Electric mountain bike technology is developing fast. Brands such as Avinox are working on gearbox-equipped motors that could see the next generation of electric mountain bikes go without chains and derailleurs in favour of internal gears and belt drives.I can see the benefits when it comes to mountain bikes. These systems remove fragile derailleurs from the equation not to mention chains, chainrings and cassettes, which are constantly bathed in grit and filth.Exposing such an integral part of your bike to the elements and muck isnt the smartest idea. But drivetrains with derailleurs, chains and cassettes have been around for nearly 100 years. The Simplex from 1928 and Campagnolos Cambio Corsa from 1933 show the basic template we still use today.But the developments in electric mountain bike tech have me wondering, could we see internal gearboxes on the road?10,000 miles and no lubrication Avinox's MG Concept contains a motor and CVT gearbox in one unit. Nick Clark / Our Media My own commuter bike combines a Gates belt drive and Shimano Di2 hub gear. Its heavy, a bit dim when on auto and it can have delays in shifts requiring a half back-pedal to settle. However, even with those downsides, I wouldnt change it.My belt drive has covered more than 10,000 miles, and in that time, I havent had to do a thing; no lubrication, no adjustments and zero maintenance beyond cleaning it.So, while its not nearly whats required for the highest level of performance, I feel something developed from this utilitarian basis could transform road bikes. My Sven Cycles Swift with a Gates belt drive: 10,000 miles and almost zero maintenance. Russell Burton / Immediate Media Its not that there are no drivetrain innovations out there. The Classified 2-speed rear hub, Pinion gearboxes, 1x drivetrains and even Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) systems such as the Enviolo seen on Canyons futuristic commuter the Precede:ON could all point to the future of road bikes. Classified's 2-speed hub means 1x drievtrains with 2x gear numbers. I got excited by the prospect of a gearbox-equipped gravel bike when I saw J.Laveracks Pinion-equipped Grit II gravel bike.Just as with mountain bikes, the dirt and abuse gravel bikes are exposed to means it makes sense if theyre free of chains and derailleurs. J.Laverack's Pinion gearbox and belt-drive equipped Grit gravel bike. J.Laverack A lightweight, internal system could be transformativeDespite these advancements, I still think a cutting-edge, lightweight internal system on a race bike could be transformative.Imagine the optimal drivetrain line with a tough, maintenance-free belt, housing lightweight gearing within the bike's bottom bracket. The rear-wheel design could be more symmetrical and lighter for the given strength. Surely aerodynamics could be improved with fewer sticky out bits, and even the belt could be enclosed in an aero cover. Now, I dont think CVT systems should be a road thing; the skill of gear selection shouldnt be lost in favour of convenience. But internal gears out of the way of the elements? Yes please.Racers wouldnt have the win-ending prospect of dropping a chain or damaging a fragile rear derailleur in a crash.Simpler, tougher and lower maintenance all sound like great pluses to me, so hey mechanical engineers at Shimano, SRAM and Campagnolo, lets bring gear shifting into the 21st century rather than trying to continue refining a design thats nearly a century old.Lifes too short to be waxing chains, isnt it?

CANYON//SRAM enjoyed a perfect day of racing on Mont Ventoux. Not only has Kasia Niewiadoma dominated her GC rivals and jumped into the yellow jersey, her young teammate Antonia Niedermaier successfully defended her white jersey and so the German formation could hold two highly-valued jerseys on the...

Racing on Mont Ventoux is not for the faint of heart, and it is not the ideal location for tactical play. The brutal climb that turned the Tour de France Femmes on its head saw Demi Vollering leave the day with mixed feelings, as she was surprised by her rival's level. Vollering entered the stage o...