Cycling great Tom Boonen has become the ambassador for the new Belgian shifting system Classified Cycling.
Classified is strongly embedded in the Belgium cycling culture, with the aim of making conventional front derailleurs a thing of the past. The system relies on a virtual derailleur that’s incorporated in the rear wheel hub, providing 22 gears with just a single front chain ring and eleven rear sprockets, enabling shifting to take place in a fraction of a second, even under peak load.
Tom Boonen took up a role as adviser and ambassador as a new shareholder for Classified Cycling, saying, “this technology is extremely innovative and we are expecting a definitive breakthrough in 2021, perhaps even in the professional peloton. Furthermore, Classified is based in Flanders and I’m happy to help promote this new product which is manufactured in the heart of the world of cycling.”
“Our Classified shifting system is an ingenious, electro-mechanical system in the rear wheel hub. The 2-speed ‘gearbox’ in the smart wheel hub consists of 100 patented components and works wirelessly. At the heart of our revolutionary technology is a team of Belgian and Dutch engineers and experts in transmission systems, wherein over 90% of the components are manufactured by suppliers from Belgium and the Netherlands,” explains Classified Cycling’s CEO Mathias Plouvier.
So far, the Belgian bike brand, Ridley, is the first to debut the Classified system on its latest Kanzo Fast gravel. For Plouvier, Tom Boonen’s participation and the collaboration with Ridley are significant steps and proof that there’s a big market for his company’s invention.
“Barely a month after our initial presentation, Ridley was the first to join forces with Classified,” he adds.
Ridley Bikes and Eddy Merckx Cycles owner Jochim Aerts is convinced about the new shifting technology.
“Our new gravel bike the Kanzo Fast is the first to be equipped with this Classified shifting system, which has helped our R&D department make this bike even more aerodynamic. Getting rid of the front derailleur and a perfect seat tube finishing takes this bike to an even higher level, without losing any of the benefits of shifting between an outer and inner chain ring.”
Classified Cycling
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