Transmission bikes always cause a stir, regardless of whether they come from Nicolai, Honda or Brooklyn Machine Works: They "only" adapt a technology to the bike that has long been the norm for motorcycles. Or have you ever seen a motocross derailleur? Exactly.

The integration of the gears into the frame makes it possible to combine several advantages: The drivetrain is almost maintenance-free, the chain can be ridden bombproof and the unsprung mass is reduced, which ensures a sensitive response. In addition, the chain can be placed perfectly through the pivot point of the rear swing arm to eliminate drive influences, and the weight of the rotating masses is also reduced: a noticeable advantage when accelerating.

Small quantities and high production costs have so far ensured that geared bikes such as those from Nicolai and Brooklyn Machine Works have remained expensive exotics or prototypes, as in the case of GT. The website that has now been launched is intended to change this: If a standardization of the installation dimensions for the transmission units ? often the Speedhub from Rohloff with its 14 gears is used ? succeeds, the production costs per frame should fall. It will also make it more tempting for other manufacturers to venture into the construction of a geared bike.