Skinny Tire AH
This ain't all folks! Skater368
- Joined
- Oct 30, 2010
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I got to demo a bike with a Rohloff internally geared hub over the weekend. It has a Gates Carbon Drive, rather than a chain also. My Tour Divide attempt taught me some valuable lessons about reliability vs weight. Sometimes a bit more weight has an advantage.
This demo bike is some cheap German steel frame. It was very heavy. I think my build, a Vassago Ti HT frame with carbon wheels, tubeless with light S-Works tires will liven it up a bit.
The Gates Drive was super efficient and quiet. The Rohloff is a very interesting unit, 14 speeds, shifts seamlessly (once you learn how to shift with a momentary pause in power) Advantages; No chain, no links, no front or rear derailleurs. No chain lube, no chain tool, no front shifter. Carrying a spare belt perhaps.
Did the same 19.9 mile loop on both bikes, conditions were the same, I felt "about" the same, output wise.
Saturday, Rohloff 10.9 MPH
Sunday, S-Works 11.3 MPH
I think a lightened up Rohloff bike with a Ti frame, a 11.1 would be no problem.
Steve
This demo bike is some cheap German steel frame. It was very heavy. I think my build, a Vassago Ti HT frame with carbon wheels, tubeless with light S-Works tires will liven it up a bit.
The Gates Drive was super efficient and quiet. The Rohloff is a very interesting unit, 14 speeds, shifts seamlessly (once you learn how to shift with a momentary pause in power) Advantages; No chain, no links, no front or rear derailleurs. No chain lube, no chain tool, no front shifter. Carrying a spare belt perhaps.
Did the same 19.9 mile loop on both bikes, conditions were the same, I felt "about" the same, output wise.
Saturday, Rohloff 10.9 MPH
Sunday, S-Works 11.3 MPH
I think a lightened up Rohloff bike with a Ti frame, a 11.1 would be no problem.
Steve
