Back in late June the New York City bicycle company, Priority Bicycles, released a new “hardcore hardtail” trail bike. Just like the rest of Priority’s line of bicycles, the new 600HXT is created with an eye toward low maintenance. Equipped with the Pinion C1.12 gearbox with electronic Smart.Shift technology, they claim that the Priority 600HXT is the “first-of-its-kind to be offered to consumers in the U.S.”
The 600HXT pairs the Pinion C1.12 gearbox with Smart.Shift tech with a Gates Carbon Drive Belt and Fox suspension, along with modern geometry and class-leading component spec offering both performance and reliability. The 600HXT retails for $3999, but for a limited time (as of the writing of this article) it is available for $500 off at $3499
Priority Bikes 600HXT
In the span of the last six years, Priority has used the Pinion gearbox on three different models. The 600HXT is the first to use the Pinion Smart.Shift Technology, and is said to be the first available in the U.S. market.
Eddie Meek, Priority’s director of product development says “The Pinion gearbox offers tremendous benefits for low-maintenance reliability in our commuter, all-road, and 600x bikepacking models“.
He continues, “As soon as we developed the 600x however, we saw the potential for a true trail mountain bike that would take advantage of the centered weight and all-conditions reliability of the Pinion gearbox and Gates Carbon Drive belt, with the flagship “Priority focus” on low maintenance. The key to realizing this was a shifting system that could keep up with the dynamic riding of modern mountain biking, came in the form of the Pinion Smart.Shift technology“.
Removing the vulnerable and maintenance-heavy chain, rear derailleur, and cassette, that weigh down the rear wheel, shifts the balance to the center of the 600HXT, perhaps offering better handling.
With the push of a button, the Pinion Smart.Shift runs through the gears quickly and efficiently, regardless of conditions and drivetrain load.
Along with the Gates Carbon Drive belt, the “trail-worthy” spec of the FOX 34 Performance 140mm fork, WTB rims, WTB Vigilante 29×2.5 and Trail Boss 29×2.6 (front and rear respectively), TRP Slate quad-piston hydraulic disc brakes, and a OneUp 180mm dropper post means this hardtail is ready for some action.
600HXT Geometry
| MEASUREMENT | SMALL | MEDIUM | LARGE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Inseam | 29.5″ | 30.5″ | 32″ |
| Standover | 28.5″ | 29.5″ | 31″ |
| Rider Height | 5’5″ – 5’8″ | 5’7″ – 5’11” | 5’10” – 6’2″ |
| (A) Seat Tube Length | 360mm | 410mm | 440mm |
| (B) Seat Tube Angle | 75.5 deg | 75.5 deg | 75.5 deg |
| (C) Head Tube Length | 80mm | 100mm | 120mm |
| (D) Head Tube Angle | 65 deg | 65 deg | 65 deg |
| (E) Stack | 578mm | 598mm | 608mm |
| (F) Reach | 435mm | 447mm | 475mm |
| (G) Effective Top Tube | 595mm | 607mm | 640mm |
| (H) Chain Stay | 445mm in Stock Position | 445mm in Stock Position | 445mm in Stock Position |
| (I) Wheelbase | 1172mm | 1186mm | 1223mm |
| (J) BB Drop | 60mm | 60mm | 60mm |
| Spec(K) Crank Arm Length | 170mm | 170mm | 170mm |
| (L) Seatpost Travel | 150mm | 180mm | 180mm |
600HXT Sizing and Retail
Retail: $3999 (as of the writing of this article receive an additional $500 off)
Sizing:
- Small: (minimum inseam – 29.5″)
- Medium: (minimum inseam – 30.5″)
- Large: (minimum inseam – 32″)
