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anyone here using a Nuvinci CVPT hub??

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anyone here using a Nuvinci CVPT hub??

Old 11-14-07, 01:34 PM
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anyone here using a Nuvinci CVPT hub??

that's Nuvinci Continuously Variable Planetary Transmission

if so, how do you like it?
I'm seriously considering building a new rear wheel for my commuter and making this hub a part of it. Yes, I am aware it's heavy.
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Old 11-15-07, 01:51 AM
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I had one laced to a 26" wheel. Built a frankenbike with it, mostly like a mountain bike. Didn't know much about bicycles then. Rode trails, roads, about 150 miles total. Decided it was too damn heavy and expensive and I sold it.

Now I know waaaaayyy more about bikes and I kinda wish I hadn't sold it. The hub has some serious merits. I don't think that hub would ever fail. Ever. The ratio range and operation are sweet. If you can deal with the weight of that thing I don't think there is a better hub.

AllenG has a bike with one and he likes it.
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Old 11-15-07, 04:44 AM
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Does anyone make a commuter bike with that hub /

wll
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Old 11-15-07, 08:22 AM
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Originally Posted by wll
Does anyone make a commuter bike with that hub /

wll
Batavus does. Almost any bike shop should be able to order one. I'd suggest calling around.


batavus.com
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Old 11-15-07, 08:23 AM
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Originally Posted by Cody Broken
I had one laced to a 26" wheel. Built a frankenbike with it, mostly like a mountain bike. Didn't know much about bicycles then. Rode trails, roads, about 150 miles total. Decided it was too damn heavy and expensive and I sold it.

Now I know waaaaayyy more about bikes and I kinda wish I hadn't sold it. The hub has some serious merits. I don't think that hub would ever fail. Ever. The ratio range and operation are sweet. If you can deal with the weight of that thing I don't think there is a better hub.

AllenG has a bike with one and he likes it.
thanks. I'll be building a new rear wheel for my 29'er commuter and the Nuvinci will be the main attraction
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Old 11-15-07, 01:03 PM
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Originally Posted by wll
Does anyone make a commuter bike with that hub
ellsworth makes this sweet ride:

https://www.popsci.com/popsci/flat/bo...n/item_98.html
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Old 11-15-07, 01:35 PM
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Originally Posted by photoassign
Just got this month's Popular Science. Hmm, why do I subscribe if its all on line?

$3000!!!

Ok, the hub is neat, but the rest of the bike looks beach-cruiser ordinary. Or is there something else going on?
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Old 11-15-07, 01:42 PM
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Originally Posted by madcap
thanks. I'll be building a new rear wheel for my 29'er commuter and the Nuvinci will be the main attraction

Cool man. Do you have the hub yet? I just ask because that hub really is heavy. My wheel weighed 12 pounds. I'm not trying to warn you away. I'll put it this way, if you don't mind a heavy bike then the Nuvinci hub rocks.

I'm extremely curious as to whether Fallbrooks will come out with a lighter CVT hub. I think they could get away with lighter (weaker) components and still have a bomber hub. Based on my experience I don't think anyone could ride that hub to death. 180mm cranks, 300 pound rider hammering up hills would be nothing to that hub. Just my opinion.

It's likely I'll have a Nuvinci hub bike someday. I just wasn't ready for mine yet.

Last edited by Cody Broken; 11-25-07 at 07:09 PM.
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Old 11-15-07, 01:48 PM
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Originally Posted by Cody Broken
Cool man. Do you have the hub yet? I just ask because that hub really is heavy. My wheel weighed 12 pounds. I'm not trying to warn you away. I'll put it this way, if you don't mind a heavy bike then the Nuvinci hub rocks.
I mind a heavy bike offroad but this is my commuter machine. I don't really mind the weight. I know the hub itself weighs almost 9lbs.

I don't have the hub yet. I work at a shop and our distributor has had several in stock for months and they've just been sitting there all that time. I go to order one today and they're all sold out. D'oh!

Looks like I'll be waiting a little longer for it.
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Old 11-15-07, 01:49 PM
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Originally Posted by MarkS
$3000!!!

Ok, the hub is neat, but the rest of the bike looks beach-cruiser ordinary. Or is there something else going on?
Top quality components across the board + Nuvinci hub + Ellsworth's "boutique bike" cache = $3000

I agree it is a fat price, but I'll totally disagree with you about the frame. That is about as unique a frame style as your are going to get from a bike manufacturer. You would have to see it in person to be able to appreciate it.
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Old 11-15-07, 01:54 PM
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[QUOTE=madcap;5639282]I mind a heavy bike off road but this is my commuter machine. I don't really mind the weight.QUOTE]

Yeah, unfortunately the weight ruins it for off-road applications. But for pavement it has huge potential.

Didn't know you were a bike mech. Since you obviously know your stuff, I'll just be patient and wait for your photos and updates on the build.

Too bad about the wait.
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Old 11-15-07, 01:56 PM
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Does that look like an ordinary beach cruiser?

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Old 11-15-07, 01:57 PM
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Originally Posted by MarkS
$3000!!!

Ok, the hub is neat, but the rest of the bike looks beach-cruiser ordinary. Or is there something else going on?
Well, yes, something else is going on on ebay...
https://cgi.ebay.com/Cadillac-Fleetwo...QQcmdZViewItem
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Old 11-15-07, 02:01 PM
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Originally Posted by rhm
Well, yes, something else is going on on ebay...
https://cgi.ebay.com/Cadillac-Fleetwo...QQcmdZViewItem
that frame must be Chinese uber craptastic considering the Nuvinci retails for $400 by itself
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Old 11-15-07, 02:23 PM
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I run one on a Giant Twist/Lite, an electric assist which I added a XtraCycle kit.
I've gone through several hubs on that bike. Because of the added torque from the electric motor and the weight I put on the long tail very few hubs were able to survive (cracked a SA-8 in half). The NuVinci has been the exception. I would expect it would stand up to the rigors of a motorcycle. Solid as stone and whisper quiet (and no click-clack while coasting). It is heavy but if weight is not a huge factor on your build it is the most resilient hub I've ever owned, even comparing it to several Rohloffs I have.







When you have it built up I would recommend double crossing the spokes. Triple crossing (at least on 26 inch wheels) puts the spokes at a very sharp angle. My Rohloffs are double crossed and have held up very well.

Last edited by Allen; 11-15-07 at 03:36 PM.
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Old 11-15-07, 02:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Cody Broken
Does that look like an ordinary beach cruiser?
Beach cruiser's seem, at least to my untrained eye, to come in a variety of shapes, perhaps because they're not constrained by the weight and strength worries of the DF crowd.

What top quality components would we be talking about? It certainly looks like the Ebay seller has managed to get the same frame design for a lot less.

Its a very nice bike. Just maybe not $2500 nice (discounting the $500 for the hub).
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Old 11-15-07, 02:59 PM
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Originally Posted by rhm
Well, yes, something else is going on on ebay...
https://cgi.ebay.com/Cadillac-Fleetwo...QQcmdZViewItem
At that price, it becomes very tempting. As long as the hub is solid and the frame doesn't fall apart, you could replace the other stuff (what? front wheel? front socket? shifters? seat?) with better componentry as needed and still come out ahead. And you could say your other vehicle is a Cadillac
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Old 11-15-07, 10:45 PM
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Originally Posted by MarkS
At that price, it becomes very tempting. As long as the hub is solid and the frame doesn't fall apart, you could replace the other stuff (what? front wheel? front socket? shifters? seat?) with better componentry as needed and still come out ahead. And you could say your other vehicle is a Cadillac
Buy it. Ride it. Take pictures and post them on this forum.
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Old 11-17-07, 05:57 AM
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Originally Posted by AllenG
Heh -- I like the shifter display.
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Old 11-18-07, 01:52 PM
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I've fitted a NuVinci to my 20" Hammerhead as an experiment.

First off: The hub is really heavy. It's not really an issue when riding but as soon as you pick your bike up (to turn it round or whatever) you notice the extra mass. It's probably more noticeable as it's overhung at the rear end.

Secondly I've had a couple of issues with my hub.

My local bike shop built the wheel up with a 2x pattern at first, resulting in extreme spoke angles and broken spokes after about 2 weeks. The bike shop admitted that they should have built it up as a 1x and did a rebuild for free. The moral of the story is make sure you take the larger diameter of the hub into account when wheel building!

After about a month I noticed some oil weeping from the shift rod. After firing an email to NuVinci they replied that they had some problems and were dispatching a replacement rod. Less than 48 hours after I sent the original email a new part arrived by FEDEX (I live in London!). The modification seemed to be the addition of an extra O ring and the swap took about 5 minutes and cured the problem straight away.

Another month of riding later I noticed more oil, this time weeping from the wavy joint on the non-drive side. Another email to NuVinci got an instant response. Again said they had had some issues and that they would send me a replacement hub!

My hub has been a little problematic, but so far I have been very happy with the support from NuVinci. I'm guessing that the hub I got was a bit of a Friday afternoon job. Hopefully the new hub will be good unit.

Apart from these problems and the weight, I really like the hub. Shifting is smooth and the hub feels rock solid. The efficiency appears to be good, although the extreme ends of the range have a noticeable dip.

I guess that if this hub sells well NuVinci will look to re-engineer a lighter hub with a bigger range. Personally if they can get down to 2kgs and up to 400% I'll bet they'll have a real winner on their hands.
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Old 11-18-07, 11:35 PM
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Originally Posted by OrangeClownBike
I guess that if this hub sells well NuVinci will look to re-engineer a lighter hub with a bigger range. Personally if they can get down to 2kgs and up to 400% I'll bet they'll have a real winner on their hands.
+1. Thanks for sharing your experience, ocb. That is impressive customer service indeed! They are standing behind their product in a big way.
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Old 11-19-07, 08:51 AM
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yes, thanks! I now feel more confident in my future purchase, hopefully by the end of the year.
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Old 11-25-07, 10:49 AM
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Originally Posted by OrangeClownBike
Personally if they can get down to 2kgs and up to 400% I'll bet they'll have a real winner on their hands.
What's the range on this hub?
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Old 11-25-07, 10:58 AM
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Originally Posted by RadioFlyer
What's the range on this hub?
250%
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Old 11-25-07, 02:04 PM
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So is this an internally geared hub? Auto shifting? My simple brain is having a hard time understanding what's so cool about this hub.
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