Classified Powershift Hub: first ride review

Could a two-speed hub solve the issues of both 1x and 2x drivetrains?

Classified
(Image credit: Future)
Cycling Weekly Verdict

Classified’s Powershift Hub offers a great improvement over a 2x system, able to shift so much faster and under much greater loads than is possible with a set of chainrings. In terms of weight and drivetrain efficiency, there isn’t a detectable penalty – in certain configurations, the system can even work out as better in these areas. The high price does make the hub hard to recommend as an upgrade – for €2,399, you could buy a whole lot of accessories, some really fancy wheels or even a brand new bike. But if money were no object and if given the choice, I would choose the Powershift Hub over a traditional 2x setup.

Reasons to buy
  • +

    Super-fast gear change

  • +

    Will shift under heavy load

  • +

    Can treat it like a 1x drivetrain

  • +

Reasons to avoid
  • -

    Expensive

You can trust Cycling Weekly. Our team of experts put in hard miles testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

Classified’s Powershift rear hub is a pretty innovative attempt at solving the drawbacks which come from 1x and 2x drivetrains – hopefully providing a setup which is the best of both worlds. 

Its design earnt the brand a Eurobike Gold Award at this year's show in Frankfurt, after being evaluated by an independent panel of expert judges.

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Stefan Abram
Tech features editor

After winning the 2019 National Single-Speed Cross-Country Mountain Biking Championships and claiming the plushie unicorn (true story), Stefan swapped the flat-bars for drop-bars and has never looked back. 

Since then, he’s earnt his 2ⁿᵈ cat racing licence in his first season racing as a third, completed the South Downs Double in under 20 hours and Everested in under 12.

But his favourite rides are multiday bikepacking trips, with all the huge amount of cycling tech and long days spent exploring new roads and trails - as well as histories and cultures. Most recently, he’s spent two weeks riding from Budapest into the mountains of Slovakia

Height: 177cm

Weight: 67–69kg