Gearbox bicycle

Last updated
Nicolai gearbox mountain bike Nicolai-gbox-bike.jpg
Nicolai gearbox mountain bike
Pinion P1.18 gearbox installed in a bicycle frame Pinion P1.18 mounted.jpg
Pinion P1.18 gearbox installed in a bicycle frame
Instinctiv Modern full suspension carbon gearbox mountain bike Instinctiv gearbox mountain bike.jpg
Instinctiv Modern full suspension carbon gearbox mountain bike

A gearbox bicycle is a bicycle that uses a gearbox [1] [2] to convert torque and rotational speed from the power source, usually the rider's legs, to what is desired at the drive wheel. The gearbox is usually incorporated into the frame near the crank, and it may be used in addition to or instead of derailleur gears or a hub gear. [3] Cited advantages include improved shifting performance, [4] protecting the gearing from damage and exposure to dirt and moisture, [5] as with hub gears, plus locating the additional mass between the two wheels and on the frame where it may be suspended, [6] unlike with hub gears. [7]

Contents

History

Patents for built-in systems to change gear ratios appeared as early as 1890. [8] [9] Adler offered a three-speed gearbox bicycle in the 1930s. [10] Several attempts to develop gearbox bicycles during the 2000s for downhill racing, such as the Honda RN-01 G-cross, incorporated complete derailleur gear drive trains in an enclosure. [11] [12] Around the same time Schlumpf Innovations and Hammerschmidt offered cranksets with two different gear ratios and just one chainring. [13] [14] Pinion launched their spur-gear system in the 2010s. [7]

Methods

At least three different gearing techniques have been employed.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Derailleur</span> Variable-ratio transmission system commonly used on bicycles

A derailleur is a variable-ratio bicycle gearing system consisting of a chain, multiple sprockets of different sizes, and a mechanism to move the chain from one sprocket to another.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hub gear</span> Device for changing gear ratio on bikes

A hub gear, internal-gear hub, internally geared hub or just gear hub is a gear ratio changing system commonly used on bicycles that is implemented with planetary or epicyclic gears. The gears and lubricants are sealed within the shell of the hub gear, in contrast with derailleur gears where the gears and mechanism are exposed to the elements. Changing the gear ratio was traditionally accomplished by a shift lever connected to the hub with a Bowden cable, and twist-grip style shifters have become common.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crankset</span> Bicycle part

The crankset or chainset is the component of a bicycle drivetrain that converts the reciprocating motion of the rider's legs into rotational motion used to drive the chain or belt, which in turn drives the rear wheel. It consists of one or more sprockets, also called chainrings or chainwheels attached to the cranks, arms, or crankarms to which the pedals attach. It is connected to the rider by the pedals, to the bicycle frame by the bottom bracket, and to the rear sprocket, cassette or freewheel via the chain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bicycle chain</span> Roller chain that transfers power from the pedals to the drive-wheel of a bicycle

A bicycle chain is a roller chain that transfers power from the pedals to the drive-wheel of a bicycle, thus propelling it. Most bicycle chains are made from plain carbon or alloy steel, but some are nickel-plated to prevent rust, or simply for aesthetics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Single-speed bicycle</span> Type of bicycle with a single gear ratio

A single-speed bicycle is a type of bicycle with a single gear ratio. These bicycles are without derailleur gears, hub gearing or other methods for varying the gear ratio of the bicycle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fixed-gear bicycle</span> Bicycle that has a drivetrain with no freewheel mechanism

A fixed-gear bicycle is a bicycle that has a drivetrain with no freewheel mechanism such that the pedals always will spin together with the rear wheel. The freewheel was developed early in the history of bicycle design but the fixed-gear bicycle remained the standard track racing design. More recently the "fixie" has become a popular alternative among mainly urban cyclists, offering the advantage of simplicity compared with the standard multi-geared bicycle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gear inches</span>

Gear ratios of bicycles are relative measures of bicycle gearing giving an indication of the mechanical advantage of different gears, which combined with the wheel diameter determines how far the bicycle advances per pedal or crank revolution.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Biopace</span>

Biopace is a tradename for a type of ovoid bicycle chain ring manufactured by Shimano from 1983 to 1993 The design was intended to help overcome the "dead zone" where the crank arms are vertical and riders have little mechanical advantage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Freehub</span> Type of bicycle hub

A freehub is a type of bicycle hub that incorporates a ratcheting mechanism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Front freewheel</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bicycle gearing</span> Bicycle drivetrain aspect which relates cadence to wheel speed

Bicycle gearing is the aspect of a bicycle drivetrain that determines the relation between the cadence, the rate at which the rider pedals, and the rate at which the drive wheel turns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belt-driven bicycle</span>

A belt-driven bicycle is a chainless bicycle that uses a flexible belt, typically a synchronous toothed design, in order to transmit power from the pedals to the wheel.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Honda RN-01 G-cross</span> Mountain bike produced by Honda

The Honda RN-01 G-Cross is a mountain bike produced by Honda specifically for downhill racing events. Honda is not a manufacturer of bicycles and this bike is not commercially available to the general public. It was introduced in the 2004 racing season by the Team G Cross Honda who competed in the NORBA and Mountain Bike World Cup points series races.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Electronic gear-shifting system</span> Method of changing gears on a bicycle

An electronic gear-shifting system is a method of changing gears on a bicycle, which enables riders to shift with electronic switches instead of using conventional control levers and mechanical cables. The switches are connected by wire or wirelessly to a battery pack and to a small electric motor that drives the derailleur, switching the chain from cog to cog. An electronic system can switch gears faster and, because the system does not use Bowden cables and can calibrate itself, it may require less maintenance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bicycle drivetrain systems</span> Systems used to transmit power to bicycles and other human-powered vehicles

Bicycle drivetrain systems are used to transmit power on bicycles, tricycles, quadracycles, unicycles, or other human-powered vehicles from the riders to the drive wheels. Most also include some type of a mechanism to convert speed and torque via gear ratios.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Schlumpf Drive</span>

A Schlumpf Drive is a two-speed planetary gear assembly for use on bicycles and unicycles. It is distinct from other bicycle planetary gear assemblies in that it is located behind the chainring rather than in the rear hub. A push-button on each side of the axle allows the rider to switch between high and low ratios. These are operated by the rider's heel.

References

  1. ↑ Dylan H. Brown (June 3, 2014). "Preview: Nicolai Bikes Available in the U.S." Bike. Retrieved 2015-03-22. Nicolai's gearbox bikes have also been popular.
  2. ↑ Sven Martin (February 17, 2014). "Zerode's Prototype Full Carbon 27.5 Gearbox Trail Bike". VitalMTB. Retrieved 2015-03-22. Zerode founder, Rob Metz, built this incredible prototype carbon gearbox trail bike in his garage.
  3. 1 2 Bryan Betts (February 18, 2015). "Bicycle gearbox project shifts to top speed with CNC prototyping". The Institute of Engineering and Technology . Retrieved 2015-03-22. The Efneo gearbox packs a three-speed planetary design into the same volume as the triple-chainring it replaces.
  4. ↑ Ben Coxworth (October 7, 2014). "Efneo gearbox is made to replace a bike's front derailleur". GizMag. Retrieved 2015-03-22.
  5. ↑ Ben Coxworth (July 10, 2014). "Nuseti mountain bike features a sealed drivetrain". GizMag. Retrieved 2015-03-22. Both the gearbox and the chain are sealed against water and outside contaminants, plus they're kept lubricated by separate sealed-in oil baths. This means that riders won't be exposed to greasy crud, and won't need to frequently clean or lube the drivetrain.
  6. ↑ Robert Annis (March 16, 2014). "German Gearbox Makes An NAHBS Splash On Reeb Mountain Bike". Bike. Retrieved 2015-03-22. They toyed with the idea of an internal rear hub, but didn't like the idea of adding additional weight to the rear of the bike.
  7. 1 2 3 Ben Coxworth (March 13, 2013). "Pinion sealed gearbox offers an alternative to those darn derailleurs". GizMag. Retrieved 2015-03-22. [Hub gears] add revolving weight, and that weight is added in the back of the bike – not low and in the middle, where you want it.
  8. ↑ Berto, Frank J. (2008) [2000]. The Dancing Chain: History and Development of the Derailleur Bicycle (3rd ed.). Cycle Publishing/Van der Plas Publications. pp. 39–47. ISBN   978-1-892495-59-4.
  9. ↑ Berto, Frank J. (2016) [2000]. The Dancing Chain: History and Development of the Derailleur Bicycle (5th ed.). Cycle Publishing/Van der Plas Publications. ISBN   978-1-892495-77-8 . Retrieved May 30, 2017.
  10. ↑ "1936 Adler Drei-Gang Typ 155". The Online Bicycle Museum. Archived from the original on 2015-03-09. Retrieved 2015-03-22. With its automobile-style gear-stick, the Adler Drie-Gang (it means '3-Speed') has a most distinctive appearance. It was Germany's best-selling bottom-bracket-geared bicycle.
  11. 1 2 Richard Cunningham (October 5, 2004). "Hayes to Market Chain-Driven Gearbox System". Mountain Bike Action. Retrieved 2015-03-22. The PeteSpeed patented gearbox is actually a small derailleur that is packed into machined-aluminum housing, mounted in the frame near the bottom bracket area.
  12. 1 2 Jez Loftus (October 23, 2007). "Honda gearbox revealed". BikeRadar. Archived from the original on 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2015-03-22. The system basically comprises of a drive crank, chained through what looks to be a reworked derailleur running onto a regular cassette.
  13. ↑ Davis, Alan (August 13, 2008). "Previewed: Unveiling Truvativ's Hammerschmidt". bikemagazine. Retrieved 2009-12-08.
  14. ↑ "Schlumpf Innovations" . Retrieved 2010-05-05.
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