Cycling Equipment · Public discussion

Suntour/Browning Electric Cranks - Hinged Chainrings!

B. Sanders · 2003-06-24T06:30:33+00:00

Here's something you don't see every day... http://tinyurl.com/f3m3 From the Ebay auction posting: "Suntour/Browning electrically shifting crankset. Instead of utilizing a front derraileur to shift between chainrings, this crankset actually has hinged chainrings that allow for the chain to shift from one chainring to the other. Browning spent many years and several million dollars developing this crankset and a similarly functioning rear cogset. This crankset is the result of their partnership with Suntour back in the early '90s. This is one of the trickest, most esoteric bicycle parts you will ever see. " "The mechanisms and function of this system are pretty amazing. Years ago my framebuilding shop was sent pre-production mechanical and electric versions of this crank and everyone who rode it was amazed at how quick and smooth the front shifting was. Even under high load situations (like climbing a steep hill and shifting into the small chainring) this baby just popped the chain right where you wanted it. I can assure you that you'll never see many (if any) of these rare cranksets available for sale so bid early and often if you want to add this shining star to your collection of cool bike stuff. The original instruction manual is included. A bottom bracket assembly is not included." Wow! I think he's right: This is one of the weirdest bike components I've ever seen. Can't be too many of these around. Barry (no, I'm not a shill - just very intrigued)

Started by B. Sanders · 24 June 2003 · Last activity 26 June 2003 · 10 posts · 1,118 views

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01 / Original postSuntour/Browning *Electric* Cranks - Hinged Chainrings!B. Sanders · 24 Jun 2003 02 / This pagePosts 1–10Page 1 of 1 · chronological order 03 / Latest replyPost #10Mark · 26 Jun 2003

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Original section: Cycling Equipment
Published: 24 June 2003
Last activity: 26 June 2003
Original author: B. Sanders
Posts: 10
Discussion status: Public discussion
Total views: 1,118
Views / 30 days: 0
Topics: Bottom brackets

The navigation and discussion metadata provide context. Posts remain in their original chronological order.

Original post
B. Sanders
Archived post

24 June 2003, 06:30 UTC #1

Here's something you don't see every day...
tinyurl.comf3m3
From the Ebay auction posting:
"Suntour/Browning electrically shifting crankset. Instead of utilizing a front derraileur to shift
between chainrings, this crankset actually has hinged chainrings that allow for the chain to shift
from one chainring to the other. Browning spent many years and several million dollars developing
this crankset and a similarly functioning rear cogset. This crankset is the result of their
partnership with Suntour back in the early '90s. This is one of the trickest, most esoteric bicycle
parts you will ever see. "
"The mechanisms and function of this system are pretty amazing. Years ago my framebuilding shop was
sent pre-production mechanical and electric versions of this crank and everyone who rode it was
amazed at how quick and smooth the front shifting was. Even under high load situations (like
climbing a steep hill and shifting into the small chainring) this baby just popped the chain right
where you wanted it. I can assure you that you'll never see many (if any) of these rare cranksets
available for sale so bid early and often if you want to add this shining star to your collection of
cool bike stuff. The original instruction manual is included. A bottom bracket assembly is not
included."
Wow! I think he's right: This is one of the weirdest bike components I've ever seen. Can't be too
many of these around.
Barry
(no, I'm not a shill - just very intrigued)

Report
Gary Young
Archived post

24 June 2003, 16:00 UTC #2

"B. Sanders" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...
Quoted message said:
Here's something you don't see every day...
tinyurl.comf3m3
From the Ebay auction posting:
"Suntour/Browning electrically shifting crankset. Instead of utilizing a front derraileur to shift
between chainrings, this crankset actually has hinged chainrings that allow for the chain to shift
from one chainring to the other. Browning spent many years and several million dollars developing
this crankset and a similarly functioning rear cogset. This crankset is the result of their
partnership with Suntour back in the early '90s. This is one of the trickest, most esoteric
bicycle parts you will ever see. "
"The mechanisms and function of this system are pretty amazing. Years ago my framebuilding shop
was sent pre-production mechanical and electric versions of this crank and everyone who rode it
was amazed at how quick and smooth the front shifting was. Even under high load situations (like
climbing a steep hill and shifting into the small chainring) this baby just popped the chain right
where you wanted it. I can assure you that you'll never see many (if any) of these rare cranksets
available for sale so bid early and often if you want to add this shining star to your collection
of cool bike stuff. The original instruction manual is included. A bottom bracket assembly is not
included."
Wow! I think he's right: This is one of the weirdest bike components I've ever seen. Can't be too
many of these around.
Barry
(no, I'm not a shill - just very intrigued)
I think Browning is still trying to sell this idea:
browningcomponent.comabout.php

Report
Jasper Janssen
Archived post

24 June 2003, 19:00 UTC #3

(Gary Young) said:
"B. Sanders" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
"Suntour/Browning electrically shifting crankset. Instead of utilizing a
Quoted message said:
I think Browning is still trying to sell this idea:
And just think, you could be shooting your .357 Browning semiauto from your Browning geared bike.
Especially good for Spike Bike fans.
Jasper

Report
Bobqzzi
Archived post

24 June 2003, 21:30 UTC #4

Jasper Janssen said:
(Gary Young) said:
"B. Sanders" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
"Suntour/Browning electrically shifting crankset. Instead of utilizing a
Quoted message said:
I think Browning is still trying to sell this idea:
And just think, you could be shooting your .357 Browning semiauto from your Browning geared bike.
Especially good for Spike Bike fans.
Jasper

Uh..that's 9mm Browning semi-auto. .357 is a revolver round, not often found in automatics, and not
at all in a Browning designed gun.

Report
Lee Bower
Archived post

24 June 2003, 23:00 UTC #5

I remember these. They were marketing them to BMXers in the mid 80s. At the time, they were lever
activated (usually on the left side of the bars).
Lee Bower
"B. Sanders" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Here's something you don't see every day...
tinyurl.comf3m3
From the Ebay auction posting:
"Suntour/Browning electrically shifting crankset. Instead of utilizing a front derraileur to shift
between chainrings, this crankset actually has hinged chainrings that allow for the chain to shift
from one chainring to the other. Browning spent many years and several million dollars

developing
Quoted message said:
this crankset and a similarly functioning rear cogset. This crankset is

the
Quoted message said:
result of their partnership with Suntour back in the early '90s. This is

one
Quoted message said:
of the trickest, most esoteric bicycle parts you will ever see. "
"The mechanisms and function of this system are pretty amazing. Years ago

my
Quoted message said:
framebuilding shop was sent pre-production mechanical and electric

versions
Quoted message said:
of this crank and everyone who rode it was amazed at how quick and smooth the front shifting was.
Even under high load situations (like climbing a steep hill and shifting into the small chainring)
this baby just popped

the
Quoted message said:
chain right where you wanted it. I can assure you that you'll never see

many
Quoted message said:
(if any) of these rare cranksets available for sale so bid early and often if you want to add this
shining star to your collection of cool bike

stuff.
Quoted message said:
The original instruction manual is included. A bottom bracket assembly is not included."
Wow! I think he's right: This is one of the weirdest bike components

I've
Quoted message said:
ever seen. Can't be too many of these around.
Barry
(no, I'm not a shill - just very intrigued)

Report
Jeff Wills
Archived post

25 June 2003, 00:30 UTC #6

"B. Sanders" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>... <snip>
Quoted message said:

Wow! I think he's right: This is one of the weirdest bike components I've ever seen. Can't be too
many of these around.
Barry
Heck, you think that's weird- take a look through here:
classicrendezvous.comRarest main.htm
Jeff "When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro." Wills

Report
Jasper Janssen
Archived post

25 June 2003, 00:30 UTC #7

bobqzzi said:
On Tue, 24 Jun 2003 18:13:54 GMT, Jasper Janssen <[email hidden]> wrote:
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
And just think, you could be shooting your .357 Browning semiauto from your Browning geared bike.
Especially good for Spike Bike fans.
Quoted message said:
Uh..that's 9mm Browning semi-auto. .357 is a revolver round, not often found in automatics, and not
at all in a Browning designed gun.
Well, okay, I pulled the numbers out of my ass. Still though, isn't .357 the same as 9 mm? It works
out to the same dimension on my calculator, to a reasonable accuracy.. (ie, accuracy at least
greater than manufacturing tolerances used to be on either of these back when they influenced each
other into being the same measurement)
Jasper

Report
A Muzi
Archived post

25 June 2003, 06:00 UTC #8

"B. Sanders" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Here's something you don't see every day...
tinyurl.comf3m3
From the Ebay auction posting:
"Suntour/Browning electrically shifting crankset. Instead of utilizing a front derraileur to shift
between chainrings, this crankset actually has hinged chainrings that allow for the chain to shift
from one chainring to the other. Browning spent many years and several million dollars

developing
Quoted message said:
this crankset and a similarly functioning rear cogset. This crankset is

the
Quoted message said:
result of their partnership with Suntour back in the early '90s. This is

one
Quoted message said:
of the trickest, most esoteric bicycle parts you will ever see. "
"The mechanisms and function of this system are pretty amazing. Years ago

my
Quoted message said:
framebuilding shop was sent pre-production mechanical and electric

versions
Quoted message said:
of this crank and everyone who rode it was amazed at how quick and smooth the front shifting was.
Even under high load situations (like climbing a steep hill and shifting into the small chainring)
this baby just popped

the
Quoted message said:
chain right where you wanted it. I can assure you that you'll never see

many
Quoted message said:
(if any) of these rare cranksets available for sale so bid early and often if you want to add this
shining star to your collection of cool bike

stuff.
Quoted message said:
The original instruction manual is included. A bottom bracket assembly is not included."
Wow! I think he's right: This is one of the weirdest bike components

I've
Quoted message said:
ever seen. Can't be too many of these around.
Peter Grisley was involved in the groundwork and they really did shift perfectly. "Several million"
dollars in development seems. . . fancifully high (but I don't know that for a fact). There were at
least a few dozen of these floating around at one time on sample bikes including one of our
TerraTechs.
--
Andrew Muzi yellowjersey.orgyellowjersey.org Open every day since 1 April 1971

Report
John McGraw
Archived post

25 June 2003, 08:30 UTC #9

[email hidden] (Jeff Wills) wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...
Quoted message said:
"B. Sanders" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>... <snip>
Quoted message said:

Wow! I think he's right: This is one of the weirdest bike components I've ever seen. Can't be
too many of these around.
Barry
Heck, you think that's weird- take a look through here:
classicrendezvous.comRarest main.htm
Sheldon has to be lurking somewhere in the background.

Report
Mark
Archived post

26 June 2003, 05:00 UTC #10

Peter Grizzley has his own bike line now and is equipping them with the Browning system. The bikes
are aimed at commuter European's and are pretty pricey, however the Browning system does work
remarkably well.
"A Muzi" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
"B. Sanders" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Here's something you don't see every day...
tinyurl.comf3m3
From the Ebay auction posting:
"Suntour/Browning electrically shifting crankset. Instead of utilizing a front derraileur to
shift between chainrings, this crankset actually has hinged chainrings that allow for the chain
to shift from one chainring

to
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
the other. Browning spent many years and several million dollars

developing
Quoted message said:
this crankset and a similarly functioning rear cogset. This crankset is

the
Quoted message said:
result of their partnership with Suntour back in the early '90s. This is

one
Quoted message said:
of the trickest, most esoteric bicycle parts you will ever see. "
"The mechanisms and function of this system are pretty amazing. Years

ago
Quoted message said:
my
Quoted message said:
framebuilding shop was sent pre-production mechanical and electric

versions
Quoted message said:
of this crank and everyone who rode it was amazed at how quick and

smooth
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
the front shifting was. Even under high load situations (like climbing a steep hill and shifting
into the small chainring) this baby just popped

the
Quoted message said:
chain right where you wanted it. I can assure you that you'll never see

many
Quoted message said:
(if any) of these rare cranksets available for sale so bid early and

often
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
if you want to add this shining star to your collection of cool bike

stuff.
Quoted message said:
The original instruction manual is included. A bottom bracket assembly

is
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
not included."
Wow! I think he's right: This is one of the weirdest bike components

I've
Quoted message said:
ever seen. Can't be too many of these around.
Peter Grisley was involved in the groundwork and they really did shift perfectly. "Several
million" dollars in development seems. . . fancifully high (but I don't know that for a fact).
There were at least a few dozen

of
Quoted message said:
these floating around at one time on sample bikes including one of our TerraTechs.
--
Andrew Muzi yellowjersey.orgyellowjersey.org Open every day since 1 April 1971

Report

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