Internal hub gear manufacturer Classified has teamed up with performance brake specialists TRP to create a 16-speed groupset. Vistar // Powershift is available in a 1×16 setup for street riding or 1×15 for gravel riding, though the “1×16” notation is a bit misleading; no 16 sp cassette, just 16 unique gear ratios.
The new Vistar // Powershift groupset uses a 12-speed cassette paired with a Powershift hub to provide sequential shifting, automatically changing the hub gear when necessary to provide 16 sequential gears. For riders looking for even more gears, it’s possible to take full control of the shifting, theoretically allowing riders to have 24 gear ratios superimposed by a one-by-one shifting system.
Shifting is electronically actuated with the shifter, derailleur and internal hub gear all working wirelessly.
For a single chainset, the brands claim this new collaboration offers the widest gear ratio at 530% when equipped with a 10-40 tooth cassette.
TRP is not new to the world of groupsets with the brand already producing the EVO 12 and EVO 7 DH mountain bike groupsets, however this collaboration with Classified marks TRP’s first move into the road and gravel market.
Classified CEO Mathias Plouvier said: “We have spent two years collaborating with TRP on this innovative product and are excited to showcase the VISTAR // Powershift groupset for the first time.”
The Vistar // Powershift groupset pairs a 12-speed one-by-one drivetrain with Classified’s Powershift two-speed internal gearing (Image credit: Classified)
“Both Classified and TRP share the same strategic vision of pushing the boundaries of motion technologies and we have achieved our goal of creating a pioneering product that is not only fast, efficient and durable, but also offers the widest range of the gears in the market.”
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While TRP may not be a household name in the groupset market, it is certainly a brand associated with hydraulic disc brakes with over 35 years of experience creating performance brakes. This lineage is bought to Vistar levers with TRP claiming that, “Vistar’s innovative, ergonomically designed cups and levers enable powerful, one-finger braking regardless of hand size.”
TRP claims that, “Vistar’s innovative, ergonomically designed cups and levers enable powerful, one-finger braking regardless of hand size.” (Image credit: Classified / TRP)
Aerodynamic and efficient
One of the main purported benefits of the groupset is the aerodynamic benefit of removing the front bar. Due to its location on the side of the seat tube, the front derailleurs are in direct airflow and by their very nature are not particularly aerodynamic in shape. Switching to an internal hub gear system reduces the overall drag a group causes.
Another added benefit of using a single-ring setup with a two-speed internal gear is the ability to maintain an optimized chainline for longer. With a traditional single-ring setup, the optimal chain line is located in the middle of the cassette. For a traditional two-ring setup, the optimal chain line varies depending on which chain ring you’re riding.
What the Vistar // Powershift allows is for riders to have more gear options around the middle of the cassette, keeping the chain in a more efficient position for a wider effective spread of ratios. This has the benefit of increasing the efficiency of the drive system when compared to a traditional one-of-a-kind configuration.
TRP CEO Leo Chen said, “We are proud to have joined forces with Classified on our first electronic street and gravel group.”
“Both companies are driven to disrupt the market with innovative, new technologies and with VISTAR // Powershift, we have offered a unique group that offers high-level “two-in-one” performance with all the benefits of a “one-in-one” system. from”.
Specifics on pricing and availability are scarce on the set, however we can expect the set to be available by the end of the third quarter of this year.
