Pinion
Pinion GmbH is a German OEM supplier of centrally-mounted bicycle gearboxes and integrated Motor.Gearbox.Units (MGU) for e-bikes, serving over 100 bicycle manufacturers worldwide with premium drivetrain technology originating from Porsche transmission engineering.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersDenkendorf, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Pinion does
Pinion GmbH is a German engineering company founded in 2008 in Denkendorf that designs and manufactures centrally-mounted bicycle gearboxes and integrated electric drive systems for e-bikes. The company applies automotive transmission principles—originating from its founders' work at Porsche's transmission development center—to cycling, producing the P-Line (P1.18, P1.12, P1.9XR, P1.9CR) and C-Line gearbox families, the Smart.Shift electronic shifting system, and the Motor.Gearbox.Unit (MGU), a fully integrated e-bike drive combining motor and gearbox in a single compact unit. Each gearbox consists of approximately 140 components assembled by hand at the company's Denkendorf facility, with documented lifespans exceeding 100,000 km and oil-change intervals of 10,000 km.
Pinion operates as a B2B OEM component supplier, selling its drivetrain technology to over 100 bicycle manufacturers worldwide across mountain bike, gravel, trekking, touring, and e-bike categories. Revenue is generated primarily through hardware sales of gearboxes, MGU systems, and accessories (shifters, belt pulleys, service parts), with end-consumer pricing determined by partner brands rather than Pinion directly. The company distributes its products through OEM partners and a network of specialist dealers, supported by an extensive FIT-led dealer training program reaching approximately 1,000 specialist dealers across 36 locations in 6 European countries, and through regional partners such as VPL in North America.
Since August 2022, Pinion has operated as a majority-owned subsidiary of BRP (Bombardier Recreational Products), a global powersports leader, while retaining operational independence under its three managing directors (founders Christoph Lermen and Michael Schmitz, plus Thomas Raith). The company has expanded its addressable market through successive product launches—C-Line (2016), Smart.Shift (July 2022), and MGU (June 2023)—and has won multiple industry awards including the VR INNOVATIONs Award 2025, German Design Award 2019, and Eurobike Award 2016.
Pinion firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Pinion
- Legal name
- Pinion GmbH
- Website
- https://pinion.eu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Pinion GmbH is a German OEM supplier of centrally-mounted bicycle gearboxes and integrated Motor.Gearbox.Units (MGU) for e-bikes, serving over 100 bicycle manufacturers worldwide with premium drivetrain technology originating from Porsche transmission engineering.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Pinion industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Bicycle Drivetrain Components
- NAICS
- Motorcycle, Bicycle, and Parts Manufacturing (336991)
- SIC
- Motorcycles, Bicycles & Parts (3751)
- akta.pro primary industry
- E-bikes & E-cargo Bikes Manufacturing (IMACAOAA)
Keywords
Where Pinion is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Denkendorf
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Pinion business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Gearbox Component Sales: Pinion sells its gearbox systems and components to bicycle manufacturers who incorporate them into their bikes. Revenue is generated from OEM supply agreements with over 100 bicycle brands worldwide.
- MGU E-Drive System Sales: Sales of the integrated Motor.Gearbox.Unit system to e-bike manufacturers for full-power e-bikes and pedelecs.
- Accessories and Service Parts: Sales of accessories including shifters, belt pulleys, and service-related components for Pinion gearboxes.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Priority 600HXT with Pinion Smart.Shift |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Moustache Clutch E-Mountainbike with Pinion MGU |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Pinion product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Pinion develops and manufactures centrally-mounted bicycle gearbox systems (P-Line and C-Line), the Smart.Shift electronic shifting system for Ci-Line gearboxes, and the Motor.Gearbox.Unit (MGU), the world's first fully integrated motor and gearbox unit for e-bikes. The company sells these hardware components and accessories primarily on a B2B basis to over 100 bicycle manufacturers worldwide who incorporate them into mountain bikes, gravel, trekking, touring, and e-bike models. End customers access Pinion-equipped finished bicycles through a network of specialist bicycle dealers across Europe and through VPL in North America.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Pinion MGU (Motor.Gearbox.Unit): The revolutionary e-bike drive system combining motor and gearbox into one compact unit.
- Pinion Smart.Shift
- P-Line
- C-Line
Products and services
- Pinion P-Line Gearbox System (P1.18, P1.12, P1.9XR, P1.9CR) The premium, high-end centrally-mounted bicycle gearbox line, including the P1.18 (18-speed, 636% total translation), P1.12, P1.9CR, and P1.9XR variants, designed for touring, mountain, and specialized applications.
- Pinion C-Line Gearbox System The centrally-mounted gearbox line that brought Pinion technology to upper mid-range bicycles, offering the C1.12 (12-speed, 600% total gear ratio) and related variants with the same automotive-inspired sealed gear-shift design.
- Pinion Smart.Shift Electronic Shifting System An electric shifting system for Pinion Ci-Line gearboxes that enables lightning-fast gear changes via button or trigger, with Pre.Select and Start.Select functions for automatic gear selection under load and stationary.
- Pinion Motor.Gearbox.Unit (MGU) A revolutionary e-bike drive system that integrates a powerful electric motor with the proven Pinion gearbox technology in a single compact unit, delivering 160 Nm at the rear wheel and aimed at full-power e-bikes, E-MTBs, and pedelecs.
- Pinion Accessories and Service Parts Accessories and service-related components for Pinion gearboxes, including shifters, belt pulleys, and related service parts sold to support installed Pinion systems across bicycle brands.
Quantifiable outcome
- 600% total gear ratio - exceeds any chain transmission
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Pinion
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Pinion technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Feature5 records
Pinion partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators5 records
Recent moves13 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Pinion competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Enviolo (formerly NuVinci): Dutch maker of the NuVinci/Enviolo continuously variable transmission (CVT) for e-bikes and cargo bikes. Direct peer in the alternative-to-derailleur internal drivetrain category, also targeting low-maintenance, seamless shifting for e-bike and urban cycling applications.
- Rohloff AG: German manufacturer of the Speedhub 500/14, a 14-speed internally-geared bicycle hub. Closest direct competitor to Pinion in the bicycle gearbox category, with a similar engineering-led, premium-niche positioning in OEM drivetrains.
Broad incumbents
- SRAM: US-based rival to Shimano, supplying derailleurs, electronic shifting (AXS), and the Eagle Powertrain e-bike system. Directly comparable as an OEM-facing drivetrain/electronic shifting competitor to Pinion's Smart.Shift and MGU offerings.
- Shimano: Japanese global leader in bicycle components (derailleurs, shifters, e-bike drive systems under Shimano Steps). Most direct comparable as a bicycle drivetrain supplier to OEMs, though Pinion's gearbox architecture differs fundamentally from Shimano's derailleur paradigm.
- Yamaha eBike Systems (PWseries): Japanese incumbent supplying complete e-bike drive units (motor, electronics, battery) to OEM brands. Comparable broad incumbent competing for the same OEM slot that Pinion MGU pursues.
- Bosch eBike Systems: Division of Bosch supplying mid-motor e-bike drive systems to a large share of European e-bike OEMs. Broad incumbent and primary competitor in the integrated e-bike drive system space where Pinion's MGU operates.
- Brose eBike Systems: German supplier of compact e-bike mid-drive motors and integrated systems. Direct OEM competitor in the European e-bike drive category and a broad incumbent relevant to Pinion's MGU.
- Mahle ebikemotion (X35): Lightweight rear-hub e-bike system used by premium road/gravel brands (Orbea, Wilier, etc.). Adjacent incumbent in the e-bike drive category and a potential complement or competitor to Pinion's mid-drive MGU depending on bike category.
Others
- Specialized (Turbo e-bikes in-house): Major bicycle OEM that vertically integrates e-bike drive systems (Specialized SL/Mid-drive). Comparable as a downstream OEM customer/competitor to Pinion's MGU offering, illustrating how OEMs can bypass drivetrain suppliers in e-bike.
Emerging players
- TQ (HPR50 / HPR120): German emerging player offering lightweight, quiet mid-drive e-bike motors used in high-end road/gravel e-bikes. Comparable emerging force in the integrated e-bike drive space where Pinion MGU competes.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Pinion social profiles
Digital presencePinion financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Pinion leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Pinion subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Pinion funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Pinion M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Pinion
What does Pinion do?
Pinion develops and manufactures centrally-mounted bicycle gearbox systems (P-Line and C-Line), the Smart.Shift electronic shifting system for Ci-Line gearboxes, and the Motor.Gearbox.Unit (MGU), the world's first fully integrated motor and gearbox unit for e-bikes. The company sells these hardware components and accessories primarily on a B2B basis to over 100 bicycle manufacturers worldwide who incorporate them into mountain bikes, gravel, trekking, touring, and e-bike models. End customers access Pinion-equipped finished bicycles through a network of specialist bicycle dealers across Europe and through VPL in North America.
Is Pinion a public or private company?
Pinion is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Pinion founded?
Pinion was founded in 2008. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Pinion based?
Pinion is headquartered in Denkendorf, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Pinion make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Gearbox Component Sales are the primary driver. The others are MGU E-Drive System Sales and accessories and Service Parts.
Who are Pinion's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Enviolo (formerly NuVinci) and Rohloff AG. Broad incumbents are SRAM, Shimano, Yamaha eBike Systems (PWseries), Bosch eBike Systems, Brose eBike Systems and Mahle ebikemotion (X35). Specialized (Turbo e-bikes in-house) is listed as an others. TQ (HPR50 / HPR120) is listed as an emerging player.
Does Pinion have an API?
No public API is recorded for Pinion.
What industry is Pinion in?
Pinion's product category is Bicycle Drivetrain Components. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMACAOAA, E-bikes & E-cargo Bikes Manufacturing. Its NAICS code is 336991 and its SIC code is 3751.