Shaft drive impressions
07-21-08, 09:18 AM
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Shaft drive impressions
Today was my first ride on a Dynamic shaft drive eight speed bike. It employs a Shimano Nexus Premium 8 speed internally geared hub coupled to a shaft drive system. The arrangement is clean, integrated and fairly simple to use. Like any internally geared hub you can shift while stopped. Also like any int. hub, shifting under load isn't recommended. A brief easing of the pressure to the cranks is all that's required for a smooth shift up or down.
There is a noticeable inefficiency in gears 1, 2 and 3. Once past that, it's (mostly) smooth sailing. The drivetrain is quiet and well behaved. In the 18.5 miles I rode this morning I didn't have anything out of the ordinary happen. As a disclaimer, I have another bike with hte 8 speed hub, so I have experience operating one.
What do you all think of this technology? Would you pay the slight premium for an enclosed and (virtually) maintenance free drivetrain like this? What about the look?
There is a noticeable inefficiency in gears 1, 2 and 3. Once past that, it's (mostly) smooth sailing. The drivetrain is quiet and well behaved. In the 18.5 miles I rode this morning I didn't have anything out of the ordinary happen. As a disclaimer, I have another bike with hte 8 speed hub, so I have experience operating one.
What do you all think of this technology? Would you pay the slight premium for an enclosed and (virtually) maintenance free drivetrain like this? What about the look?
Last edited by HelluvaStella; 07-21-08 at 09:20 AM. Reason: Post pics correctly
07-21-08, 09:26 AM
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It does take a little to get past the look of no chain, yet motorbike riders did after BMW introduced drive shaft tech to motorbike work, and then later the same world adapted to belt replacements over chain drives.
Innovation, it is always of interest.
07-21-08, 09:28 AM
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wonder if someone have done it in a fixed gear LATELY
(no, taylor brown era does not count)
(no, taylor brown era does not count)
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07-21-08, 09:29 AM
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I have reviewed the function and it is interesting, and will have its place eventually. The big part of the cost is the hub, and if fitted to the right bike for the individual it will be selected.
It does take a little to get past the look of no chain, yet motorbike riders did after BMW introduced drive shaft tech to motorbike work, and then later the same world adapted to belt replacements over chain drives.
Innovation, it is always of interest.
It does take a little to get past the look of no chain, yet motorbike riders did after BMW introduced drive shaft tech to motorbike work, and then later the same world adapted to belt replacements over chain drives.
Innovation, it is always of interest.
street version of f800's still do chain or belt
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07-21-08, 09:30 AM
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I'm not at all a fan of the look, however I don't like the look of my bike either and I still ride that around the city. My bigger issue is your statement that you can feel the inefficiency in some of the gears, for me that really wouldn't work. I'm someone who actually LIKES doing my regular maintenance, so the only way I'd switch over to a bike like this is if it was more efficient, rather than any issues revolving around maintenance.
07-21-08, 10:45 AM
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I'm on the side of; nice idea but not as good as a chain. With some work (and thermoplastics) you can almost fully enclose a chain drivetrain.
It does look pretty cool and the weird factor certainly turns heads.
It does look pretty cool and the weird factor certainly turns heads.
07-22-08, 05:17 PM
#7
Hello
Perceived Pro:
low maintenance?
higher reliability?
Perceived Con:
efficiency?
weight?
The look of the system does is kinda neutral. If is was any more bulkier it would appear to be inefficient even if it were not.
If the system was efficient as a chain drive and the price was not double a regular drive system AND it was bullet proof. I would want one. I think bicylist are like baseball fans. Try to convince to use aluminium bats in the major leagues.
After shaft drives are on a generation of kids bikes they might be accepted unless they are soooo good that they are used in racing.
low maintenance?
higher reliability?
Perceived Con:
efficiency?
weight?
The look of the system does is kinda neutral. If is was any more bulkier it would appear to be inefficient even if it were not.
If the system was efficient as a chain drive and the price was not double a regular drive system AND it was bullet proof. I would want one. I think bicylist are like baseball fans. Try to convince to use aluminium bats in the major leagues.
After shaft drives are on a generation of kids bikes they might be accepted unless they are soooo good that they are used in racing.
Last edited by zebede; 07-22-08 at 05:30 PM. Reason: oops
07-22-08, 05:59 PM
#8
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As far as I am concerned, a chainguard or chancase is essential. The shaft drive bikes seem to be cheaper than the partially or fully enclosed chain drive bikes, so they might have a niche. It's hard, though, to quarrel with the basic logic of a chain (or belt) drive for a bike.
Paul
Paul
07-22-08, 07:14 PM
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I have one of these and ride it daily to work. Commuting on this has made maintenance easy, though it does have it's imperfections. I am doing an in-depth review of my bike at https://geocities.com/dynamicbikereview@sbcglobal.net/. Please take a look.
Don't buy this if you want the best efficiency. The shaft drive flexes (twists) too much to allow full power to the wheel. In this aspect, the chain wins hands down. But this is if you hammer for a pedaling style. I find I must learn to spin rather than hammer to keep steady torque going through the shaft.
Riders looking for top efficiency can bang on this design until the cows come home. If you are one of the efficiency pirates, please look elsewhere though I encourage those to at least try riding one before passing judgement. Personally, I think it works fine though it does sometimes have it's hiccups.
I bought mine for winter riding. Though Dynamic does not specifically endorse such foolishness they have no problem posting customer testimonials to this use. I got sick and tired of keeping up my chain & derailers last winter and bought this shaft-drive bike for winter commuting.
Don't buy this if you want the best efficiency. The shaft drive flexes (twists) too much to allow full power to the wheel. In this aspect, the chain wins hands down. But this is if you hammer for a pedaling style. I find I must learn to spin rather than hammer to keep steady torque going through the shaft.
Riders looking for top efficiency can bang on this design until the cows come home. If you are one of the efficiency pirates, please look elsewhere though I encourage those to at least try riding one before passing judgement. Personally, I think it works fine though it does sometimes have it's hiccups.
I bought mine for winter riding. Though Dynamic does not specifically endorse such foolishness they have no problem posting customer testimonials to this use. I got sick and tired of keeping up my chain & derailers last winter and bought this shaft-drive bike for winter commuting.
