Although the official start of series production is planned for 2012, the two engineers Christoph Lermen and Michael Schmitz have already made a lot of waves with the prototype of their 18-speed gearbox. Unlike the SRAM "Hammerschmidt", for example, the "P-1" is not based on a planetary gearbox, but works with a spur gear. The combination of a three- and six-speed gearbox manages without overlaps and is housed in a compact casing. In addition to advantages such as reduced susceptibility to defects due to the lack of rear derailleur and front derailleur or chain jamming, the gear system is also more resistant to dirt, offers more ground clearance and can be shifted under full load. With a weight of 2.7 kilograms, "P-1" is not a lightweight, but in contrast to the only slightly lighter Rohloff rear hub, the weight sits centrally in the middle of the bike. On the one hand, this results in better handling, on the other hand, the cassette is missing, which makes the rear wheel very light and results in less unsprung mass. initial tests during a Himalayan crossing last summer have proven that "P-1" works perfectly.

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