Easy Shift crankset: shift gears without pedalling
Wherever you want, whenever you want.
With the Easy Shift System, forget your limits
The HxR Components Easy Shift crankset lets you shift gear without pedalling, as long as the bike is moving. Its system keeps the chain moving independently of pedalling.
So you can choose the right gear exactly where a traditional crankset reaches its limits: technical sections, corners, jumps, descents, or even while pushing the bike.
Compatible with all frames and drivetrain brands, designed for 1x use, Easy Shift gives riders more freedom in managing their gears. It also greatly reduces kickback when the chain is moving.
Developed by a professional rider to meet the demands of the trail, this technology puts fluidity, control and performance at the heart of the MTB experience.
The different Easy Shift packs
HXR Easy Shift packs are designed to meet the demands of Enduro and Downhill (DH) mountain biking, with a smoother drivetrain suited to technical terrain.
Available as a DH Pack and an Enduro Pack, they feature Easy Shift crankset technology, which lets you shift without pedalling while the bike is moving.
Each configuration is designed to deliver performance, control and responsiveness in the most demanding conditions.
In racing as on the trails, Easy Shift lets you anticipate the right gear and stay focused on your riding. Two packs for riders looking for an innovative solution to optimise their MTB drivetrain.
The DH pack is for a long axle such as BSA83, BB107,....
The Enduro pack is for a short axle such as BSA68-73, BB89-92,....
A technology designed by a rider, for riders
Created 20 years ago by Romain (then a pro rider) for his own use, the Easy Shift crankset was born from his desire to overcome the equipment limitations holding back his performance and enjoyment. The problem? At the time, it couldn't be produced for the general public: most bikes had triple chainrings, derailleurs had weak tension... So Romain used his system unofficially in races for about ten years. Technological advances in the bike industry made it possible to bring his invention to market in 2015. Since then, around a thousand riders have trusted the crankset, from World Cup pros to everyday riders.
Easy Shift FAQ
Every innovation raises questions. Here are the most frequent ones.
Does the Easy Shift system work on all bikes?
Yes. Easy Shift is compatible with the vast majority of modern frames and drivetrains using a single round chainring. Whatever your bottom bracket standard (BB, PressFit, BSA, etc.), you simply fit the bottom bracket matching your frame standard, with bearings compatible with a 30 mm axle.
The system fits like a standard crankset, without any frame modification, and works with derailleurs from the major brands (SRAM, Shimano, TRP, Box...), whatever the number of speeds. If your bike uses a standard drivetrain, Easy Shift is compatible.
Yes, very clearly. By keeping the chain moving independently of pedalling, Easy Shift greatly reduces kickback, which improves suspension sensitivity and bike stability in technical sections. The bike stays smoother, more predictable and more comfortable in committing sections.
Does the Easy Shift crankset reduce kickback?
Do some components wear faster?
With Easy Shift, the drivetrain is never under load, which prevents premature wear compared with a conventional drivetrain. In rare cases, we have seen faster jockey wheel wear on some entry-level derailleurs.
The chain may also dry out a little faster, since it keeps moving while the bike is rolling. Simply lubricate it more often. We recommend a wax-based lubricant for optimal lifespan and clean running.
To use the Easy Shift system, you must have a fixed rear hub, or a hub made fixed using the official shims developed with our partner brands. It is this fixed hub that allows the freewheel built into Easy Shift to turn.
The system also requires a round single chainring with 94 BCD, as well as an upper chain guide to ensure the system stays in place and is safe. The chain guide must be fitted with an integrated bash guard to comply with the warranty conditions.
What are the requirements for using the Easy Shift crankset?
No. The Easy Shift crankset is maintained exactly like a standard crankset:
Regular cleaning / checking for play / greasing the bearings if necessary. No additional maintenance is required for the cranks.
For the Easy Shift freewheel, simple maintenance ensures optimal operation:
Lubricating the pawls / grease on the ball bearing part / a full annual service to ensure performance and longevity
In short: the same maintenance as a standard crankset, with a little annual attention for the freewheel to keep it working perfectly.
Is maintenance difficult?
No. The cranks stay still when you are not pedalling. Only the chain keeps turning, which lets you shift without pedalling. The crankset behaves naturally, just like a standard crankset.
Do the cranks keep turning?
We are often asked what the difference is between Easy Shift and anti-kickback systems. Even if these products may look similar, they don't have the same purpose at all. Easy Shift is designed above all to let you shift without pedalling, in every situation where turning the cranks is impossible or impractical: technical sections, tight corners, jumps, restarts while pushing the bike, sections where you need to keep the pedals level... Anti-kickback systems don't allow this. Their role is to cancel kickback completely. Easy Shift greatly reduces kickback as long as the chain is moving, but if the rear wheel is fully locked, the kickback reduction is no longer active.
If you're hesitating between the two solutions, the choice mainly depends on how often you pedal and lock the wheel. Anti-kickback systems can create a slight “dead spot” in the cranks before the drivetrain re-engages when you accelerate. Easy Shift, on the other hand, reduces kickback as long as the wheel is turning but doesn't cancel it when the wheel is locked. Note that some modern suspension kinematics are designed not to generate kickback, which may influence your decision.
If you have questions about other products or would like personalised advice for your bike and riding, don't hesitate: we'll be happy to help you make the best choice.