The Pinion system has an almost lateral approach as they decided to put the gearing where the force is put unto the bicycle, the "pinion"
Their website.
I like there approach a lot and tests seem to show it works briliantly, with a belt drive this could be close to the ideal bicycle with current technology.
In their favour:
- excellent gear placement
- sequential shifting
- shiften both under power and while standing
- good weight distrubution
- sealed system.
Not so favourable:
- needs spcial frame
- expensive
- still a startup, so how will it be in a couple of years..
