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CadenceKing
Joined: 13 Jun 2007
Posts: 24
Location: Massachusetts, USA
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 Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 12:57 pm Post subject: NuVinci hubs and shaft drive? |
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Hi,
In a pm from Jacko, he raised the topic of shaft-driven bicycles. (I reckon the blowing sands of Australia  would raise less havoc on an enclosed drive shaft than a chain drive.) Jacko speculated that some future bicycle might combine a NuVinci Hub with the shaft drive.
There's a company near me (Massachusetts) that sells their own line of bicycles with a shaft drive between the crank and the internal-gear hub. It uses two sets of spiral bevel gears and an enclosed driveshaft to transmit torque. I've ridden one of these bicycles and it was just 'okay.' The key advantage is the elimination of the 'greasy' chain with its attendant hazards to calves and clothing. The system is NOT retrofittable to other bikes since the frame must incorporate special bottom bracket and rear dropout designs.
While the shaft-drive concept does work, it would be nicer if it could be easily fitted to the bike of your choice--like the NuVinci hub can. The bicycle industry has evolved into a cool array of interchangeable compnents. Manufacturers and customers can have a blast--swapping around these parts to create bikes for every person and application.
There was no model with the shaft drive which matched my needs and wants. I suspect it will remain a niche market.
I suppose Jacko's vision of a shaft-driven NuVinci would represent the 'ultimate' in sealed drive trains. I'm sure it might be a great solution for some folks. My concerns would be with the lack of parts flexibility and probable difficulty repairing a flat tire with so much hardware at the rear axle. . .
BTW: My solution to the dirty chain 'problem' is to use the wax-based, White Ligttning chain lubricant. I also wear a reflective strap on my right ankle to keep my pants from getting torn/tattooed.
-CadenceKing
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ccarey
Joined: 03 Jun 2008
Posts: 8
Location: 44° 44′ 49″ N · 72° 10′ 24″ W
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| Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 9:44 pm Post subject: |
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| CadenceKing wrote: | | My solution to the dirty chain ‘problem’ is to use the wax-based, White Lightning chain lubricant. I also wear a reflective strap on my right ankle to keep my pants from getting torn/tattooed. |
I rely upon a full chaincase to avoid dirty chains and undesirable trouser alterations. |
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Aeon
Joined: 31 Jan 2008
Posts: 2
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jacko
Joined: 07 Feb 2008
Posts: 5
Location: Perth, Western Australia
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| Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 6:28 am Post subject: |
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Interesting list of shaft drive bike manufacturers. I hadn't heard of Viva before, they have some interesting machines there, pity they don't list more detail on the specifications.
Swapping a NuVinci hub into a shaft drive bike designed around a Shimano Nexus hub might not be that straightforward. The Nexus hub has a built-in freewheel, a 3 spline coaster type sprocket slides on the 6 spline hub drive shaft and is retained with a snap ring. It's the old coaster/3 speed hub arrangement that has been around for many years. I imagine the shaft drive rear gear will be constructed to fit like the 3 spline sprocket, or attach to a suitable adaptor.
My understanding of the NuVinci is that it uses screw-on freewheel/sprocket assembly, so we have to figure out some way to attach that rear gear to the screw-on freewheel and maintain the correct alignment with the drive shaft.
Might need some creative machine shop work to achieve this.
Seems like an interesting project 
Anyone got any ideas how this might be achieved ?
I guess any of the bikes with 700C wheels might be considered to be potential 29ers, I think they are both based on 622mm rims so maybe with an appropriate larger section tyre a 700C becomes a 29er. This is pure guesswork from a strictly 26in/559mm sort of person 
In my experience I wouldn't be inclined to dismiss bikes because of their Taiwanese heritage. It's likely that a lot of the European bikes might be constructed in Taiwan to a Euro company spec. I have a 2007 Trek Nexus 8 bike, a finely constructed,reliable machine, from a well known US company. Absolutely no problems.But look closely at a label on the frame, it says "Constructed in Taiwan for Trek" 
I think the bike quality is down to the spec and the QA required by the brand, which is reflected in the final price. |
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Aeon
Joined: 31 Jan 2008
Posts: 2
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| Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 4:21 am Post subject: |
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| jacko wrote: |
I guess any of the bikes with 700C wheels might be considered to be potential 29ers, I think they are both based on 622mm rims so maybe with an appropriate larger section tyre a 700C becomes a 29er. This is pure guesswork from a strictly 26in/559mm sort of person
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Although 700c tires and 29er tires share a common rim, its the tires that make a 29er. Typically they are much wider, up to 2.55" and their sidewalls are about 1/2 inch deeper than 28" tires (add up both sides of the tire, and you have 29"). Unfortunately, bicycle frames designed for 700c or 28" don't have the necessary clearance to fit a full-sized 29er, even with pinching the chainstays where the tires rub (also dangerous, you weaken the frame).
On a more humorous note, google "36er" and click on images. Could be the next "big thing"!!! |
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jweber
Joined: 15 May 2008
Posts: 1
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| Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 9:40 am Post subject: NuVinci |
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| CandanceKing: I would like to communicate with you directly through jweber@fallbrooktech.com. thanks |
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