Glorious Gearbox Goodness - Vital Member Bikes Ahead of Their Time - Mountain Bike Feature

If you haven't noticed, we love gearbox bikes at Vital. They're not perfect and they're hard to find, but we still believe in their potential and so do some pioneering Vital MTB members. Check out some gearbox bikes that Vital MTB members have shared in our bike check section and you may get on the bandwagon, too!

F1234K's Zerode Taniwha

Zerode's Taniwha carbon enduro bike is now a reality and long-time gearbox aficionado, F1234K, has his hands on one. The carbon-framed beauty is built with DVO suspension and a Pinion gearbox 12-speed drivetrain. He says, "Rides amazing. Up and down, just brilliant. Quite, controlled, FUN!" We. Are. Down!

Lieutenant Dan's Zerode Taniwha

Lieutenant Dan must have taken a break from shrimpin' to build up this impeccable all-black Zerode Taniwha. PUSH Elevensix rear shock, DVO Diamond 170 Boost and Wheelworks Derby carbon wheels for a build we'd trade our souls for. Sickest build of 2016? Quite possible.

YoYo's Zerode G2.5 DH Bike

YoYo has built up this clean 27.5-inch-wheeled G2.5 DH bike. Dialed blue and black color scheme and Formula brakes to boot.

Benoit Coulanges Nicolai Effigear ION 20 Effigear

If you wonder how Benoit Coulanges stays so under the radar on the World Cup circuit, it's because his Nicolai ION 20 Effigear is so quiet. Benoit has had Top 20 results aboard this bad boy. His Effigear drivetrain is belt-driven and set up with six speeds (you can run up to nine) and the bike weighing in at 38.5 pounds.

Hear that? Neither do we : )

Pup Wattanasimagon's Nicolai GPI

It doesn't get more modern or experimental than this. Pinion belt drive 1.12 drivetrain and Nicolai's long and slack geometry make this bike standout. The raw aluminum finish with black accents look good and at 34 pounds, this bike is ready to rumble up and down the mountain. Is this the future?