Mountain Cycle?

Que? 

Does this gizmo require any modifications of the BB shell, as with the Schlumf or Hammerschmidt devices?

What are the implications for all these new products if, as seems likely, the standard BB shell dimensions change in the near future?

I'm not up to speed on this ISCG stuff. Are most frames coming with the mounts now, or only ones aimed at people who'd want chain retention devices as standard?

What about these? I'm assuming they mount in place of a spacer on an HTII BB, but what stops them rotating under load (I assume the Hammerschmidt and B-Boxx do apply load)?

Hey, Dave, you need to go and find Mountain Cycle, IWH said so

Are most frames coming with the mounts now, or only ones aimed at people who'd want chain retention devices as standard?

The latter at the moment, although it's a fairly easy addition at point of manufacture so I'd expect them to become more prevalent on more ordinary bikes so they can spec Hammerschmidt as OE. And yes, they do apply load to the mounts, so an add-on plate almost certainly won't work. Although it's amazing what you can do with epoxy resin

three planetary gearboxes in quick succession

Three in 60 years doesn't sound all that quick  

Here's a pic of the new schlumpf - info as soon as I've made sense of my scribbles

David, nothing of the belt driven Alfine hubbed bikes out there then?

Seems a great idea, if you ask me. Belt driven, two speed crank drive on an 8 speed internal hub.

Seems like it's all gone quiet on the belt-drive front.

I'm not sure that Alfines will take a 22 or 24t chainring, I know that's below the minimum for a Rohloff. It's a nice concept, though (I'd live with a chain, I think...).

I like the idea of a two-speed, too - 2:1 for most things, plus an overdrive for the flat bits - but with all these planetary things that means running 24/12 which seems like a recipe for ring/sprocket wear.