Nowadays, wi-fi shifting is all the fashion, however the present wi-fi parts command premium costs. That pricing places electrical shifting techniques from Shimano and SRAM out of attain for a lot of riders. OG Bikeworks desires to vary that with its new NXS Wi-fi Shifter System – and never only a new wi-fi shifting system, however a strategy to convert present mechanical derailleurs to wi-fi.
OG Bikeworks quietly introduced the NXS Wi-fi Shifting System on April eighth, 2025. The model just lately adopted that up with a Kickstarter marketing campaign that launched on Could 1st. The Kickstarter is providing a restricted variety of the earliest backers the possibility to get in on the super-early-bird value of simply $79.
Who’s OG Bikeworks?
OG Bikeworks was based by Paul Gallagher, a biking trade veteran who beforehand labored for manufacturers like Hayes and SRAM on varied initiatives. He’s no stranger to product improvement and has even dabbled in wi-fi shifting earlier than. In reality, Gallagher was behind the XShifter system that Tyler coated approach again in 2016.
Gallagher reassured us that NXS isn’t just a relaunch of the XShifter system. He mentioned, “The NXS Wi-fi Shifting System is a totally new platform, developed from the bottom up.”
Based on the press launch, OG Bikeworks “created NXS as a result of present wi-fi techniques are locked down and overpriced. Cyclists deserve freedom — the liberty to decide on any derailleur, fine-tune efficiency, and trip how they need.”
What’s the NXS Wi-fi Shifting System?
OG Bikeworks calls NXS “an open-platform wi-fi shifting system that works with any derailleur, any bike, any handlebar — with out forcing you right into a locked ecosystem.” Primarily, it goals to be a universally appropriate system that may convert any cable-actuated derailleur right into a wi-fi shifting system.
Primarily based on the video and pictures offered on the Kickstarter web page, the NXS 1X MTB Package is absolutely developed, purposeful, and prepared for manufacturing. The system consists of a wi-fi handlebar distant and a compact shifter unit. It claims to be appropriate with any rear derailleur and is absolutely programmable and customizable by the NXS Android App — an iOS model is reportedly coming quickly.
The handlebar distant is designed to mount to straightforward flat handlebar mounts. This compact distant has a CNC’d aluminum physique with a molded silicone rubber contact pad and weighs a claimed 23 grams. It’s powered by a regular CR2032 coin cell battery that’s claimed to final 2-3 years.
The shifter unit mounts on to the derailleur and is reportedly simply 50 mm lengthy. The package comes with a number of adapters to suit all the key derailleur manufacturers. This compact, self-contained unit homes all of the electronics, together with the servo motor and USB-C rechargeable battery. OG Bikeworks claims a battery lifetime of ~5,000 shifts per cost. The shifter unit weighs a claimed 55 to 60 grams, making the overall system weight ~80 grams.
Each the distant and the shifter are claimed to be waterproof with an IP65 ranking for using in any climate situation. Moreover, the rear shifter’s ball-and-socket mounting system is designed to be each angle-adjustable and work like a built-in crash safety system.
At current, OG Bikeworks solely affords 1X MTB Kits, however they are saying that’s only the start. The model claims that road-specific and dropper submit kits are coming quickly and that it’s engaged on OEM integration with “modern manufacturers.”
NXS Protocol
The distant and shifter are modern in and of themselves, however the NXS wi-fi protocol is noteworthy in its personal proper. OG Bikeworks calls it a “modular management platform constructed on a strong, low-latency communication protocol with full API entry.”
Not solely do they declare that shifting is quicker than SRAM, however NXS was designed with future OEM integration in thoughts. With the power to pair as much as 6 NXS gadgets on the identical wi-fi community, evidently OG Bikeworks is hopeful that different manufacturers license the NXS protocol when growing wi-fi parts.
The open API creates the potential for varied part manufacturers to make use of the identical wi-fi protocol and combine into the identical ecosystem. That’s one thing that isn’t potential with present wi-fi techniques, with SRAM’s AXS, Shimano’s Di2, and Fox’s Neo all being brand-specific.
Need In?
For those who’re excited about wi-fi shifting however not excited about shelling out huge bucks for it, OG Bikeworks’ new NXS Wi-fi Shifting System could be the resolution for you. Primarily based on what we’ve learn and seen, it ought to can help you convert your present cable-actuated derailleur right into a wi-fi shifting system. And, it does this at a fraction of the price of name-brand wi-fi shifting techniques and with only a minimal weight penalty.
If that sounds interesting to you, now could be your probability to be among the many first to expertise this new system. OG Bikeworks’ NXS Wi-fi Shifter Kickstarter marketing campaign is reside now, so you’ll be able to study extra or reserve your personal. Twenty super-early-birds can purchase in for the shockingly low value of simply $79. As soon as these promote out, thirty early-birds can get in for $129. The Kickstarter particular value of $149 takes over after that. The Kickstarter web page says they’ll ship anyplace on this planet, with supply estimated for August 2025.
You’ll be able to study extra concerning the model and NXS at ogbikeworks.com
