Cervélo has added a Classified Powershift specification to its P-Series triathlon bike, making it the latest high-end performance brand to opt for a two-speed rear hub to expand the gearing of a single-chainring drivetrain.
The collaboration, announced by Classified in early September, pairs an 11–34 cassette with the electronically controlled hub, and does away with the front derailleur entirely. Classified says the system integrates with Shimano Di2 controls and allows riders to shift under load without interrupting their effort.
Powershift gives a single-chainring drivetrain two ratios inside the rear hub: direct drive at 1:1 and a 0.7 reduction. The lower ratio has the same gearing effect as switching to a chainring 30% smaller, while leaving the chain on the same front ring.
The rear derailleur still moves the chain across the cassette. Riders therefore retain a second set of ratios without needing a front shift, extending the available gearing beyond what the single chainring and cassette would provide alone.
“With Powershift, riders can change gears seamlessly under load while maintaining an extremely efficient drivetrain configuration,” Classified CEO Mathias Plouvier said.
Classified’s general product specifications list shifts taking less than 150 milliseconds and the ability to shift under loads exceeding 1,000 watts. These are manufacturer claims; the P-Series announcement includes no independent testing or measured performance gains for the new build.
Classified’s factory-fit road and gravel builds
Classified’s progress is an interesting trend in high-end road cycling, and could signal a future where a front derailleur is no longer the norm. Cervélo follows Merida, whose Reacto ONE launched in March with Powershift as the £10,000 / €11,500 flagship of its new aero road range. Both bikes combine a single front chainring with the hub’s second internal ratio.
The Reacto ONE also brought Shimano Di2 integration to a complete Classified-equipped bike. Its hub can be operated directly from the Di2 shift levers through Shimano’s Connected Partners programme, removing the need for a separate Classified handlebar button. The Cervélo announcement confirms Di2 integration without detailing its control layout.
3T introduced the Strada Classified road bike and RaceMax Classified gravel bike in June 2023. Those builds paired Powershift with SRAM AXS components, showing another route to combining the hub with an electronic rear derailleur.
The Strada launched with SRAM Red AXS components and Classified R50 carbon wheels, at a listed UK price of £6,599. The RaceMax used Force AXS components and G30 wheels, with a listed price of £5,799.
The RaceMax also paired Powershift with an 11–34 cassette, matching the cassette endpoints announced for the Cervélo. Absolute gearing still depends on the front chainring size, which Classified has not specified for the P-Series build.
Ridley’s involvement goes back further: the company introduced Powershift on its Kanzo Fast aero gravel bike in 2020. Rose has also offered a Backroad Classified gravel build, advertising 22 gears and a 451% gearing range. These complete-bike offerings let buyers choose the system at purchase rather than convert an existing bike.
Classified says the new P-Series specification is available now, but the announcement gives no price so far, leaving its cost alongside conventional P-Series builds unconfirmed.
