So from pennies in my piggy bank and quarters under my couch cushions I ordered the 600 5 days ago....per Fedex it's on the truck to be delivered today....Yahoo!!!
As a guy who uses his bike mostly for commuting and other utility stuff, the hub dynamo and LED lights are one of the favourite features of my current bike. You don't have to think about remembering to bring the lights along and they have also proven quite reliable after more than two years of use.
Yep. I have a Classic Plus with battery powered lights that strap on with a silicone strap and hook. Super reliable and very bright, and the lithium batteries last quite a while before needing a charge. The problem, of course, is that someone can steal them, since they're meant to be easily taken on and off without tools for charging the battery. My wheels and seat at least require a specific size hex bit to remove, so a thief would move on to the bike parked next to me which has quick releases.
The Gates belt drive is bullet proof! I own a 92 Harley davidson with the original Gates belt drive, at 89,000 miles on the odometer I never had any issues..
Thanks for the thorough review. Both the 600 and 600X are incredible values compared to other brands with the pinion gear box. I chose the 600 as my first conventional bike for my riding.
2200 doesn't seem bad for what you get, I may have to look into purchasing one. I occasionally ride my Specialized Hardrock to work and the 600 looks to be a perfect fit. Thank you for posting the review.
Bought one myself and am very happy with it. It definitely feels like a 2000 dollar bike so you get your money's worth. You mentioned rain and water obstacles but up here in Wisconsin I plow through snow with those big ass tires and aside from a rinse off to keep the salt away that gear box requires no maintenance when I cover that thing in ice.
It would be nice if they would offer a basic version of the priority 600. One without lights, fenders and a dynamo. If i could get it for around 1800, I’d probably get one. They look like nice rigs. Great review Kevin!!
Interesting... a bicycle with a car gearbox. In the future cyclist will have to take their bike in for transmission servicing. This video reminds me of the 2012 Jamis Commuter 4 with the NuVinci 360 variable speed rear hub. Very reliable bike. Mine still running today. It weighed 31pounds and cost about $850 USD. I never had to service the hub.
Great bike. I love the all black. The gearing system is very new. For $2,200; i would want to know a local bike shop would be able to service it. I think the brilliant L train maybe there best bang for the buck bike. I wish it was offered in black. That would be an interesting look.
Just got my P600 as an upgrade to my 2009 Giant Seek 1 with the Alfine 8. Great low end for the hills around Charlottesville VA. Love the dymo and lights-Always on!! Price is up to 2499 but still much cheaper than a spandex only bike. It is now specked with Goodyear County 650Bx50mm tires with small knobs on the sides for gravel. Needed some slight fender adjustment but excellent ride! I ordered the medium 19” because I like a larger frame for my 5’7”-29”inseam. It is perfect! The measurements match my medium Seek but with longer a wheelbase. Wish I had this back in ‘77 when I rode from Cleveland to Portland ME with my Schwinn Voyager II 21” 10 Spd Dura-Ace in two weeks. That is right, I am in my late 60’s🤘🤘. Been riding since I was 5! I could not stand over my Schwinn either-who cares? I still have both nutz🤪🤪. Thanks for the review!! Looking forward to RailTrails and the Great Allegheny Passage and Greenbrier Trail in WVA.
Kev, I’ve had the 600 since it came out and I am addicted to it. I noticed that the shifting gets looser as time goes by except the transition between 8th and 9th gear, which does require a slight pause in pedaling. I hated the twist shifter at first, but now I’m finding it great to transition between several gears at once; it’s simply an amazing feeling. Oh, those 650b tires are a dream. Thanks for the great review!
I meant that the shifting has become smoother after a while. I noticed that it’s easier to twist the twist shifter and the transition between gears is smoother and quicker than when the bike was new.
After 2 weeks of riding the 600, these are my pros and cons : Pros : Pinion gearbox. It is really perfect. It is quite when you pedalling and so noisy when not, but this noise is like a trademark. I just love it and you do not need horn, almost. 2. Carbon belt is smooth and it's doing really good job. 3. It is very elegant looking and classy. I personally love it's design. It stands among others. 4. Tyres are good looking and wide. 5. This bike is really fast when you hit 12 speed with full power. It is really going fast like you are on road bike....It is going better uphill in compare to Scott 20 Men Sport for example. Cons : I have not found 1 real good reason why you should not have this bike for $2,300 but there are few minor things I don't like about it. 1. I found that pedals ( and frame ) are too low to the ground and I don't feel comfortable turning fast and leaning. 2. I keep hitting front fender when pedalling and turning left. I am now getting used to avoid it so it does not happen too often. 3. I don't like the grips ( melting when hot ) and seat. I changed grips for ergo leathers which are perfect in stealth black and I ordered brooks B17. Overall I really like this bike. Personally I think this is in top 5 best looking retro-stylish-city bikes and pinion gives it great functionality.
It's not the gearbox making the noise - it's the rear hub. Just replace it with a quite one if it bothers you. though for that money one hopes they would have put a quiter one, but the noise may not have been their consideration.
Mother--humper! I agree about the grip shift. Yet, I love dedicated lights and dynamo hubs. I am so over recharging batteries for rides. The folks across the pond got that part right.
I am a new subscriber, and this was the video that led me here. I was interested in the Priority 600X. I was hoping at some point you might review it, I have watched some reviews on it but I have come to trust your unbiased approach. When I became interested in this bike I didn’t know the price (3500) and while I could purchase it, I didn’t see the value. If the pinion ever becomes massed produced or an equivalent product becomes more affordable it would be nice to eliminate the chain and derailleur. You have a great channel!
I have to credit this review. I have been looking for the perfect commuter bike and I couldn’t have made my choice without this video. Super excited to pick this baby up! Thanks for a great video review!
I'm loving it! I'm not a terribly strong rider myself, so the fact that at the high end the gear ratio doesn't compete with good road bikes doesn't bother me. I really appreciate the good low end, mainly for hills I might encounter at the end of long rides when I'm tired and in danger of cramping up. At first I wasn't enjoying the seat and my first few rides left my rear feeling a bit sore. That's probably because my old bike (given to me by my dad when he decided he was too old to ride) has a big, fat and really squishy seat. It seems I've toughened up a bit, though, as the only thing that's been sore after two long rides I've done (well, long for me) are my quads.
I was looking for a derailleur and got tired of just too many suggestions - a gravel bike? an adventurer? a touring? bikepacking? 1x; 2x; triple; compact, subcompact, wolftooth and so on an on. I will get the pinion and just enjoy the ride. 5 years warranty on the gearbox; 10,000 km oil change ($15); 600% range; no maintenance; tourers doing 100,000 km issue free riding. I am getting one. Kev, if you could test it on a slight steep it would be very helpful to those of us who want to take it bikepacking.
Another GREAT Review - Would also like to see the option to not have the generator HUB and lights - I do have my own lights. Overall, really like the bike - not put off by the price tag. I think it's a fair price for such a high quality bike. My current commuter is going on 5 years old, so in the market. At $2,200 and I keep this one 5 years, that's approximately $1.20 a day (one less Coffee a day, don't forget Credit Card rewards, a few extra bucks back). The Priority 600 is one of the three bikes under consideration. They have a real winner here, well thought out commuter. Looks great too.
Love your channel, I was doing research on elec bike and ran across your channel, you go over everything. Thanks for all the info. I will be buying this bike.
I've put about 1500 on mine since January. His point about offering it without the dynamo and lights is right on. It's a very draggy dynamo and the rear light isn't anywhere near bright enough. The front is nice as a safety light but not Bright enough for night riding. I wind up clicking the power off for a smoother roll. Other people who have to take the front Wheel off for transport complain about what a pain it is to disconnect / reconnect the tiny hub wire plug. That's true It's a low end dynamo. Better to shave a few hundred from the price without it
Incredible review. Your getting into ebike territory at that price but if you have ever been stationed in Europe then you understand quality street bikes are pricey as well. For American taste its kind of hard to swallow that price unless you are a serious bike commuter and even then walmart has a sweet deal on a pretty advanced ebike thats bullet proof.
Did you ever do the direct comparison Priority 600 and Continuum??? Couldn't find anything and I'm trying to decide between the two... I'd love the 600, but that's a lot of jingle..Did you end up keeping the 600?? thanks for the videos
You can tone down the clicking of the hub by adding grease. I've the same bike. Two 5mm allens and a small whack with a plastic mallet will open the hub. The clicking is due to the high number of points of engagement, which are nice to have. Smear in some extra grease to calm things down. You won't eliminate the noise, but you can reduce it a lot.
I saw where Chris King said he was going to use this same solution from the factory to silence his hubs but customer feedback was so positive for the sound that they just left em LOUD. LOL
Another great video. I’m not sure I’d drop 2k, but if I did I’d want a quiet bike. I’ve been spoiled by the Gotham (except for 3rd gear). Between your channel and learning about Priority I have a new found love of riding!
I upgraded my priority dynamo light to a B&M IQ-X with B&M taillight, much better lighting. Dynamo tail lights are the way to go for city riding. I understand if you live in bike unfriendly city why you might want super bright blinking lights, despite them being annoying and distracting to other bikes and drivers.
Hello Mike: Could you share your experience with the bike? Are you hearing any gear missing a tooth like experienced by some (wloesem)? Is the frame sturdy enough for light touring?
i just have the onyx with the nuvinche hub.not really anything to complain about. its a bit heavy for touring, i only use the nuvinche bc i commute in snow. if i were in a warmer climate i'd go with a standard deraileur.
Oh! Please for give. I really enjoy your channel. Your views on bikes are very the point of view of a person that doesn't race. Doesn't sell bikes. It's the view point of a person just likes/loves bicycles. May i suggest testing a Felt speed. Also, a Gaezelle tour popular8? The felt is an interesting bike that compared to trek fx. Gaezelle? It's a uility bike made in Holland. You ride one you'll love it! Not fast. But, very very comfortable. I did 66 miles in 7 hours on it. Sorry. I enjoy biking for the fact it's not expensive. You're not adding to traffic problems. Or, adding a cloud of greenhouse gasses.
Actually i want more of the transmission bikes, i think this is the bike future. almost no maintenance, very durable, and easy to understand. i hope i will find something like this bike like XC bike. Btw nice bike review :D
Hey Kev I know you said that you don’t like the grip shifter, but on gearbox bikes they all have grip shifters. As far as I know, there aren’t any trigger shifters available for gearbox bikes yet.
Attn: Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders. I just bought this bike in Canada about a month ago and by the time I was done paying the exchange rate, duties and taxes this bike was almost $4000 Canadian, which is close to what you would pay in Australia or New Zealand. It is a nice bike but I just want you to have all the facts. I was kind of shocked when I was done paying all the fees, it came to about $800 more than I thought I was going to pay for it. Here is hoping the pinion belt drive lasts me for the next 10-15 years, I am expecting BIG things from this bike considering the premium I paid for it here in Canada.
As an industrial mechanic I can really appreciate the Gates belt drive. I use, or rather replace, them regularly at work. I also noticed the drive sprocket has a centered rib to keep the belt from wandering. The sheaves I usually work with are flanged to keep the belt on the sheave. A similar principle but the sprocket's geometry would prevent accumulation of debris. It's a thoughtful design.
$2.200 would be little more than cost of the Pinion gearbox. You do not have to stop pedaling to shift. A dynamo powered light has some advantages because you do not have think about bringing a light, and the light is secured to the bike - always there when needed without thinking whether the batteries are good.
Thank you for the review. I have been looking into internal gear hub for a while. I almost bought the pinion touring bicycle from VSF (Germany) but they would not ship to NA. I have looked into VSF, Tout Terrain, Koga, Van Nichols, Idworx, santos, stevens etc. The cheapest bike fitted with pinion C1.12 is from VSF which cost US $3200! The cost of only the fame and pinion C1.12 is $3580 and $6400 for P1.18 at Co-Motion bicycles. Hence, a pinion C1.12 with Gates carbon drive for $2200 is terrific. The gear change in Pinion p1.18 is 11% compared to 13% in Rohloff and 17% in Pinion c1.12. Did you find the gear change in C1.12 abrupt? C1.12 is mostly used in mountain bikes. Do you think the gear ratio/change will work well for bike touring and bikepacking (multi-day)? The pedal at its vertical seems about only a few inches above the ground. Did the pedals scrape the ground in the woods while making any angle turns? I watched the video about the person who was not able to fit a pannier in this bike. The fork has only one eyelet. Have you tried fitting a pannier? Word is around the thumb shifter is on the way. Any confirmation from Pinion? Subbed :)
Thanks for the sub. I’ve found the gear range to be near perfect for my riding. I haven’t had any issues with pedal drag on turns, but ideally the pedals should be level when making cuts. Perhaps my time on mountain bikes is showing some reward 👍🏼. I haven’t tried any panniers. Don’t even own any. I’m somewhat of a minimalist when it comes to strapping things a bike. Usually if it doesn’t fit into a backpack or on a front rack I don’t take it.
Great review on a forward looking bike. At 31.8 lbs. it's on the heavy side. My 23" frame, Trek Fuel EX8 29R (full sus) is about the same weight. I totally agree on the twist versus trigger shifter. This would be an interesting conversion project to an e-bike, or, it'd be cool to see if Priority makes a pedal assist with that gearbox.
Dynamo hub and the associated parts and lighting add to the weight. Also don’t forget that the Pinion gearbox is full of metal gears. It’s a literal transmission. The gearing more than compensated for weight, IMO. Thanks for commenting. I love those Fuel EX8s.
Yes, 31.8 pounds is a little on the heavy side but the heavier bike frames tend to absorb bumps better and are definitely more comfortable to ride long distances even though they aren't very fast. It all depends on what you want, a light and fast bicycle that feels every bump. Or, a heavier and slower bicycle that's more comfortable. I've had both.
Agreed. This isn’t a speed demon by any stretch, but it can move decently well. I love light and zippy, but for daily commuting I’m always happy with a smoother ride. At the end of a long day I can tell the difference in riding a light bike that beats me up vs something that takes most of the impact. That’s one of the reasons I don’t ride the Redux often. That and it makes me want to bomb down steps at every opportunity 😎
I know you love reviewing them Wal-Mart bikes. But you have a Pinion gear hub in your possession and viewers are intrigued about its drive train, light touring capability, handling, etc. It would be refreshing to see some videos on your one high end bike.
I’ve have a set of dt swiss hubs that have a loud freewill like that. You could use the freewill like a bell to let people know you were coming. Not good if you wanted to talk to your mates on a ride though.
KevCentral haha I could see that. Supposedly it’s to make it engage faster when you start pedaling again. It has more pawls. Downside it wears out faster and is loud.
If possible I would suggest to change the rear freewheel hub by a fixed one, as there is already one freewheel integrated in the gearbox. Saves you some extra grams. Also the front dynamo hub is very lousy. I donnot know whether you're into wheelbuilding, but if so, change the dynamo by a shutter precision px-8. The bike will run much smoother and you can enjoy using your supernova light system without any feel of resistance by the dynamo.
This review is excellent. Thank you for doing a sterling job on this! So many bicycle reviews are awful - missing key features, not including footage of the bike in use, unsubstantiated opinions. In contrast your review is informative, clear and with great visuals (I particularly like the low angle you open the video with)!
Hmmm. Great look at this bike in particular, but we're missing a lot of the context and comparison you often have for the Big-Box-Budget-Bikes. What else is out there in the 2k luxury commuter segment?
Great review. I love this bike...but... I agree, get rid of that noisy rear hub...just terrible. Yes to the trigger shifter. I would add only one thing...a USB charging port since you already have the hub. I would buy 2 right now with those changes. As a bicycle tourer, I also question the tire size. 650 is more expensive, has fewer choices, and are much harder to find out there on the open road.
was wondering when that sort of gear system would be used again, I bought a vintage CCM in the past and it came with the old version of this design. pretty neat the bikes very snazzy looking too!
Thx for the great review. I agree the twist shifters would be a total nuisance in the hot summertime. I suppose you could get used to it but I think that was a major oversight. Maybe trigger shifters do not work with that particular system? And I am a huge light snob . I own 22 LED lights at this point. Unfortunately for me those are too big enough strikes to equal 3 .
KevCentral - Exactly, if they sent u this bike to review surly they are listening. I think in the future we will see such a bike. Love this concept. And this channel. I’ve learned allot and even bought the Redux 3 which is my daily commute bike .
OMG that rear hub. It's really the only complaint I have for my Continuum Onyx - of all things. I've managed to silence my after market front and back racks, the panniers that hang from them and the locks that secure them to the rack which was no easy task. But that darn rear wheel free hub. Coasting at higher speeds is loud and obnoxious to say the least, but a slow hike-a-bike up some of Colorado's front range hills can be torture listening to the slow and rythmic click-click-click. I found a 600 frame online - long story - now I'm trying to build it from the ground up. First - I gotta find a used Pinion gear box. Got one laying around? LOL Yeah I know - good luck. BTW - your video captures the only clear view of the 600s non-drive side and rear disc brake assembly/frame adapter which is a view I've needed to see to determine how to rebuild this frame. Thanks.
This is why i like your channel. Throwing in this review on a bad azz looking bike i might add, instead of the usual walmart bike review. That bike would be a perfect commuter for ne. Im not diggin the $2200 price tag though.
That looks pretty good! I like the belt drive and dynamo features, they seems like great things to have on a all weather, commuter type bike. The price sounds high, but I'd imagine that gearbox alone is quite expensive. Though, for $2,200, I'd like to see Shimano brakes rather than Tektro.
Also with the pinion gearbox it is not currently available with a trigger shift. I have heard that they may possibly have an electronic system that can shift under power in the works.
I am looking for a world touring bicycle with a pinion gear box & carbon belt drive and I am pretty much sold on the Priority 600. Yes it is pricey, but a lot less than the $7,000 you’d pay for a pinion bike from CoMotion! The only thing I wish it had were 29er wheels. Not only because I’m a tall rider, but it’s what I’m used to riding 29er/700c bikes my whole life. From what I understand, 650b tires are not that common overseas, which could be a problem on a world tour.
Love the driveline on this. Still like you I would want a trigger shifter as well as I detest the twist types. The only other thing I don't like as it looks a bit strange is the lower welds on the lower part of the headpost frame.
@@KevCentral I guess I'll be satisfied with my Ancheer 500 watt. With the KT controller and display I added, it's the ebike it should have been. 750 watts for hills, smooth PAS, at a cost of about $800. They should sell it that way. They would dominate the low end market.
As a bike for a commuter this looks perfect. I imagine that due to the nice design and quality components it will last well. You will save money on maintaince not to mention hastle compared to cheaper bikes and the cost per trip will be so much cheaper than other modes of transport over say 5 years. I would be very tempted by something like this as an urban commuter.
It's 17.7% between gears for the Pinion c1.12, the Rohloff is 13.6% and the Pinion P1.18 is 11.5%. Some riders have said that the P1.18's gearing is a little too close together. Unfortunately Pinion is fond of listing Gain Ratios for the C line, so there is no easy way to tell a given C Lines range for comparison. Rohloff gives us nice clean ratios (0.279 to 1.467), if the ratios are the same in the C1.12 as the P1.12 then it goes ranges from 0.3 to 1.82. To put that low end in perspective, that's the same as having a 20T chain ring and a 60T rear cog. So ya, it has much low end grunt. >grunt, grunt< :-D
Any ETA on the comparison to Continuum Onyx review? When you do review please make sure to weigh both bikes. Curious how much lighter Onyx is. Regarding shifting, what happens when you try shifting while pedaling? Just resistance and no shift or is there some sort of lockout? Thanks.
I enjoy your videos. I am taking my time to explore my next bike options. I'm doing a lot of research and looking into both electric & non-electric bikes... The idea of the Pinion transmission really intrigues me and I think I'd definitely prefer a belt drive on my next bike. I'll actually be replacing a "Wally World" 21-speed bike that I bought years ago for about $100.....LOL.
..since you're ridden both, what are you thought about the gearing comparison on the Continuum onyx vs the Priority 600 with the Pinion gearbox on hills? I really like the Onyx but wonder if there is a real advantage on hills for the 600 as I have a lot of hills in my hood? Thanks.
And? How much is the car costing you in maintenance, gas, insurance, parking fees, etc.? I'm not advocating people replace their cars with bikes. I am saying that there is more to the cost of things then just the up front sticker. I also always bought my cars used, typically spending between $2,500-$3,500, all soon needed tires, brakes and other regular maintenance components that added an additional $1,000-$1,500 to their total price.
So from pennies in my piggy bank and quarters under my couch cushions I ordered the 600 5 days ago....per Fedex it's on the truck to be delivered today....Yahoo!!!
As a guy who uses his bike mostly for commuting and other utility stuff, the hub dynamo and LED lights are one of the favourite features of my current bike. You don't have to think about remembering to bring the lights along and they have also proven quite reliable after more than two years of use.
Yep. I have a Classic Plus with battery powered lights that strap on with a silicone strap and hook. Super reliable and very bright, and the lithium batteries last quite a while before needing a charge.
The problem, of course, is that someone can steal them, since they're meant to be easily taken on and off without tools for charging the battery. My wheels and seat at least require a specific size hex bit to remove, so a thief would move on to the bike parked next to me which has quick releases.
The Gates belt drive is bullet proof! I own a 92 Harley davidson with the original Gates belt drive, at 89,000 miles on the odometer I never had any issues..
The fact they sent it to you is epic and an achievement bro...congratulations on another great review that bike is a beauty
Thanks for the thorough review. Both the 600 and 600X are incredible values compared to other brands with the pinion gear box. I chose the 600 as my first conventional bike for my riding.
2200 doesn't seem bad for what you get, I may have to look into purchasing one.
I occasionally ride my Specialized Hardrock to work and the 600 looks to be a perfect fit.
Thank you for posting the review.
Bought one myself and am very happy with it. It definitely feels like a 2000 dollar bike so you get your money's worth. You mentioned rain and water obstacles but up here in Wisconsin I plow through snow with those big ass tires and aside from a rinse off to keep the salt away that gear box requires no maintenance when I cover that thing in ice.
It would be nice if they would offer a basic version of the priority 600. One without lights, fenders and a dynamo. If i could get it for around 1800, I’d probably get one. They look like nice rigs.
Great review Kevin!!
Though way out of my price range, it's a sweet bike. Your videos are great and informative. Thanks and I look forward to the next video.
That opening shot of the bottom bracket area is absolutely brilliant.
Thanks! 👍🏼
The videos are getting better and better! Nice🚲
Interesting... a bicycle with a car gearbox. In the future cyclist will have to take their bike in for transmission servicing. This video reminds me of the 2012 Jamis Commuter 4 with the NuVinci 360 variable speed rear hub. Very reliable bike. Mine still running today. It weighed 31pounds and cost about $850 USD. I never had to service the hub.
Great bike. I love the all black. The gearing system is very new. For $2,200; i would want to know a local bike shop would be able to service it. I think the brilliant L train maybe there best bang for the buck bike. I wish it was offered in black. That would be an interesting look.
Thanks!
Just got my P600 as an upgrade to my 2009 Giant Seek 1 with the Alfine 8. Great low end for the hills around Charlottesville VA. Love the dymo and lights-Always on!! Price is up to 2499 but still much cheaper than a spandex only bike. It is now specked with Goodyear County 650Bx50mm tires with small knobs on the sides for gravel. Needed some slight fender adjustment but excellent ride! I ordered the medium 19” because I like a larger frame for my 5’7”-29”inseam. It is perfect! The measurements match my medium Seek but with longer a wheelbase. Wish I had this back in ‘77 when I rode from Cleveland to Portland ME with my Schwinn Voyager II 21” 10 Spd Dura-Ace in two weeks. That is right, I am in my late 60’s🤘🤘. Been riding since I was 5! I could not stand over my Schwinn either-who cares? I still have both nutz🤪🤪. Thanks for the review!! Looking forward to RailTrails and the Great Allegheny Passage and Greenbrier Trail in WVA.
Kev, I’ve had the 600 since it came out and I am addicted to it. I noticed that the shifting gets looser as time goes by except the transition between 8th and 9th gear, which does require a slight pause in pedaling. I hated the twist shifter at first, but now I’m finding it great to transition between several gears at once; it’s simply an amazing feeling. Oh, those 650b tires are a dream.
Thanks for the great review!
Great news, thanks. How many miles have you put on yours?
KevCentral , I’ve put about 270 miles on my 600. I wish I had more time to put a lot more.
I didn’t install a bike computer on this one, but I’d guess I’m close, if not over that mileage with this one. It’s holding up great!
I meant that the shifting has become smoother after a while. I noticed that it’s easier to twist the twist shifter and the transition between gears is smoother and quicker than when the bike was new.
I suspect in my case that mine is smoother simply because I’m more efficient with how it shifts now that I’ve ridden it for a while.
After 2 weeks of riding the 600, these are my pros and cons :
Pros : Pinion gearbox. It is really perfect. It is quite when you pedalling and so noisy when not, but this noise is like a trademark. I just love it and you do not need horn, almost.
2. Carbon belt is smooth and it's doing really good job.
3. It is very elegant looking and classy. I personally love it's design. It stands among others.
4. Tyres are good looking and wide.
5. This bike is really fast when you hit 12 speed with full power. It is really going fast like you are on road bike....It is going better uphill in compare to Scott 20 Men Sport for example.
Cons : I have not found 1 real good reason why you should not have this bike for $2,300 but there are few minor things I don't like about it.
1. I found that pedals ( and frame ) are too low to the ground and I don't feel comfortable turning fast and leaning.
2. I keep hitting front fender when pedalling and turning left. I am now getting used to avoid it so it does not happen too often.
3. I don't like the grips ( melting when hot ) and seat. I changed grips for ergo leathers which are perfect in stealth black and I ordered brooks B17.
Overall I really like this bike. Personally I think this is in top 5 best looking retro-stylish-city bikes and pinion gives it great functionality.
It's not the gearbox making the noise - it's the rear hub. Just replace it with a quite one if it bothers you. though for that money one hopes they would have put a quiter one, but the noise may not have been their consideration.
I going to get those leather ego grips, I too hate the rubber/plastic grips...
Keep up the quality uploads!
Mother--humper! I agree about the grip shift. Yet, I love dedicated lights and dynamo hubs. I am so over recharging batteries for rides. The folks across the pond got that part right.
I am a new subscriber, and this was the video that led me here. I was interested in the Priority 600X. I was hoping at some point you might review it, I have watched some reviews on it but I have come to trust your unbiased approach. When I became interested in this bike I didn’t know the price (3500) and while I could purchase it, I didn’t see the value. If the pinion ever becomes massed produced or an equivalent product becomes more affordable it would be nice to eliminate the chain and derailleur. You have a great channel!
I have to credit this review. I have been looking for the perfect commuter bike and I couldn’t have made my choice without this video. Super excited to pick this baby up! Thanks for a great video review!
I'm loving it! I'm not a terribly strong rider myself, so the fact that at the high end the gear ratio doesn't compete with good road bikes doesn't bother me. I really appreciate the good low end, mainly for hills I might encounter at the end of long rides when I'm tired and in danger of cramping up. At first I wasn't enjoying the seat and my first few rides left my rear feeling a bit sore. That's probably because my old bike (given to me by my dad when he decided he was too old to ride) has a big, fat and really squishy seat. It seems I've toughened up a bit, though, as the only thing that's been sore after two long rides I've done (well, long for me) are my quads.
I was looking for a derailleur and got tired of just too many suggestions - a gravel bike? an adventurer? a touring? bikepacking? 1x; 2x; triple; compact, subcompact, wolftooth and so on an on. I will get the pinion and just enjoy the ride.
5 years warranty on the gearbox; 10,000 km oil change ($15); 600% range; no maintenance; tourers doing 100,000 km issue free riding. I am getting one.
Kev, if you could test it on a slight steep it would be very helpful to those of us who want to take it bikepacking.
Super, and congrats on the decision. If you watch the sped up time lapse of me pedaling uphill in the video. That’s a roughly 30 degree slope.
Have you got it ?
Another GREAT Review - Would also like to see the option to not have the generator HUB and lights - I do have my own lights. Overall, really like the bike - not put off by the price tag. I think it's a fair price for such a high quality bike. My current commuter is going on 5 years old, so in the market. At $2,200 and I keep this one 5 years, that's approximately $1.20 a day (one less Coffee a day, don't forget Credit Card rewards, a few extra bucks back). The Priority 600 is one of the three bikes under consideration. They have a real winner here, well thought out commuter. Looks great too.
Love your channel, I was doing research on elec bike and ran across your channel, you go over everything. Thanks for all the info. I will be buying this bike.
That gearbox is interesting. I'd like to give one a try just for the experience. Great looking bike.
Are you close to north Alabama? You’re welcome to give this one a ride.
Sadly I'm not. I'm in Central Fl. Thanks for the offer though.
I've put about 1500 on mine since January. His point about offering it without the dynamo and lights is right on.
It's a very draggy dynamo and the rear light isn't anywhere near bright enough. The front is nice as a safety light but not
Bright enough for night riding. I wind up clicking the power off for a smoother roll. Other people who have to take the front
Wheel off for transport complain about what a pain it is to disconnect / reconnect the tiny hub wire plug. That's true
It's a low end dynamo. Better to shave a few hundred from the price without it
Incredible review. Your getting into ebike territory at that price but if you have ever been stationed in Europe then you understand quality street bikes are pricey as well. For American taste its kind of hard to swallow that price unless you are a serious bike commuter and even then walmart has a sweet deal on a pretty advanced ebike thats bullet proof.
That F-4 is awesome!
👍🏼
I was waiting for this video, awesome!!!
Much thanks, you make the ideal candidate for the Pollini Ep3 review.
Another great video! Keep them coming!
Did you ever do the direct comparison Priority 600 and Continuum??? Couldn't find anything and I'm trying to decide between the two... I'd love the 600, but that's a lot of jingle..Did you end up keeping the 600?? thanks for the videos
Dang you! I was only curious in these, now I want one!
Yessssss!! Finally!! Thanks for the review Kev. 😁 Probably the only changes i would make is swapping out to wtb byway & jones h-loop bar.
I like sturmey archer drum brakes. They make dyno hub too..
My XL-FDD 90 mm has 25,000 fabulous miles.
You can tone down the clicking of the hub by adding grease. I've the same bike. Two 5mm allens and a small whack with a plastic mallet will open the hub. The clicking is due to the high number of points of engagement, which are nice to have. Smear in some extra grease to calm things down. You won't eliminate the noise, but you can reduce it a lot.
Jonathan Gennick you also wear out your hub much faster as the pawls can’t engage properly due to the extra drag from the grease
I have not experienced any problems yet, and will just have to see what happens over time.
I saw where Chris King said he was going to use this same solution from the factory to silence his hubs but customer feedback was so positive for the sound that they just left em LOUD. LOL
Another great video. I’m not sure I’d drop 2k, but if I did I’d want a quiet bike. I’ve been spoiled by the Gotham (except for 3rd gear). Between your channel and learning about Priority I have a new found love of riding!
First camera angle is especially cool, great video as always.
I upgraded my priority dynamo light to a B&M IQ-X with B&M taillight, much better lighting. Dynamo tail lights are the way to go for city riding. I understand if you live in bike unfriendly city why you might want super bright blinking lights, despite them being annoying and distracting to other bikes and drivers.
Hello Mike:
Could you share your experience with the bike? Are you hearing any gear missing a tooth like experienced by some (wloesem)? Is the frame sturdy enough for light touring?
i just have the onyx with the nuvinche hub.not really anything to complain about. its a bit heavy for touring, i only use the nuvinche bc i commute in snow. if i were in a warmer climate i'd go with a standard deraileur.
Oh! Please for give. I really enjoy your channel. Your views on bikes are very the point of view of a person that doesn't race. Doesn't sell bikes. It's the view point of a person just likes/loves bicycles. May i suggest testing a Felt speed. Also, a Gaezelle tour popular8? The felt is an interesting bike that compared to trek fx. Gaezelle? It's a uility bike made in Holland. You ride one you'll love it! Not fast. But, very very comfortable. I did 66 miles in 7 hours on it. Sorry. I enjoy biking for the fact it's not expensive. You're not adding to traffic problems. Or, adding a cloud of greenhouse gasses.
At last, a drive train that's I the centre of the bike - ! Much as I love my Sturmey 5 speed, it does put the weight bias at the back of the bike.
thats a super sweet looking bike! i wish i could commute.
Actually i want more of the transmission bikes, i think this is the bike future. almost no maintenance, very durable, and easy to understand. i hope i will find something like this bike like XC bike. Btw nice bike review :D
Hey Kev - great review. I'm drooling and counting my change. I agree on the color, but vote for a shimmering dark sand.
Man that looks like a great bike. Thanks fur the review.
Hey Kev I know you said that you don’t like the grip shifter, but on gearbox bikes they all have grip shifters. As far as I know, there aren’t any trigger shifters available for gearbox bikes yet.
Just a FYI. The Effigear gearbox has had trigger shift since 2015.
Attn: Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders. I just bought this bike in Canada about a month ago and by the time I was done paying the exchange rate, duties and taxes this bike was almost $4000 Canadian, which is close to what you would pay in Australia or New Zealand. It is a nice bike but I just want you to have all the facts. I was kind of shocked when I was done paying all the fees, it came to about $800 more than I thought I was going to pay for it. Here is hoping the pinion belt drive lasts me for the next 10-15 years, I am expecting BIG things from this bike considering the premium I paid for it here in Canada.
I can’t imagine having to pay such expensive import duties. Crazy
as a geezer, i appreciate a good lighting system
This footage should be used for a preview of the bike on priorities website
As an industrial mechanic I can really appreciate the Gates belt drive. I use, or rather replace, them regularly at work.
I also noticed the drive sprocket has a centered rib to keep the belt from wandering. The sheaves I usually work with are flanged to keep the belt on the sheave. A similar principle but the sprocket's geometry would prevent accumulation of debris. It's a thoughtful design.
Loud hub is a good hub. 600 is a great bike
Thanks for the awesome/candid review. Are you still planning on producing/publishing a direct comparison b/t the Continuum Onyx and the 600?
That is a sweet bike.. I came across it by looking at ebikes.. Specifically, the Priority Current..
Great video and nice bike....but love how you snuck the Motobecane in the back ground can't wait to see that as well...you keep us wanting more!
It’s just parts. Not a bike
$2.200 would be little more than cost of the Pinion gearbox. You do not have to stop pedaling to shift. A dynamo powered light has some advantages because you do not have think about bringing a light, and the light is secured to the bike - always there when needed without thinking whether the batteries are good.
Thank you for the review.
I have been looking into internal gear hub for a while. I almost bought the pinion touring bicycle from VSF (Germany) but they would not ship to NA. I have looked into VSF, Tout Terrain, Koga, Van Nichols, Idworx, santos, stevens etc. The cheapest bike fitted with pinion C1.12 is from VSF which cost US $3200! The cost of only the fame and pinion C1.12 is $3580 and $6400 for P1.18 at Co-Motion bicycles. Hence, a pinion C1.12 with Gates carbon drive for $2200 is terrific.
The gear change in Pinion p1.18 is 11% compared to 13% in Rohloff and 17% in Pinion c1.12. Did you find the gear change in C1.12 abrupt? C1.12 is mostly used in mountain bikes. Do you think the gear ratio/change will work well for bike touring and bikepacking (multi-day)?
The pedal at its vertical seems about only a few inches above the ground. Did the pedals scrape the ground in the woods while making any angle turns? I watched the video about the person who was not able to fit a pannier in this bike. The fork has only one eyelet. Have you tried fitting a pannier? Word is around the thumb shifter is on the way. Any confirmation from Pinion? Subbed :)
Thanks for the sub. I’ve found the gear range to be near perfect for my riding. I haven’t had any issues with pedal drag on turns, but ideally the pedals should be level when making cuts. Perhaps my time on mountain bikes is showing some reward 👍🏼. I haven’t tried any panniers. Don’t even own any. I’m somewhat of a minimalist when it comes to strapping things a bike. Usually if it doesn’t fit into a backpack or on a front rack I don’t take it.
Did you ever compare the 600 to the Onyx?
Great review on a forward looking bike. At 31.8 lbs. it's on the heavy side. My 23" frame, Trek Fuel EX8 29R (full sus) is about the same weight. I totally agree on the twist versus trigger shifter. This would be an interesting conversion project to an e-bike, or, it'd be cool to see if Priority makes a pedal assist with that gearbox.
Dynamo hub and the associated parts and lighting add to the weight. Also don’t forget that the Pinion gearbox is full of metal gears. It’s a literal transmission. The gearing more than compensated for weight, IMO. Thanks for commenting. I love those Fuel EX8s.
Yes, 31.8 pounds is a little on the heavy side but the heavier bike frames tend to absorb bumps better and are definitely more comfortable to ride long distances even though they aren't very fast. It all depends on what you want, a light and fast bicycle that feels every bump. Or, a heavier and slower bicycle that's more comfortable. I've had both.
Agreed. This isn’t a speed demon by any stretch, but it can move decently well. I love light and zippy, but for daily commuting I’m always happy with a smoother ride. At the end of a long day I can tell the difference in riding a light bike that beats me up vs something that takes most of the impact. That’s one of the reasons I don’t ride the Redux often. That and it makes me want to bomb down steps at every opportunity 😎
I'm proud to be the 200th like! Great job on this video, Kev!
This is the best bike ive seen
I know you love reviewing them Wal-Mart bikes. But you have a Pinion gear hub in your possession and viewers are intrigued about its drive train, light touring capability, handling, etc. It would be refreshing to see some videos on your one high end bike.
Cool bike! Nice vid man. Keep it up!
Nice video, lots of great information as always! Thanks for this!
I’ve have a set of dt swiss hubs that have a loud freewill like that. You could use the freewill like a bell to let people know you were coming. Not good if you wanted to talk to your mates on a ride though.
It won’t be long before some hubs have a warning sticker about hearing loss.
KevCentral haha I could see that. Supposedly it’s to make it engage faster when you start pedaling again. It has more pawls. Downside it wears out faster and is loud.
A short travel suspension fork (50 - 60mm) and a suspension seat post would make this the most perfect all rounder money could buy.
Look at the 600X
Thats a nice bike. Wow. Hopefully when i move closer to work ill look into splurging.
Sharp bike, well composed video.
Kona Dew series is worth checking for those who cannot afford this top tier bike.
If possible I would suggest to change the rear freewheel hub by a fixed one, as there is already one freewheel integrated in the gearbox. Saves you some extra grams. Also the front dynamo hub is very lousy. I donnot know whether you're into wheelbuilding, but if so, change the dynamo by a shutter precision px-8. The bike will run much smoother and you can enjoy using your supernova light system without any feel of resistance by the dynamo.
This review is excellent. Thank you for doing a sterling job on this! So many bicycle reviews are awful - missing key features, not including footage of the bike in use, unsubstantiated opinions. In contrast your review is informative, clear and with great visuals (I particularly like the low angle you open the video with)!
Hmmm. Great look at this bike in particular, but we're missing a lot of the context and comparison you often have for the Big-Box-Budget-Bikes. What else is out there in the 2k luxury commuter segment?
I don’t know of another bike that directly compares. It’s easy to compare big box bikes because many of them are similar. Thanks for the comment.
Not much out there with Pinion! The trouble for me is that 2k starts to be E-Bike money.
I was wondering this as well... Meaning, how big was the delta between the big box bikes and this beauty? Love the bike but that price!
That is a nice vid man keep up the good work!!!
It's a beautiful bike. Thank you for the great video.
Great review. Disagree about the color and lights tho. Those are both big pluses for me!
Great review. I love this bike...but... I agree, get rid of that noisy rear hub...just terrible. Yes to the trigger shifter. I would add only one thing...a USB charging port since you already have the hub. I would buy 2 right now with those changes. As a bicycle tourer, I also question the tire size. 650 is more expensive, has fewer choices, and are much harder to find out there on the open road.
was wondering when that sort of gear system would be used again, I bought a vintage CCM in the past and it came with the old version of this design. pretty neat the bikes very snazzy looking too!
In my opinion, all commuter bikes should have dynamo lights. Would you like to have to take the lights of and on you're car just to charge them ?
Thx for the great review. I agree the twist shifters would be a total nuisance in the hot summertime. I suppose you could get used to it but I think that was a major oversight. Maybe trigger shifters do not work with that particular system? And I am a huge light snob . I own 22 LED lights at this point. Unfortunately for me those are too big enough strikes to equal 3 .
I would really like to see this bike also offered in a barebones model. Sans fenders, lights, and the Dynamo hub.
KevCentral - Exactly, if they sent u this bike to review surly they are listening. I think in the future we will see such a bike. Love this concept. And this channel. I’ve learned allot and even bought the Redux 3 which is my daily commute bike .
OMG that rear hub. It's really the only complaint I have for my Continuum Onyx - of all things. I've managed to silence my after market front and back racks, the panniers that hang from them and the locks that secure them to the rack which was no easy task. But that darn rear wheel free hub. Coasting at higher speeds is loud and obnoxious to say the least, but a slow hike-a-bike up some of Colorado's front range hills can be torture listening to the slow and rythmic click-click-click. I found a 600 frame online - long story - now I'm trying to build it from the ground up. First - I gotta find a used Pinion gear box. Got one laying around? LOL Yeah I know - good luck.
BTW - your video captures the only clear view of the 600s non-drive side and rear disc brake assembly/frame adapter which is a view I've needed to see to determine how to rebuild this frame. Thanks.
How's the 600 build project going?
Thanks for the vids.
Wondering if there’s any review on split belt, for aftermarket belt conversion for normal frame?
This is why i like your channel. Throwing in this review on a bad azz looking bike i might add, instead of the usual walmart bike review. That bike would be a perfect commuter for ne. Im not diggin the $2200 price tag though.
I would guess that you have to stop pedaling to shift, because like in a car, the clutch works the same way. Interesting gearbox system.
100% accurate.
How is that better? It sounds very inconsistent to me.
I would buy it.. but not on sale in the uk.
You should check out their new 600X. It's very similar but with a Wren inverted suspension fork. Priority has grown on me and have an awesome line.
That looks pretty good! I like the belt drive and dynamo features, they seems like great things to have on a all weather, commuter type bike. The price sounds high, but I'd imagine that gearbox alone is quite expensive. Though, for $2,200, I'd like to see Shimano brakes rather than Tektro.
Also with the pinion gearbox it is not currently available with a trigger shift. I have heard that they may possibly have an electronic system that can shift under power in the works.
Maybe Priority can use the Dynamo hub to power an electric shifter
@@KevCentral possible but I think pinion would have to bring it to market which from what I heard it's not a main focus
I am looking for a world touring bicycle with a pinion gear box & carbon belt drive and I am pretty much sold on the Priority 600. Yes it is pricey, but a lot less than the $7,000 you’d pay for a pinion bike from CoMotion! The only thing I wish it had were 29er wheels. Not only because I’m a tall rider, but it’s what I’m used to riding 29er/700c bikes my whole life. From what I understand, 650b tires are not that common overseas, which could be a problem on a world tour.
Love the driveline on this. Still like you I would want a trigger shifter as well as I detest the twist types. The only other thing I don't like as it looks a bit strange is the lower welds on the lower part of the headpost frame.
Thanks. In person the welds look fine. I think the glossy black paint makes them looked a bit blotchy on video.
That setup would also make a great ebike. For the affluent.
Priority has an eBike too!
@@KevCentral I guess I'll be satisfied with my Ancheer 500 watt.
With the KT controller and display I added, it's the ebike it should have been. 750 watts for hills, smooth PAS, at a cost of about $800. They should sell it that way. They would dominate the low end market.
As a bike for a commuter this looks perfect. I imagine that due to the nice design and quality components it will last well. You will save money on maintaince not to mention hastle compared to cheaper bikes and the cost per trip will be so much cheaper than other modes of transport over say 5 years. I would be very tempted by something like this as an urban commuter.
Doesn't sound too bad compared to 14-speed Rohloff hub. Gearing gaps must be fairly wide, though.
The gearing seems to be tilted to having more lower options than higher.
It's 17.7% between gears for the Pinion c1.12, the Rohloff is 13.6% and the Pinion P1.18 is 11.5%. Some riders have said that the P1.18's gearing is a little too close together.
Unfortunately Pinion is fond of listing Gain Ratios for the C line, so there is no easy way to tell a given C Lines range for comparison. Rohloff gives us nice clean ratios (0.279 to 1.467), if the ratios are the same in the C1.12 as the P1.12 then it goes ranges from 0.3 to 1.82. To put that low end in perspective, that's the same as having a 20T chain ring and a 60T rear cog. So ya, it has much low end grunt. >grunt, grunt< :-D
Any ETA on the comparison to Continuum Onyx review? When you do review please make sure to weigh both bikes. Curious how much lighter Onyx is. Regarding shifting, what happens when you try shifting while pedaling? Just resistance and no shift or is there some sort of lockout? Thanks.
I enjoy your videos. I am taking my time to explore my next bike options. I'm doing a lot of research and looking into both electric & non-electric bikes...
The idea of the Pinion transmission really intrigues me and I think I'd definitely prefer a belt drive on my next bike.
I'll actually be replacing a "Wally World" 21-speed bike that I bought years ago for about $100.....LOL.
..since you're ridden both, what are you thought about the gearing comparison on the Continuum onyx vs the Priority 600 with the Pinion gearbox on hills? I really like the Onyx but wonder if there is a real advantage on hills for the 600 as I have a lot of hills in my hood? Thanks.
The 600 is noticeably easier for hill climbs.
This looks like a sweet bike! Lemme see how much it co-
$ 2 2 0 0 ? ?
My wallet will now implode into a black hole.
It will have good company in the black hole. My wallet has been there for a while now.
The Pinion adds about $1,000 to $1,200 (depending on model) to any bike it's on. $2,200 is middle of the road for a Pinion bike.
I paid $2000 for my car a year ago..lol
And?
How much is the car costing you in maintenance, gas, insurance, parking fees, etc.?
I'm not advocating people replace their cars with bikes. I am saying that there is more to the cost of things then just the up front sticker.
I also always bought my cars used, typically spending between $2,500-$3,500, all soon needed tires, brakes and other regular maintenance components that added an additional $1,000-$1,500 to their total price.
I drive my car without tires or brakes. I'm having a little hard time figuring out why these costs matter.
Looks great. I freakin love it
No rear drum brake? That's something you see on a lot of Dutch bikes. Works in all weather conditions, needs little in the way adjustment.
It can handle some light touring?
I can’t see a reason it couldn’t
@@KevCentral do you know the weight limit?
Which is better for commuting the 600 vs 600x
What about the drag from the always on dynamo? It must have some drag even out of circuit.
There is a small bit of drag. The gearing easily compensates, but that’s one of the reasons I’d prefer to have the option of non-dynamo version.