Eurobike 2008 Report 4: B-Boxx vs HammerSchmidt

They're probably also going to suffer because they don't have the Radness Incarnate that is Greg Herbold working for them. *cough* Mountain Cycle?
Posted: 05/09/2008 15:14

Mountain Cycle?

Que? 

Posted: 05/09/2008 15:23

I just heard they were going to have their new stuff there, that's all. The website is having an update so no details there either. Not complaining about the coverage, or anything
Posted: 05/09/2008 15:35

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?

Posted: 05/09/2008 15:45

Hammerschmidt and B-Boxx both need ISCG mounts to be present, which doesn't really constitute a "modification" unless you don't have any.  I think they'd be able to accommodate a change in BB shell  standard fairly easily, just by changing the backplate bit that bolts on to the frame. Judging by the 2009 kit we've seen so far, moves to a new standard are happening fairly glacially, though
Posted: 05/09/2008 16:08

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)?

Posted: 05/09/2008 16:26

Checked out Schlumpf today, who have had a similiar idea in production for 60 odd years - they've just released a the Mountain Drive which uses the same mounts too. That's three planetary gearboxes in quick succession - this is the biggest trend being set at Eurobike
Posted: 05/09/2008 16:33

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  

Posted: 05/09/2008 16:48

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

Posted: 05/09/2008 17:09

on a similiar note, all the buzz last year was about belt drive bikes. not so this year though...
Posted: 05/09/2008 17:10

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.

Posted: 05/09/2008 17:19

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. 

Posted: 05/09/2008 20:10

I've been toying with this for years - the advantage of the Schlumpf is you've got a big choice of chainring sizes (page down for info) and hence rear cog choice - but you previously needed to either chamfer the BB with a special tool, or bolt on a honking great torque arm. I'd be interested in knowing if the new version is still activated by a heel button, or if they've moved activation to a bar shifter.
Posted: 05/09/2008 20:17

I gather the new one is still a heel button. The Mountain Drive has the advantage of gearing down, although whether that option is still available for the ISCG version I don't know. We'll find out more... Getting ISCG bosses onto a steel frame wouldn't be too much of a challenge, either.
Posted: 05/09/2008 20:22

Now all they need to do is squeeze another 6 or 7 gears in there, letting you put a ss freehub on the back and shifting all the transmission weight to where it should be...
Posted: 05/09/2008 20:35