in message <[email hidden]>, Alan Braggins
(') said:Every now and again the subject of why single sided "forks" are good
comes up, often with an observation that it would be nice if there was
such a thing as a hub gear usable in a single sided rear wheel, and
that such a bike ought to have an integrated structural chaincase.
http://www.cyclelicio.us/2007/08/cannondale-folding-bicycle.html
It's a prototype with a modified 9 speed SRAM iMotion hub (and "Righty"
front fork), but allegedly might go into production depending on dealer
reaction.
I've been saying this for a while: that's the future. Totally enclosed
drive chain running inside a structural monoblade. The only ways in which
this fails to love up to what I've been proposing is that the wheels
aren't interchangeable, and that the brakes are mounted directly on the
wheels, not on inner hubs.
Easier to change tyres; easier to change/fit/remove wheels; brakes aren't
affected by replacement of wheel; clean to ride; extended transmission
life/longer service interval/less risk of transmission damage; potentially
significantly lighter because you lose a lot of redundant structure.
--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/
;; If you're doing this for fun, do what seems fun. If you're
;; doing it for money, stop now.
;; Rainer Deyke