Shimano patents bicycle gearbox (for MTB and road)

[Capricorn]

 

 

Shimano has filed a patent that strongly suggests that it is finally developing a gearbox for both road and mountain bikes. 

 

Within the patent are details of exactly how the gearbox could work alongside details of a low-friction coating for chainrings and chains that has the potential to enormously reduce the drag of a gearbox – one of the key downsides of gearboxes we’ve ridden so far. 

If this patent becomes reality and is adopted by mainstream brands — which isn’t beyond the realms of possibility, given Shimano’s influence in the OEM market — it could represent a potentially huge change to bicycle design. 

 

It would also make a small but vocal group of diehard gearbox fans very, very happy indeed.

 

[DJR]

I call foul - it looks to me like a box to hide an electric motor and a battery