Are gearboxes the way forward for MTBs or are derailleurs here to stay?

[ChUkKy]

...and while we at it, why not drop the belt drive and go internal shaft drive...everything nicely sealed up, no more hassles

 

A drive shaft would be a good idea and I suppose the only consumable on either side would be a little CV joint of sorts...

[blackwing]

I will buy an pinion equipped bike in a hearbeat if I had that cash. It's actually o.k priced (what is these days?) You can buy the frame and gearbox from alutech for 3500 euro. That is a dual suspension frame & drivetrain in one go.

 

I had some correspondance with them, and all the minor issues have been ironed out, and oilchanges is only once a year, or every 60000km.

 

Further you run a single speed chain to the back which means it chains will last even longer.

 

If I win the lotto tonight, I ordering my Alutech Fanes 650b tomorrow!

[Claudio]

I will buy an pinion equipped bike in a hearbeat if I had that cash. It's actually o.k priced (what is these days?) You can buy the frame and gearbox from alutech for 3500 euro. That is a dual suspension frame & drivetrain in one go.

 

I had some correspondance with them, and all the minor issues have been ironed out, and oilchanges is only once a year, or every 60000km.

 

Further you run a single speed chain to the back which means it chains will last even longer.

 

If I win the lotto tonight, I ordering my Alutech Fanes 650b tomorrow!

I'm there with you, but depending the winning I might go for a Nicolai. The craftsmanship is phenomenal.

[Gerlach]

check this one out!!! i think some of you will like this. http://www.bikerumor.com/2012/03/15/nahbs-2012-priority-cycles-insane-dual-drive-carbon-dh-bike-prototype/

[braailegend]

check this one out!!! i think some of you will like this. http://www.bikerumor...bike-prototype/

 

That is to cluttered, haha

 

With gearboxes it should look slim and stream line like this. When Nicolai makes the 6' travel version of this, im in. This to me is the best design look for me.

 

http://fcdn.mtbr.com/attachments/nicolai/825641d1377087511-nicolai-2014-product-range-ion-20-effi.jpg

 

http://fcdn.mtbr.com/attachments/nicolai/825639d1377087452-nicolai-2014-product-range-argon-am.jpg

 

http://fcdn.mtbr.com/attachments/nicolai/825640d1377087475-nicolai-2014-product-range-argon-tr.jpg

Edited October 10, 2013 by braailegend

[DaviM]

Nice article. A true test would be the imana.

[JoeMan]

Gearboxes...naturally yes. However, if you're thinking dual suspension then obviously stay away from hub-gearboxes. Unfortunately, gearboxes are still a bit expensive. Are gearboxes expensive due to the small demand or due to small-scale production costs? My future ride is the Nicolia Helius Am Pinion! Smooth gear changes and you can change gear at zero velocity.

[BrandonF_]

That is to cluttered, haha

 

With gearboxes it should look slim and stream line like this. When Nicolai makes the 6' travel version of this, im in. This to me is the best design look for me.

 

http://fcdn.mtbr.com/attachments/nicolai/825641d1377087511-nicolai-2014-product-range-ion-20-effi.jpg

 

http://fcdn.mtbr.com/attachments/nicolai/825639d1377087452-nicolai-2014-product-range-argon-am.jpg

 

http://fcdn.mtbr.com/attachments/nicolai/825640d1377087475-nicolai-2014-product-range-argon-tr.jpg

 

Yoh, that boytjie in the middle looks nice!

[zekebacca]

Chain drive is simply the most efficient. Especially in bicycling terms it is hard to drive technology in a direction that increases complexity, cost of manufacture and at the same time increases weight or friction losses.

[Shebeen]

Gearboxes...naturally yes. However, if you're thinking dual suspension then obviously stay away from hub-gearboxes. Unfortunately, gearboxes are still a bit expensive. Are gearboxes expensive due to the small demand or due to small-scale production costs? My future ride is the Nicolia Helius Am Pinion! Smooth gear changes and you can change gear at zero velocity.

I think they're expensive due to low production/demand. the thing is that they have the potential to become more affordable. derrailleurs and especially they're consumables only get more expensive over time. (i still ride 9speed mtb...still happy with it)

 

Where they obviously win is the lifetime cost. throw in 5 years of riding with 6/7 chains, 3/4 casettes and 2 cranksets and it doesn't look so bad.

[Rincewind]

Racing Cars.....F1, Indie, Performance tourers....I think its about putting ones toe in the water as far as introduction to main stream events....how many people thought the 29'er would become a competition bike? gear boxes may find it's own category just like electric motor sports vehicles and as such ebikes...did I just say that euw!

[braailegend]

Racing Cars.....F1, Indie, Performance tourers....I think its about putting ones toe in the water as far as introduction to main stream events....how many people thought the 29'er would become a competition bike? gear boxes may find it's own category just like electric motor sports vehicles and as such ebikes...did I just say that euw!

 

No... there not much difference between gearboxes and derailleurs, why would you give it own category?? Remember, its just a method to change gears, not a help-my-trap with a motor. Its like saying Sram bikes should compete separately from shimano bikes.

[mad bout mtb]

here is an article op pinkbike about gearboxes vs. derailleurs which is a good read. http://www.pinkbike....nally-Dead.html

 

Or if you are a bit lazy and don't want to read here is a video explaining why derailleurs are still used instead of gearboxes. http://www.redbull.c...l-s-in-the-dirt

Edited October 12, 2013 by mad bout mtb

[ThePubSA]

That is to cluttered, haha

 

With gearboxes it should look slim and stream line like this. When Nicolai makes the 6' travel version of this, im in. This to me is the best design look for me.

 

http://fcdn.mtbr.com/attachments/nicolai/825641d1377087511-nicolai-2014-product-range-ion-20-effi.jpg

 

http://fcdn.mtbr.com/attachments/nicolai/825639d1377087452-nicolai-2014-product-range-argon-am.jpg

 

http://fcdn.mtbr.com/attachments/nicolai/825640d1377087475-nicolai-2014-product-range-argon-tr.jpg

Yoh, that boytjie in the middle looks nice!

Top for me plz sir.. with a 180mm fork

[Rincewind]

No... there not much difference between gearboxes and derailleurs, why would you give it own category?? Remember, its just a method to change gears, not a help-my-trap with a motor. Its like saying Sram bikes should compete separately from shimano bikes.

Its not say that a more open approach to cycling variants in one competition is not possible. Whoever creates rules and regulations for given events may decide for or against. Not to say that will be the final decision rather an evolution on both the users and the Rule makers of varied events in the future lets wait and see.

[Chro Mo]

mmmmm....