still on a 2×10 setup so maybe it’s just cos it’s closer to what I’m used to. If you want to be able to shift through a big range quickly the 9 speed could be a better option.

The bike itself is fantastic, pretty much as jivehoneyjive describes for his Taniwha. It does make a lot of stuff ridiculously easy, though I don’t find it sucks the fun out of easier trails too much the way being overbiked sometimes can.

There’s a couple of minor niggles/design flaws. The belt tensioner isn’t particularly well implemented if you go for the belt drive option. It needs a few mods out the box to work well. Also the main pivot is directly in the firing line of the rear wheel and needs some protection from mud/stones. Lots of people zip tie a bit of inner tube or similar to the frame. I fitted one of those bendy plastic mini front mudguards to the chainstays but this reduces tyre clearance when it’s already not especially generous if you use big tyres in muddy conditions (I think they’re planning to redesign the chainstays for improved clearance).

If it is a Zerode you’re considering there’s an owner’s group on facebook with useful info, particularly about tensioner mods (it’s not a big job btw, basically one of the bushings needs sanded down and it’s worth putting the spring in some old inner tube to weatherproof it. Also the stock bearings are crap and won’t last long in UK weather). Happy to answer any other questions

Oh forgot to mention, sometimes people with think you’re on an e-bike. Had a gang of e-bikers think I was one of their kind before…