[Wilhelm]

Here are some nice and very interesting pics from a NICOLAI "bike vision" for year 2016 (published in the German MTB journal "Mountain BIKE", issue 04[April] 2006, pp. 24-25 [http://www.mountainbike-magazin.de]).

We can see a gearbox with a carbon casing, an integrated disc break on the left side, a completely protected chain, as well as the well known "COR" rear hub (http://www.g-boxx.org/english/dateien/special.htm).

Enjoy!

 

[SOil]

Better make sure your chain doesn't brake

It does make sence to remove more weight from the rear wheel, but surely fitting any decent size rotor in the G-Boxx (with an appropriate guard no to burn/slice your leg) that clears everything is a tricky task.

Also won't long term hub (the engagement parts) reliability be an issue as it'll be stressed under braking (as is the chain). Or are the loads transmited to the under braking comparable to those involved in pedaling/sprinting?

 

[Ozzer]

SEPTEMBER 13, 2006 -- SAN DIEGO, CA (BRAIN)—Currie Technologies has licensed Fallbrook Technologies Nu Vinci continuously variable transmission (CVT) for use on its Izip product line.

“We’re excited about making NuVinci technology a part of our IZIP hybrid product line,” said Malcolm Currie, Currie Technologies’ founder. “These vehicles offer riders new and better choices, and represent an outstanding marketing opportunity for specialty retailers.”

The IZIP hybrid electric bike has an Electro-Drive electric hub motor drive system that powers the front wheel, with pedals and a rear-wheel drivetrain like a conventional bike. The NuVinci CVP will serve as a rear-wheel drivetrain, functioning as a planetary gear set, replacing a traditional derailleur or internal geared hub.

Currie is purchasing the NuVinci CVP from Aftermarket Technology Corp. (ATC), a licensed Fallbrook manufacturer. Currie’s agreement is ATC’s third OEM manufacturing agreement for delivering products based on NuVinci technology.

Currie’s Izip hybrid bikes will be available in late this year, with Izip Fusion 1000 NuVinci scooters becoming available in early 2007. The company hopes to create a new vehicle category—a family of light electric vehicles (LEVs) whose enhanced performance, through Currie and Fallbrook technologies, makes them a practical alternative to gas-powered vehicles.

I like non-cookie cutter frames...

 

[springfish]

That Nicolai looks like it's about to go into labor.

 

[Wilhelm]

Recently, Falco MILLE of the NICOLAI GmbH (http://www.nicolai.net/company/e-staff.html) wrote an interesting short communication about the further development of the G-BOXX technology (http://www.mtb-news.de/forum/showthread.php?t=266079, see post #3, in German: "Das Nucleon AMX wird nicht in Serie gehen. Der auf der Eurobike präsentierte Prototyp hatte noch einigen Verbesserungbedarf. Wir haben uns daher entschieden, das aktuelle Stadium zu überspringen und planen zur nächsten Eurobike die Präsentation eines komplett überarbeiteten Modells. ... Das Nachfolgemodell des AMX wird unter Umständen auch gar nicht mehr auf Rohloff Technik basieren."). He stateted that the "Nucleon AMX" prototype with the G-BOXX 2-14 ("G-BOXX Planetary"), shown last fall at the NICOLAI Open House 2006 resp. Eurobike 2006, will not reach production status at all. Instead of fine tuning this model resp. the G-BOXX 2-14 they will come out with a completely revised successor G-BOXX bike at the Eurobike 2007. However, I think the crucial question he referred to was that the new model resp. the new G-BOXX version may no longer use ROHLOFF technology. So we will be very excited to see the announced updates of the websites http://www.g-boxx.com resp. http://www.g-boxx.org soon (G-CON 2.0 ...)!

 

[EVRAC]

I've been checking those 2 sites every day. The trigger-shifter / custom crank unit is supposed to be released in March.

 

[Wilhelm]

There are some interesting news at http://www.g-boxx.com/, regards the final version of the announced G-BOXX 7 speed (bandwidth 222%, transmission ratios from 42/11 to 32/24, compatible with trigger shifters as well as with twistgrips, cranks may be compatible to the ISIS standard?): http://www.g-boxx.com/pdf/ut-pamphlet-show07.pdf

http://www.g-boxx.org/ has not been updated so far.

 

[dhkid]

nice!!! any more info on it?

does this mean that any bike that uses the gboxx will have the same axel path?

 

[Wilhelm]

Sorry, I have no more infos so far. The "axle path" would be fixed, but you can change the angle of the box resp. you can turn the box around the bottom bracket.

 

[rosenamedpoop]

hussefelts, the best they could do?

Look at the back of the right crank arm. It looks machined out to fit around the G Boxx

 

[EVRAC]

Lookin good

 

[BMXman]

Now if Evil will just get their g boxx hardtail together my life will be complete...D

 

[Wilhelm]

Lookin like a NICOLAI UFO ST with G-Boxx 2 (7-speed): http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/yshinots/GALLERY/gallery.html?fid=0&p=3
http://www.mtb-news.de/forum/showthread.php?t=281277.

May be that this is the same G-Boxx 2 bike as previously shown in the latest flyer from "UniversalTransmissions": http://www.g-boxx.com/pdf/ut-pamphlet-show07.pdf (see page 1).

 

[EVRAC]

Nice.

The same new g-boxx can be seen on the new diamondback Sabbath in this thread:

http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/showthread.php?t=182271

Lighter, custom cranks and trigger-shifters.
Sign me up.

 

[Wilhelm]

Thank you.

Besides http://www.descent-world.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&Itemid=82&task=view&id=627 I´ve also seen nice wright ups about the "DIAMONDBACK Sabbath" at http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Diamond-Back-Gear-box-bike-Sabbath-II-2007.html as well as at http://www.southerndownhill.com/reviews/bikes/diamondback-sabbath-preview.html.

In the discussion at http://www.southerndownhill.com/forum/index.php/topic,117443.75.html you can see an interesting pic of a belt-driven G-Boxx 1 bike, may be a NICOLAI Nucleon (for news about belt drive on bikes see also http://singletrackworld.com/article.php?sid=2426&PHPSESSID=77d8a68ec12c0a009cf68b0a960484c2).

Wheras the news pics of the DIAMONDBACK Sabbath don´t show any shifters, one of the pics of the NICOLAI Nucleon G-Boxx 2 prototype shows a ROHLOFF-style twist shifter, mounted on the right side of the bar. So it becomes clear that the cable routings on both sides of the G-BOXX 2 are an not an indication of a further evolutionary step of the gearbox with a 2-shifter gearing like 2x7 or 2x9.

Also interesting: http://www.g-boxx.org/ is working now (at least in part). Chapter 10 seems to lack some of the gearbox bikes that are listed in this threads: http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/showthread.php?t=146187, http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/showthread.php?t=164572, http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97295. Unfortunately, the CAD sheets in chapter 12 can´t bee seen without a password.

Enjoy!

 

[Transcend]

Thank you.

Besides http://www.descent-world.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&Itemid=82&task=view&id=627 I´ve also seen nice wright ups about the "DIAMONDBACK Sabbath" at http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Diamond-Back-Gear-box-bike-Sabbath-II-2007.html as well as at http://www.southerndownhill.com/reviews/bikes/diamondback-sabbath-preview.html.

In the discussion at http://www.southerndownhill.com/forum/index.php/topic,117443.75.html you can see an interesting pic of a belt-driven G-Boxx 1 bike, may be a NICOLAI Nucleon (for news about belt drive on bikes see also http://singletrackworld.com/article.php?sid=2426&PHPSESSID=77d8a68ec12c0a009cf68b0a960484c2).

Wheras the news pics of the DIAMONDBACK Sabbath don´t show any shifters, one of the pics of the NICOLAI Nucleon G-Boxx 2 prototype shows a ROHLOFF-style twist shifter, mounted on the right side of the bar. So it becomes clear that the cable routings on both sides of the G-BOXX 2 are an not an indication of a further evolutionary step of the gearbox with a 2-shifter gearing like 2x7 or 2x9.

Also interesting: http://www.g-boxx.org/ is working now (at least in part). Chapter 10 seems to lack some of the gearbox bikes listed at this threads: http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/showthread.php?t=146187, http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/showthread.php?t=164572, http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97295. Unfortunately, the CAD sheets in chapter 12 can´t bee seen without a password.

Enjoy!

I've seen some other versions of that rear on other bikes...

 

[EVRAC]

good to see g-boxx.org back online, although I can't see any new content.

 

[Wilhelm]

Two nice pics of a belt-driven NICOLAI UFO ST proto with G-Boxx 2, still with a twist shifter: http://fotos.mtb-news.de/fotos/showphoto.php/photo/389591/cat/500/ppuser/33346, http://fotos.mtb-news.de/fotos/showphoto.php/photo/389592 (from http://www.mtb-news.de/forum/showthread.php?t=285006&page=3).

 

[unskilled]

i want a g-boxx tranny bike so badly. nUcleon tst. less unsprung weight, less stuff to break, less stuff to clean, no chain growth. sweet goodness

 

[EVRAC]

Two nice pics of a belt-driven NICOLAI UFO ST proto with G-Boxx 2, still with a twist shifter: http://fotos.mtb-news.de/fotos/showphoto.php/photo/389591/cat/500/ppuser/33346, http://fotos.mtb-news.de/fotos/showphoto.php/photo/389592 (from http://www.mtb-news.de/forum/showthread.php?t=285006&page=3).

NICE!

Looks like they are trying to route those cables more inward. The other pics of the g-boxx 2 show the cable "ports" pointing straight forward and now they are tucked in. But why are they still horizontal and not in line with the downtube? Kinda-dumb if you ask me, but I'm sure there is some design limitation stopping them. All they need is a modified v-brake noodle to redirect the cables.

And when are we going to see the gripshift alternatives? Either the sram shifter or the one-for-each-thumb paddle shifters.

Belt drive on a downhill bike? - hmmmm. Light and quiet. Not sure about efficiency, durability, mud.

Love to see the steady evolution, but it's a little slow for me. Wonder what this year's euro/interbikes will hold for the gearbox lovers.

 

[EVRAC]

Just looking at my signature and I realized:

B1 - nope
BCD - nope
Hayes - nope.

Kinda sad.

 

[Wilhelm]

Indeed, the cable routings of the gear box seem to be a little "unintelligible". Design limitations at this time are a likely explanation, and V-brake noodles may be a temporary solution.

Here are some links to the belt (Poly Chain® GT® Carbon™ Belt) manufacturer (Gates Corporation) as well as to the sprocket manufacturer (Motion Systems Incorporated) NICOLAI seems to cooporate with: http://www.gates.com/brochure.cfm?brochure=7468&location_id=11347, http://www.large-gears.com/poly-chain-drives.html. Other manufactureres of Poly Chain® compatible sprockets/pulleys: http://www.karata.com/final.htm, http://www.bakerdrivetrain.com (see also http://www.motocrossreview.com/content/view/1326/84/, http://www.ridegear.com/rg/item/F-48108/Baker-Drivetrain/Steel-Long-Life-Pulley-with-32-Tooth-for-Harley-Davidson-Big-Twin-85-06.html?source=CJproducts&AID=10284657&PID=2417839).

 

[Wilhelm]

I think that the "belt thing" is a nice idea for an internally geared bike, just because there are some speculations around, that Poly Chain® GT® Carbon™ belts could be seen as integrated parts inside of the all-new G-Boxx 2. The pros and cons of belt driven gearbox bikes were recently discussed in the mtbr.com "downhill-freeride" forum: http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=304865&highlight=g-boxx.

 

[Wilhelm]

There are some informations about the future of the G-Boxx 2 in a short paper in DirtMag (UK), Iss. 64 (2007), p. 137 (http://www.nicolai-uk.com/Reviews/07_gboxx_dirt.jpg). The little wright-up contains the (not so new) information that UT is in the works as well as with one-for-each-thumb paddle shifters as (new!) with a (2 x 7) 14 speed all-mountain version of the gearbox.

 

[EVRAC]

A couple of interesting bits in there. First, my understanding was that UT sold Suntour a design that uses spur gears, not planetary, and secondly, that the new G-boxx was using planetary gears, not a "derailleur in a can" as the article says. I'd be a little disappointed if there was in fact a derailleur banging around in there.

From the G-boxx.com site:

Brand
Technology
Rear hub with freewheel
Rear hub without freewheel

Honda, Petespeed
Derailleur Technology
+ Less chain friction whilst cruising- Shifting is only possible while pedalling
+ Rear wheel weight is reduced
- Shifting is only possible when pedalling and cruising
- Chain friction whilst cruising

G-Boxx
Planetary Gear System
+ Shifting is always possible (standing, pedalling, cruising)- Less chain friction whilst cruising
+ Shifting is always possible (standing, pedalling, cruising)
+ Rear wheel weight is reduced
- Chain friction whilst cruising

SRSUNTOUR
Spur Gear System
+ Shifting is always possible (standing, pedalling, cruising)- Less chain friction whilst cruising
+ Shifting is always possible (standing, pedalling, cruising)
+ Rear wheel weight is reduced
- Chain friction whilst cruising

 

[Wilhelm]

I`m a little confused, too. I don`t know the secret inside the new G-Boxx 2, but I speculated that there could be several pairs of pulleys and belts inside.

 

[Wilhelm]

Yesterday, Falco Mille from NICOLAI Support posted that there will be no new nucleon model for 2008, only some modifications of the TFR. So I wonder what is going on with the development of the G-Boxx 2. SR SUNTOUR will show their 2008 version of the V-Boxx http://www.srsuntour-cycling.com/SID=sic1ecd238949453aab18a691d7934ec/index.php?screen=ne.detail&pid=97&sno=4 at eurobike 2007.

 

[EVRAC]

???????

That is sad.
What is up with the g-boxx 2?
If other companies are buying it, ie: diamondback, then why wouldn't they use it on their top dh bike?

 

[Wilhelm]

I think, let us first see what informations we can retrieve at the NICOLAI open-house this weekend. I am also very disappoited about the above news.

 

[Wilhelm]

So far I have heared from the open-house, there were NO new nucleons to see, only a refreshed TFR (new gussets, new linkage lever), no more informations about the G-Boxx 2.

 

[Fly]

How lame. You know, by delaying production/developement constantly, Nicolai will eventually lose the public's interest. Then it will be really hard to get the gearbox revolution rumbling along.

It sounds cliche, but with the budget and machine shops those companies have, I think I could have had a production gearbox out by now. After all, how hard could it be to scale down a motorcycle or car transmission? This isn't groundbreaking technology they have going...just a variation on a theme. FFS, get it together already, they've kept us waiting long enough.

 

[dazz]

After all, how hard could it be to scale down a motorcycle or car transmission? This isn't groundbreaking technology they have going...just a variation on a theme. FFS, get it together already, they've kept us waiting long enough.

The planetary gear-hub (ie. rohloff) is similar to an auto tranny from a car in that the both use planetary gear-sets to obtain the different ratios, however, the way in which the ratios are selected are completely different. A scaled down motorcycle gearbox could work, but I suspect that to get the weight & friction losses low enough to be acceptable, some serious R&D would have to be put into the materials & bearings used.

 

[EVRAC]

And a clutch would suck.

 

[Fly]

Haha, ok, point taken. I'm just impatient.

"Daddy, I want another pony...now"

 

[EVRAC]

I hear ya. I've been saying that I won't buy another dh bike that needs a rear d. Looks like I might still be waiting a while.

 

[Wilhelm]

First to say, that at the NICOLAI open-house last weekend they indeed showed a UFO STish prototype bike with the 7 speed G-Boxx 2 (http://fotos.mtb-news.de/fotos/showphoto.php/photo/408653/cat/500/ppuser/47907, http://fotos.mtb-news.de/fotos/showphoto.php/photo/408654). A guy of the IBC community reported his first impressions of a short test ride. He stated a very smooth up an down shifting, even under load. While up shifting he had the feeling to preselect a particular gear that would engage not before he unloaded the pedals. The 14 speed version of the G-Boxx 2 would go to series production not before 2008/2009 (http://www.mtb-news.de/forum/showthread.php?t=295640). We can see a new design with new custom cranks, new cable ports, and new side panels.

The UNIVERSAL TRANSMISSIONS G-Boxx 2 (7 speed) was shown at Eurobike 2007 as a

• stand alone model (http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part1/photo#5104593062902572786, http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part1/photo#5104590619066180290, http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part1/photo#5104590640541016786, http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part1/photo#5104590670605787874)

as well as built in several bikes of

• ALUTECH ("Pudel" http://www.transcendmagazine.com/gallery/view_photo.php?set_albumName=eurobike2007&id=P1040292, http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part1/photo#5104590593296376498, http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part1/photo#5104589687058276642, http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part1/photo#5104589721418015026, http://fotos.mtb-news.de/fotos/showphoto.php/photo/410419/si/Eurobike, http://fotos.mtb-news.de/fotos/showphoto.php/photo/410418),
• DIAMONDBACK ("Sabbath" http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part2/photo#5104604019364147634, http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part2/photo#5104604066608787906),
• MSC (http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part2/photo#5104603074471342114, http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part2/photo#5104603117421015090, http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part2/photo#5104603151780753474, http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part3/photo#5104937948776447554),
• NICOLAI ("UFO ST" http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part4/photo#5104943218701322034, http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part4/photo#5104943248766093122, http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part4/photo#5104942479966946786, http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part4/photo#5104942432722306514), and
• RICHI ENGINEERING/HEAD ("Pentagon" http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part1/photo#5104593475219433378, http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part1/photo#5104590747915199234, http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part1/photo#5104590782274937618, http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part1/photo#5104590808044741410, http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part1/photo#5104590846699447090, http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part1/photo#5104590928303825746).

There were no gearbox bikes to see by MBK, ORANGE or ROTEC. The CENTURION "StoneDigger" with Mert LAWWILL rear suspension design and G-Boxx 1 which was shown at Eurobike 2006 (http://www.mountainbike-magazin.de/centurion.123737.htm, http://www.slogdesign.de/news/downhill/downhill.html) is missing this year, too.

With the exception of the MSC bike which G-Boxx 2 seemed to be almost identical with the version given in the *.pdf file at the g-boxx.com website (http://www.g-boxx.com/pdf/ut-pamphlet-show07.pdf), all other G-Boxx 2 bikes already show the new design (new custom cranks, new cable ports, new side panels). All of them were equipped with a twist shifter (http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part1/photo#5104593363550283634).

Karlheinz NICOLAI told something about the new G-Boxx 2 in an interview (http://www.mtb-news.de/forum/showthread.php?t=297496, in German). He mentions the high efficiency of about 98 %, and the new custom cranks. All parts of the box were made by his own factory. The 7 speed version would be available on the market instantly. Unfortunately, nothing was told about the inside of the new gearbox!

Not really surprising, NICOLAI showed a prototype of the Nucleon TST Evo with a

• belt drive (Poly Chain® GT® Carbon™ Belt by GATES® Corporation), a
• properly designed gear box, and a
• new straight pull rear hub (http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part1/photo#5104592229678916994, http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part3/photo#5104938365388275442).

As a highlight, there was an all-new

• NICOLAI electronic shifting to see: "E-Core" (http://forum.tour-magazin.de/showthread.php?t=116972&page=21, http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part4/photo#5104947204430974146, http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part4/photo#5104947230200777938).

The SR SUNTOUR V-Boxx was shown as a

• stand alone model (http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part1/photo#5104593887536293986, http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part1/photo#5104593848881588306, http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part1/photo#5104591873196631282)

as well as built in several bikes of

• BERGAMONT ("Big Air G9" http://www.transcendmagazine.com/gallery/view_photo.php?set_albumName=eurobike2007&id=P1040294, http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part1/photo#5104594235428645154, http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part1/photo#5104593513874139058, http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part1/photo#5104593561118779330, http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part1/photo#5104593595478517714, http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part1/photo#5104593629838256098, http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part1/photo#5104591005613237106),
• NICOLAI ("UFO ST" http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part1/photo#5104594278378318130, http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part1/photo#5104591757232514242, http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part1/photo#5104591800182187218, http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part1/photo#5104591843131860194, "Nucleon TST Evo" http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part3/photo#5104933885737383826, http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part3/photo#5104938468467490594), and
• VARIO ("Proto Techno" http://www.transcendmagazine.com/gallery/view_photo.php?set_albumName=eurobike2007&id=P1040416, http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part2/photo#5104599827476064802, http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part4/photo#5104942166434334034).

All of them are using a twist shifter (http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part1/photo#5104593655608059890).

The GHOST DH V-Boxx bike which they announced last year (http://www.bike-sport-news.de/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=12379&imgid=21556&subtopic=83&photonr=10) was not shown. Unfortunately, there are no informations about this project left on their new for 2008 website (http://www.ghost-bikes.com/2008/). On the 2007 website they announced, that they would have been one of the main partners of SR SUNTOUR in the development of the V-Boxx.

The BERGAMONT "Big Air G9" will be available instantly. The weight of the bike should be about 18 kg, the price point for the complete bike (in Germany) € 4.499,- (http://www.mtb-news.de/forum/showthread.php?t=297485, in German).

The weight of the SR SUNTOUR V-Boxx is claimed to be 4,52 kg (incl. cranks, twist shifter, cables, and sprocket).

Another gearbox bike was shown by SOLID BIKES (http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part1/photo#5104589618338799874, http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part1/photo#5104589648403570962). The well known bike is not conform to the G-Con standard. They use a Shimano nexus hub inside. The weight of a complete bike should be about 20,7 kg (http://www.solidbikes.de/bikes_speed.html).

The well known LAHAR (DHV M9 http://www.laharbikes.com) with the ROHLOFF Speedhub, the GT concept bike with the integrated SHIMANO Nexus hub (http://www.bikebiz.com/news/21113/GTs-gear-box-bike-to-be-at-Cycle-2003) and the ELLSWORTH Prototype of 2005 with the Hayes "Pete Speed" gearbox (http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=photos/2005/tech/features/suspension/Ellsworth_prototype_with_Hayes_gearbox) were not presented at all.

The heavy weight, and since many years anticipated NuVunci™ CVT hub of FALLBROOK Technologies (http://www.fallbrooktech.com) was shown in the ELLSWORTH new "Ride" only (http://www.ellsworthbikes.com/bikes/default.aspx).

URBANCROSSCYCLE showed a new 25" bike with a never before seen gearing around the bottom bracket (http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part1/photo#5104592358527935922). No further informations so far. However, the gearbox which is concentric around the bb looks somewhat like the classic ADLER (http://cgi.ebay.de/SEHR-SELTEN-ADLER-FAHRRAD-MIT-GANGSCHALTUNG-SEHR-ALT_W0QQitemZ280147899594QQihZ018QQcategoryZ420QQcmdZViewItem, http://www.veteranum.de/?cat=8, http://www.g-boxx.org/10-bikes_history.html, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triumph_Motorcycles, http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adlerwerke, http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triumph-Adler) as well as the WANDERER (http://fotos.mtb-news.de/fotos/showphoto.php?photo=391340, http://fotos.mtb-news.de/fotos/showphoto.php/photo/391341, http://www.historisches-chemnitz.de/altchemnitz/industrie/wanderer/wanderer.html, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wanderer_(car), http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wanderer_(Unternehmen)) gearbox bikes (http://fahrradsammler.de/index.php?article_id=95, http://www.velorama.nl).

 

[Wilhelm]

Also interesting to see at Eurobike 2007 was the growing up interest in belt drive systems ( I reported about some weeks ago, see above #58, #62, #63, see also http://www.bikebiz.com/news/28798/Carbon-belt-drive-is-future-for-bike-transmission)

• CARBON DRIVE SYSTEMS (http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=/photos/2007/tech/news/08-28/CDS_rear_cog_on_bike, http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=/photos/2007/tech/news/08-28/CDS_belt, http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=/photos/2007/tech/news/08-28/CDS_cog_and_belt_interface, http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=/photos/2007/tech/news/08-28/CDS_chainring_with_ports, http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=/photos/2007/tech/news/08-28/CDS_Gate_Driven, http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=/photos/2007/tech/news/08-28/CDS_rear_cog, http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=/photos/2007/tech/news/08-28/CDS_keystone_dropout_on_bike, http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=/photos/2007/tech/news/08-28/CDS_keystone_dropout, http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=/photos/2007/tech/news/08-28/CDS_Spot_bike_side_view) "The system is built around a 52g toothed 'polychain' comprised of multiple strands of stretch-resistant carbon fiber embedded in flexible polyurethane. The matching proprietary chain ring and cog are made from CNC-machined aluminum, and the whole shebang weighs just 180g (yes, we said "180g," and no, it's not a typo. Read it again if you must). The embedded carbon fibers are also said to transfer tension faster than conventional roller pin chains for more immediate response to pedal inputs, and CDS even claims belt lives up to 10,000 miles for its 'endurance' model (a smoother running 'performance' system supposedly offers only marginally shorter lifespans). Gaping ports in the troughs of the cog and chain ring teeth also appear rather capable of evacuating even the nastiest goop, and after eight iterations of design refinement, CDS is confident in the final product. Spot will offer five CDS-equipped bikes next year, including the Longboard singlespeed 29er, a singlespeed cyclo-cross bike, the Sprawl urban fixie, the internal hub- and fender-equipped Highline commuter, and Spot's standard 26" singlespeed MTB model. Keystone dropouts will be standard equipment across the board, although conventional one-piece dropouts will still be available by special request. CDS also reports that two other companies have signed on for 2009. Currently, chainrings are only available in 32/34/42/44T (effective) sizes and Shimano spline-compatible cogs in 16/18/20/22T sizes. Chainrings are only offered in four-bolt 104mm BCD patterns for now but CDS says more chain ring and cog sizes and patterns are on their way. Retail prices for the chainrings and cogs range from US$38-45, and belts will cost approximately US$60." (http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=tech/2007/news/08-28),
• GATES Corporation® (http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part1/photo#5104593028542834402),
• MOMODESIGN (http://www.transcendmagazine.com/gallery/view_photo.php?set_albumName=eurobike2007&id=P1040459),
• ORANGE (http://www.bikemagic.com/news/images/eurobike07_orangebelt1_hi.jpg, http://www.bikemagic.com/news/images/eurobike07_orangebelt2_hi.jpg, http://www.bikemagic.com/news/article/mps/UAN/5745/v/1/sp/).

Finally, no gearbox bikes but so far three interesting solutions for some of the main goals of the gearbox idea: Low-maintenance, low friction, encapsulated drive train:

• (in conjunction with a modified 14 speed ROHLOFF Speedhub) by KATZ Bikes of Switzerland (http://www.eurobike-exhibition.de/html/en/exhibitors_products/novelties/worldwide/worldwide.php?lid=10186&id=0, http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part2/photo#5104599604137765298, http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part2/photo#5104599629907569090, http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part2/photo#5104599659972340178, http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part2/photo#5104599698627045858, http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part2/photo#5104599728691816946, http://www.katz-bikes.com),
• (in conjunction with a modified 9 speed SRAM i-Motion hub) by CANNONDALE (http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part4/photo#5104940886534079282, http://foto.mtbtr.com/eurobike2007/bikes/pages/Cannondale Prototype.htm, http://www.transcendmagazine.com/gallery/view_photo.php?full=1&set_albumName=eurobike2007&id=P1030816, http://www.transcendmagazine.com/gallery/view_photo.php?set_albumName=eurobike2007&id=P1030835, http://www.transcendmagazine.com/gallery/view_photo.php?set_albumName=eurobike2007&id=P1030837, http://www.mtb-news.de/forum/showthread.php?t=297556), and by
• CUBE (http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part3/photo#5104932373908894994, http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part3/photo#5104932399678698786, http://foto.mtbtr.com/eurobike2007/bikes/pages/Cube USC Prototype.htm).

What I was missing to see were the anticipated new light weight ROHLOFF Speedhub as well as trigger shifters by ROHLOFF (the single one shifter for up and down shifting) and NICOLAI (either the SRAM shifters or the two one-for-each-thumb paddle shifters).

 

[xy9ine]

What I was missing to see were the anticipated new light weight ROHLOFF Speedhub as well as trigger shifters by ROHLOFF (the single one shifter for up and down shifting) and NICOLAI (either the SRAM shifters or the two one-for-each-thumb paddle shifters).

sounds like the 'lightweight' rohloff (reputed to be -1lb) has been delayed - and that it 'may' come out in 2008. lazy bastards! a light hub & triggers would go a long way to mainstream acceptance & use (in both gearbox & conventional rear wheel mounted configurations). you'd think they'd be motivated to pump these things out asap. still waiting for the big guys to pull something out of the bag & render silly derailleurs obsolete.

 

[CreeP]

All that awesome info and you managed to miss a bike it seems:

http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part2/photo#5104599827476064802
vario

 

[Wilhelm]

Thank you. However, I´ve not forgotten this bike at all, but I have only included a detailed picture (I´m sorry): "Proto Techno" (http://picasaweb.google.de/TFJ777/Eurobike07Part4/photo#5104942166434334034, see above).