Classified, the Belgian brand that developed the "front derailleur killer" two-speed rear hub, this week announced partnerships with a number of wheel brands in an effort to expand its market. [In a review of the Classified Powershift CF 30, the company said the technology is "totally revolutionary" but needs better wheel options.

This week's announcement addresses this issue head on, opening up Classified Powershift technology to a wider audience by offering a wider choice of wheelsets from seven well-known brands. [DT Swiss, Mavic, Fast Forward, Enve, Reynolds, Boyd Cycling, and Spinergy. Classified also sells powershift hubs on a stand-alone basis.

Classified's technology, known as the Powershift hub, is essentially a two-speed gearbox in the rear hub that functions like a conventional derailleur and cassette drivetrain. The first gear operates at a 1:1 ratio, while the second reduces the ratio to 1:0.686. This ratio is similar to the difference between a 50-ton and a 34-ton chainring, and mimics the operation of shifting into the "little ring."

The added weight is claimed to be equivalent to the weight lost by removing the front derailleur and changing to a single chainring, benefiting both the function of the groupset and the rider's performance. First, removing the 2X chainset reduces the risk of dropping the chain when shifting, and at the same time improves the aerodynamics of the bike. Furthermore, the shifting action is immediate, allowing shifting even under heavy load, and the rider does not need to adjust the pedal stroke. In addition, shifting can be done without pedaling at all, which is useful for riders approaching a steep uphill, or for riders who want to restart after a fall.

Shifting is done with a button fixed to a Bluetooth transmitter on the rider's handlebar, or by wiring the transmitter to the bike's existing electronic shifter, such as Shimano Di2, SRAM eTap, or Campagnolo EPS. The transmitter then sends a signal to the smart through-axle, which does two things: the through-axle keeps the wheel in place and receives the signal sent internally.

The hubs are designed to be easily removed from the shell, allowing the rider to have two wheelsets compatible with the Classified without having to purchase two gearbox hubs. This means that a rider can have several different wheelsets (e.g., shallow climbing wheels and deep aero wheels) on a Classified bike.

This is a technology favored by the great Belgian cyclist Tom Boonen, which has already been introduced in the pro peloton after being trialled by Team Uno X at the Tour de Hongri.

"There was a huge demand from the industry and from riders around the world to make Powershift more accessible," explained Classified CEO Matthias Plouvier.

"This wide adoption of Powershift is a recognition by the market that our innovative shifting system is well and truly accepted within the cycling ecosystem.

There is no information yet on which of the seven branded wheels Powershift will be applied to, and therefore no pricing information." Other than Classified's statement that "the price will be competitive with current partner wheels.

If sold individually, buyers will get a shifting system, smart thru-axle, handlebar module, and a cassette of their choice of 11- or 12-speed configurations from 11-27 to 11-40.