I searched the forum, to find mentions, but not actual rider reports, of the Schlumpf BB and crankset. Does anyone actually have one, and if so, which one of the three offered, and is it worth the kala (Hawaiian for money)?

Aloha Maunakea, I use the Schlumpf on two of my Dahons... the most recent is in a Jetstream XP conversion using the new Shimano 'Redband' 8spd hub with a Schlumpf 'SpeedDrive' (1.65/1 overdrive) crankset.. this gives me a completely planetary geartrain, straight chainline, large gear range (over 500%), is smooth, easy shifting and QUIET in operation.... you can think of the 'SpeedDrive' as replacing a 53/32 front chainring setup.. it is a robust unit, simple and repairable if needed, although I haven't heard of any reports of failure and they are said to be very long-lived..

With a small wheeled bike, you likely would not want to go with the'Mountain Drive (2.5/1 Underdrive) as the ratios would be quite low and more suitable for towing heavy loads.. the ' HighSpeed Drive (2.5/1 Overdrive) could be an option depending on what gearing you had in the rear and what overall gear range you were after.. as to worth for the money, in my book it is easily worth the dough if you want extended gear range for a small wheeled folder and where frequent folding could impact cable routings and alignment issues if a multi-ring front der were adapted .. in the US, the 'SpeedDrive' can go around $400 new.. Here's my Dahon Jetstream XP

Bruce

Mahalo, Bruce. I knew that I had read a post on the forum in which someone had a Schlumpf, but couldn't find it.

I plan to put a Schlumpf 1.65:1 and a Nexus8 on my DT FS.

@downtube Yan, do you foresee any problems with that upgrade?

You might also want to checl that double front ring set up (Raphael's or,...?) a lot cheaper and possibly lighter a than Schlumpf.

I have also wondered if i could add a Schlumpf to my Twenty, probably not i guess due to the weird BB shell width and threading.

Re: double chain ring and front derailleur. definitely would be cheaper, and a downtube (in the generic sense) shifting lever for the front derailleur can probably be fitted on the seat tube, even though the seat tube is short.

I run a Schlumf Speed-drive on my GoBike, this is the middle of the range, fit a Mountain-drive if you find you are lacking gears low enough for steep hills, a Speed-drive if you want to add higher gears and a High-speed drive if you've got legs like tree trunks and want to tear up the tarmac at high speed! I still have not got the hang of changing up & down on the fly by the way, maybe with shorter cranks it would be easier (I have smallish feet). I'm thinking of changing to shorter cranks anyway (to help my knees)

@Chop have your taken your bike on the Holyhead/Dublin ferry? if so, did you have to fold it to avoid a charge for it?

Greetings Great Chop! I'm running 152mm cranks on my Jetstream XP Schlumpf coversion basically with an eye to my 'knees' in mind.... you notice the short cranks initially and tend to spin at a higher cadence, also, you pick up some ground clearance in corners.. if you'd like easier shifting, you might look into THESE.


Bruce

I've taken them all many times. The trick is..................................

Drive a Rock & Roll tour bus and fold them up & put them in a side locker! Works like a charm! I've never been charged!

P.S. once you get to the other side watch your bike like a hawk those thieving @*&^%$ have stolen 2 of my folders now!

Bruce,

I've heard a lot of people say that they make it too easy! i.e. you change unintentionally. But thanks for the suggestion.

@ Chop On the Emerald Isle, did the thieves cut locking cables, U bolts, or chains? Is so, do you recall what type was cut... e.g., 10 mm cable? ABUS chain?

On one occasion my £2,500 Rohloff Birdy special was folded in the boot of a Dublin taxi, the driver shot off before I could get it out! The cab company said it could have been anyone! GGGRRR!

I also had a Strida stolen from the locker on my tour bus in Belfast, add to that the fact that I was knocked off my recumbent in Galway (the Irish were taking the piss out of me because I had so many lights on it! I was the only bike I saw that night with lights!)
I am a lot more wary over there now!

I made a note to switch to a motorcycle for the Belfast to Galway to Dubliin part of my next tour.