Internal hub manufacturer Classified teamed up with performance brake experts TRP to create a 16-speed groupset. The Vistar // Powershift is available in 1×16 for road or 1×15 for gravel, although the “1×16” label is a bit misleading; there is no 16sp cassette, just 16 unique gear ratios.
The new Vistar // Powershift kit uses a 12-speed cassette paired with a Powershift hub to offer sequential shifting, automatically changing gears in the hub when needed 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 overlapping gear ratios from a single-row drivetrain.
Shifting is controlled electronically with a gear lever, derailleur and internal hub, all working wirelessly.
For one set of derailleurs, the brand claims this new collaboration offers the widest gear ratio of 530% when fitted with a 10-40 tooth cassette.
TRP is not new to the world of groupsets as the brand already produces the EVO 12 and EVO 7 DH mountain bike sets, however this collaboration with Classified marks TRP’s first foray into the road and gravel market.
Undercover CEO Mathias Plouvier said: “We have spent two years working with TRP on this ground-breaking product and are excited to be showing off the VISTAR // Powershift kit for the first time.”
The Vistar // Powershift groupset pairs a 12-speed single-track drive train with Classified’s Powershift 2-speed internal hub gear (Image credit: Classified)
“Both Classified and TRP share the same strategic vision of pushing the boundaries of powertrain technology, 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 transmissions on the market.”
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Although TRP may not be a household name in the groupset market, they are certainly a brand associated with hydraulic disc brakes with over 35 years of experience in producing performance brakes. This pedigree was purchased for Vistar levers with TRP stating that “Innovative, ergonomically designed Vistar covers and levers enable powerful one-finger braking, regardless of hand size.”
TRP claims Vistar’s “innovative, ergonomically designed housings and levers enable powerful one-finger braking regardless of hand size.” (Image credit: Classified / TRP)
Aerodynamic and efficient
One of the key claimed benefits of the kit is the aerodynamic advantage of removing the front derailleur. Due to their location on the side of the seat tube, the derailleurs are in direct airflow and by their nature do not have a particularly aerodynamic shape. Switching to an internal hub gear system reduces the overall drag that the group causes.
Another added benefit of using a single-ring setup with a two-speed internal hub gear is the ability to maintain an optimized chainline for longer periods of time. With a traditional single-ring setup, the optimal chainline is located in the middle of the cassette. With a traditional two-ring configuration, the optimal chain line varies depending on what derailleur you’re riding.
What the Vistar // Powershift allows is that riders have more gear options around the center of the cassette, keeping the chain in a more efficient position for a wider effective gear spread. This has the advantage of increasing the efficiency of the drive train compared to a traditional one-by configuration.
TRP CEO Leo Chen said: “We are proud to join forces with Classified on our first electronic road and gravel folding bar.”
“Both companies are driven to disrupt the market with innovative, new technologies and with VISTAR // Powershift we have delivered a unique kit that provides superior two-point performance with all the benefits of a single-row system.”
Pricing and availability details are thin on the group, but we can expect the group to be available by the end of Q3 this year.
