Posted on July 16, 2022 by Jessie-May Morgan
On the final day of Eurobike, Chinese drivetrain parts manufacturer, WheelTop, showed us their prototype Wireless MTB Drivetrain; the WheelTop EDX OS Series is a $400 USD package comprising derailleur, two batteries, and wireless shifter. While the vast majority of WheelTop’s business is OE, their new wireless electronic drivetrain will also be available aftermarket in due course. And, given that the firmware is post-purchase configurable to any 7- to 12-Speed Cassette on the market, they may find there’s a high demand.
WheelTop’s wireless derailleur has the range for cassettes up to 10-52T, but can be configured to work with pretty much any 7- to 12-speed cassette you fancy. The EDS OX wireless system is still under prototyping, and it’s not clear how exactly the reconfiguration would work., i.e. whether it would cost you extra pennies to reconfigure to a new cassette, but the possibility remains, making the system super versatile.
The EDS OX derailleur has a traditional layout with the familiar parallelogram mechanism shifting through gears, with a roller bearing clutch damping the movement of the chain tensioner. A representative of WheelTop tells us the clutch is adjustable and fully serviceable, though we weren’t able to get a look under the cover.
The WheelTop EDS OX system has a waterproofing rating of IP 67, meaning it has been tested to work for at least 30 minutes while submerged no more than 1 meter under water
The cage itself holds a 12t upper pulley and a 14t lower pulley. We weighed the derailleur, with battery, at 351g, which makes this prototype around 25g lighter than the SRAM XX1 AXS derailleur. The majority of its constituent components are alloy, including the cage, while the pulleys are made from injection-molded plastic.
The WheelTop EDS OX shifter has two buttons for up and down shifting. It seemed like only single shifts were possible but we can’t confirm that yet. The buttons had a very nice positive feel to them, a lot more like the feeling of regular cable shifter than the SRAM AXS paddles. That said, the action is definitely a hell of a lot lighter than anything cable actuated.
Via a button on the shifter, you can flip the system between two different modes; regular shifting mode, and a calibration mode that allows you to make super fine tune adjustments to get the derailleur set up perfectly.
The shifter currently is only compatible with the WheelTop 22.2mm clamp. Apparently, a drop bar shifter may come later, but there’s just this flat bar option for now. We weighed the WheelTop Shifter in at 67g, though we don’t know whether that includes the battery or not; will confirm later.
Given that WheelTop manufacture numerous cranksets and cassettes already, it looks like they’ll be able to offer a complete wireless drivetrain at a very competitive price, and maybe even a competitive weight, too. We’ll be keeping an eye on WheelTop so we can update you guys when it finally launches.
A representative of WheelTop tells us the EDX OS System will retail around $400 USD; that money will fetch you the derailleur, shifter, two batteries and charger. No word on an actual launch date just yet.
Jessie-May Morgan is the UK & Ireland Tech Editor of Bikerumor. She has been writing about Mountain Bike Riding and Racing, and all the technology that comes along with it for 3 years. Prior to that, she was an Intern at the Mountain Bike Center of Scotland, and a Mountain Bike Coach and Leader in the Tweed Valley, and prior to that, a Biological Research Scientist at the University of Edinburgh. Based in Innerleithen, Scotland, Jessie-May can regularly be seen riding the Tweed Valley’s Enduro and Downhill Tracks, often with a race plate tied to the handlebar.
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
It appears that you can already buy it on AliExpress but it does not mention the tuneability feature for different number of gears https://a.aliexpress.com/_mrXncp0
Would like to see more companies following the lead. This is what made me interested in Xshifter (didn’t go well). For hardware that supports multiple number of speeds, the firmware should allow user re-configuration. If someone was to offer a custom SRAM/Shimano firmware doing so, I’d support the effort even not owning a matching product, just on a principle.
As to the Wheeltop, what about 13, 14 speeds?
what happened with the xshifter
Here’s the parting word from Paul, the Xshifter author: https://imgur.com/a/iHDTE6w. It might have gone worse, and some legacy continues in the form of https://www.nxswireless.com.
I actually wonder why they would claim 7 speeds as the lowest number of cogs. What prevents them from supporting anything from 2 speeds to 20 speeds?
I remember the Xshifter. Not sure they ever made it to the market fully. Archer Components is also doing well after 5 years of their D1x shifter. Still not as efficient as an actual battery operated derailleur, but is a nice way to keep your existing rear mech.
This really is a great option for those who want to go wireless but don’t want to pay for SRAM. The Archer Components’ D1x is also a great option but still requires a short shifter cable. I’ve used that system and the micro adjust along with compatibility with your existing rear mech is wonderful. But the fact that it is an additional component to the rear mech is not as efficient as the EDX OS. I’m all for competition and the small companies who innovate and challenge the big boys.
Wheeltop already manufacture numerous cranks and a single cassette. The cranks are mainly in the just-above-Walmart category; none of the parts they make has a single moving part. I’ll therefore believe in Wheeltop’s ability to make complex items like electronic rear derailleurs when it’s been demonstrated, and not before.
ah this is what shimano could have come out, but no , instead we get answers to questions nobody asked
Equally as bad as split hairs between current standards. Cough 28.99 and 107… it’s crazy that the new electronic stuff doesn’t play nice with the old stuff by the companies choosing and we the consumers have allowed that to continue.
exactly right. Shimano’s wireless system has wires, such a HUGE disappointment. Especially when you consider the premium price.
That’s actually overkill. A 10 through 12 speed configuration would have been an instant hit too.
I thought the 7-12 speed claim to be a little dubious. A 7 speed chain is very different from a 12 speed one and it’s likely some significant compromises would need to be made to accommodate such a range.
It actually makes a lot of sense. Making it compatible down to 7 speeds is just a software issue, so easy to manage. By doing that you make your audience much larger. Though I would wonder how many people who run 7 spds would be in the market for a $400 derailleur.
Guys, you have noticed that Wheeltop has removed the Product from its Page right?
These have been available on AliExpress for a few months now but this is the first time I’ve heard they allow for multiple different speed configurations. They’ve lower the price. Originally they were $550 which seemed way to expensive for an unknown when you can get gx from Sram for $50 more. At $400 plus 11 speed compatibility, it’s a whole new ballgame.
You can get this type of product already with archer components shifter system trails.
I checked the AliExpress website and this product is no longer on it, at least not that I can find.
I´ve been waiting a long time for an XT Di2….for acoustic bikes. If this WheelTop derailleur hits the market before Shimano figure out what their users actually want, I might give it a try.
There was a time, before index shifting, when you could mix and match drive train components as you please. What Wheel Top is doing is great for the consumer. I despise using proprietary parts.
How they deal with SRAM patent – energy source (battery) is on the device?????? That’s the first reason FSA and Shimano couldn’t get rid of cables. SRAM sold them license?
© Copyright 2022 Bikerumor, All Rights Reserved