‘In the beginning, there was a lot of hype’ – Classified is developing new multi-speed hubs and gearboxes as it builds for the future

“The first jolt of energy was brought into the company by SRAM, killing the front derailleur, championing 1x drivetrains. We said, ‘Why do we need just 12 speeds when you could have 15 or 16 with our system?'” Classified Cycling’s co-founder and CEO, Mathias Plouvier, told Cyclingnews about the beginnings of his brand, and how the motivation to create its two-speed hub gear system came about.

Classified has established itself effectively. It’s an independent brand with a product that is familiar to many cyclists now. While the roots of the company stretch back to 2005, the company was officially founded in 2019 by Plouvier and Dr Roëll van Drutenen. Several members of staff, including Plouvier, are also ex automotive powertrain specialists who worked for Punch Powertrain in Belgium, and who switched to the cycling industry.