RB have had their Gearbox patented and the bike is ready.

nicklouse

info here







on order :twisted:

Big Red S

Only a slightly convoluted chain path....

nicklouse

only slightly :?

Big Red S

It does look like they designed it, tested it and finished it, then noticed that the cranks were still on the bench...

madmole

Just nick a gearbok off one of those kids monkey bikes, half the size and weight!!! and in an oil bath so wont wear

That one has a derailer in its midst, and will trap mud like no tomorrow

nicklouse

Mr Mole it actually has the side plates of so you can look inside.

tommywmb

So there are side playes that cover it all up? Does it use shifters or does it just shift automatically?

Big Red S

I'd hope it's got a shifter. Don't see why they'd make it automatic.

The wires coming out of the front of it in the second picture agree.

tommywmb

Ah didn't see the wires! not really sure quite how you'd make it auto anyways?!

Red Panda

Not meaning to diss an engineering masterpiece but the 2nd piccy down reminds me of a Harley Davidson

Am sure I've seen something similar on the Orange website, well the gearbox idea anyway.

Big Red S

Yeah, gearboxes have been all over the MtB/DH market recently.
Orange, GT, Nicolai, Evil and now RB

nicklouse

RB actually showed there first version almost 3 years ago. and i hear murmers that they were running another update at Schladming......

Red Panda

I'm wondering if it has a standard length chain...if longer, I guess chain stretch might be a problem? Also I'm wondering if it's kind/hard on the chain when shifting.

stickman

Anything that does not have the archaic method of rear derailleurs for chainging gear is a well overdue step forward

Wolf

GT has been selling gearbox bikes for ages. Nicolai too, with Rohloff gearboxes. Me thinks Honda's DH bike is gearboxed too? Good idea, can't wait for it to be aplied to trail bies, and then hopefuly XC!

Marshall

Looks....industrial

clarkson

agreed, i think its a good idea, just needs ot be made lighter for trail and then xc. im still wondering whether it'll catch on.

Red Panda

I bet shimano have some gearbox R&D going on...

sionydwi

How long til there's a viable XC gearbox system? a decade?

stickman

clarkson wrote:

agreed, i think its a good idea, just needs ot be made lighter for trail and then xc. im still wondering whether it'll catch on.

it's all down to what the industry want, not what technology is capable of or what customers want - hub gears were invented in 1902, and the industry only started putting derailleurs on almost evry bike in the 1980s because they are cheaper to make and they wear out so people will always spend money on replacements. We will get gearbox bikes when the industry lets us have them.

schmako

Thats the nicest looking gearbox bike i've seen anyway! The Orange one looked pretty decent too.