NuVinci Chapter 11

[anotherkiwi]

http://www.bike-eu.com/sales-trends/nieuws/2018/2/fallbrook-nuvinci-announces-chapter-11-bankruptcy-proceedings-10133012

The new CEO says: " We are closer than ever to a future where NuVinci is the mechanical standard to improve any system with an engine, pump, motor, or geared transmission system."

By eating up 15% of power you improve an engine? I really am getting old...

 

[flecc]

And NuVinci's financial difficulties are not the only hub gear trouble.

SRAM are stopping production of their 8 and 9 speed hubs. Made in Taiwan with difficult exchange rates they can't compete in Europe with Shimano's 7 speed which is currently made in the euro area.

More information on this link

Though why anyone would want to use the old less efficient 7 speed instead of Shimano's far better 8 speed hubs I can't fathom. I suppose it's low price before quality yet again, the modern disease.
.

 

[Trevormonty]

And NuVinci's financial difficulties are not the only hub gear trouble.

SRAM are stopping production of their 8 and 9 speed hubs. Made in Taiwan with difficult exchange rates they can't compete in Europe with Shimano's 7 speed which is currently made in the euro area.

More information on this link

Though why anyone would want to use the old less efficient 7 speed instead of Shimano's far better 8 speed hubs I can't fathom. I suppose it's low price before quality yet again, the modern disease.
.

For commuter ebikes which is where lot of 7 spds are used, efficiency is not big issue. Users are more interested low maintenance and option to change gears while stopped. Clean fully enclosed chainguard is also big plus.

For most cities gear range of 7 spd is more than enough.

 

[anotherkiwi]

For commuter ebikes which is where lot of 7 spds are used, efficiency is not big issue. Users are more interested low maintenance and option to change gears while stopped. Clean fully enclosed chainguard is also big plus.

For most cities gear range of 7 spd is more than enough.

That is what people have been lead to believe, efficiency is a big issue even for commuters. For a commuter efficiency is squeezing every last Wh out of the battery, so that you don't have to charge at both ends of a commute for example.

 

[flecc]

For commuter ebikes which is where lot of 7 spds are used, efficiency is not big issue. Users are more interested low maintenance and option to change gears while stopped. Clean fully enclosed chainguard is also big plus.

For most cities gear range of 7 spd is more than enough.

Agreed 7 is enough, but the three advantages you list are just as true of the superior 8 speed hub and efficiency is always important.
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[Trevormonty]

That is what people have been lead to believe, efficiency is a big issue even for commuters. For a commuter efficiency is squeezing every last Wh out of the battery, so that you don't have to charge at both ends of a commute for example.

Most commuters only do a few kms round trip where range is never issue even in turbo mode.

 

[flecc]

Most commuters only do a few kms round trip where range is never issue even in turbo mode.

I just checked where you are. Clearly it wasn't going to be 400 square mile London!

Even our unpowered cyclists often do very long commutes.
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[Trevormonty]

I just checked where you are. Clearly it wasn't going to be 400 square mile London!

Even our unpowered cyclists often do very long commutes.
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The main market for the ebikes in europe that use 7spd is typically Netherlands, Denmark where hills are almost non exist.

40km round trip is no problem for 400wh battery bosch battery in these conditions especially when limited to 25km/h.