Shimano Killing the Rear Derailleur?

[Hairy]

https://www.bike198.com/shimano-gearbox-patent/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=is_shimano_killing_the_rear_derailleur_news_killer_mtb_videos_and_more&utm_term=2019-11-08

 

Link to Patent: https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/ac/c6/46/60b59fb9800461/US20190011037A1.pdf

 

Back in the day, Truvativ (SRAM) came out with a crankset with internal gearing that was the beginning of the end for the front derailleur called the HammerSchmidt. Ultimately, technology of rear cassettes and rear derailleurs spelled the eventual death of the FD but drivetrains were simplified and front derailleurs were quietly retired into the “remember when” parts bucket box. I hope they are comfortable with rim brakes, threaded stems and 26″ wheels.

SHIMANO INTERNAL GEARING PATENT FILED

 

 

Shimano recently filed for a patent on an internal gearing system that would spell the death of the rear derailleur with internal gearing in the frame at the crank. If you take a good look at the pictures in the filing, it really looks like the e-bike trend has really paved the way for this technology. Unlike with the HammerSchmidt which had all of the internal shifting baked into the crankset, the Shimano filing puts it on the chainline like you see with e-bike motors in the form of a gearbox.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out over time but we are finally seeing actual technological advancements in biking again instead of just “new” standards. Derailleurs are arguably the most annoying part of cycling so I would not be sad to see them go in favor of a better option.

[BaGearA]

"

Shimano Killing the Rear Derailleur?"

 

definitely not , but I'm excited for gearboxes 

[eddy]

I don't want to be funny, but they are going to k@k to get that thing to weigh around 550g - the weight of an XTR RD and cassette.

[shaper]

lot cheaper to service and replace a RD than this... most likely will be for e-bikes

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

MERGEMOD, merge with this fred, please... 

 

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/183939-shimano-patents-bicycle-gearbox-for-mtb-and-road/

[Eddy Gordo]

lot cheaper to service and replace a RD than this... most likely will be for e-bikes

Will be frame specific as well.

[letsride]

There has been rumours of Shimano Skunkworks working on a gear hub for years, the biggest problem is the weight. Frame based gearboxes should be the future!

[First226]

It nothing new, someone introduced a internal gear box a few years ago, the trouble was it was heavy, had to have two gear cables and a twist shifter, the wieght was the gear oil that had to use but it was all most maintenance free , all is needed a oil change. Shimano already has the Nexus system, which is a hub gearbox up to 14 speed , first oil change is done in the second year and in Europe with e bike technology, we in South Africa don't have the Nexus components and Coolheat do not stock, It problem for me as I have problems get the oil when overseas touring bikes and Dutch bike comes into my workshop. As for the internal gearbox I say a got thing for the social ride as they dont clean ther drive chains and prefect for women cycles as it make gear change easy.

[splat]

How does this compare with Zerode's setup ?

 

https://zerodebikes.com/

 

[DieselnDust]

Interesting but not anything special. It's just another patent exercise to lock down pathways of development. Rohloff have patents, SRAM have patents, Honda also has patents that cover gearboxes for bicycles.

I'd love a gearbox for bike. Might still build a Rohloff'd bike around a Ti hardtail frame

[letsride]

Read up some more on this, its actually not a “gearbox” so to speak so the friction issues wont be present! Also sounds like the weight could be relatively low. Will simplify chainlines, centre gravity should be good as most the weight is low and unsuspended.

[Hairy]

The thing about this is that this is Shimano throwing their weight behind a very exciting concept. As Let's Ride says, less friction and lower weight vs current gearbox type systems, and then having far less sprung mass on the rear wheel and rather setup as unsprung mass on a low center of gravity around the BB/middle of bike = lekker like a cracker!