Sexy little bit of engineering

[Scimitar]

I'd have that if it was on my doorstep.
SHAFT DRIVE mens moutain bike | eBay
And put a front leccy hub in it, of course.

 

[john h]

always liked shaft drive bikes, schwinn do a couple of models.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

I forgot to mention that at the Shanghai show there were quite a few shaft-drive bikes, so could be more common in the future.

 

[KirstinS]

We don't really to worry much about the greater inefficiency on ebikes !

Seen to remember reading 99% for derailleur and 85% for shaft ?

 

[Gdread]

We don't really to worry much about the greater inefficiency on ebikes !

Seen to remember reading 99% for derailleur and 85% for shaft ?

Where would belt drive feature for efficiency? 90%?

 

[ghouluk]

this is a raging argument on the motorcycle forums as well, and we chain folks always quote efficiency, i assume its the same on cycles, all things being perfectly aligned, greased and maintained chain is a bit more efficient, but shaft is maintenance free and more constant. belts sit in the middle, but are cleaner and last longer (not a concern for most cyclists....)

having ssaid that i rode a danish shaft drive bike (thing of beauty, shaft drive was hidden inside the frame) and even in the flatness that is copenhagen i found it horrid to ride - so much torque required to get it going.

 

[flecc]

Yes, chain in perfect condition is so close to 100% efficient the difference doesn't matter. No other drive form gets close.

 

[Scimitar]

this is a raging argument on the motorcycle forums as well, and we chain folks always quote efficiency, i assume its the same on cycles, all things being perfectly aligned, greased and maintained chain is a bit more efficient, but shaft is maintenance free and more constant. belts sit in the middle, but are cleaner and last longer (not a concern for most cyclists....)

having ssaid that i rode a danish shaft drive bike (thing of beauty, shaft drive was hidden inside the frame) and even in the flatness that is copenhagen i found it horrid to ride - so much torque required to get it going.

Well, in my motorcycles, I currently have two shafties and a chainy and the only thing that makes a chain bearable is a Snotoiler - using chainsaw oil, natch.
There's nothing good about a chain on a touring bike - total waste of time, effort, clothing, money, goodwill, etc, etc. It's a drive system that belongs in the dark ages and should have stayed there, along with its greaseball inventor.

 

[Erik]

Well, in my motorcycles, I currently have two shafties and a chainy and the only thing that makes a chain bearable is a Snotoiler - using chainsaw oil, natch.
There's nothing good about a chain on a touring bike - total waste of time, effort, clothing, money, goodwill, etc, etc. It's a drive system that belongs in the dark ages and should have stayed there, along with its greaseball inventor.

I hate chains on motorbikes, I have enough things in my life that make me feel guilty and inadequate, so I don't need a neglected chain to add to my guilty conscience.

The chain lovers are always telling that it's only a matter of lubing the chain a couple of times per week, but I never get around to doing that, and always end up with stiff links and sprockets looking like saw blades.

 

[Gdread]

I spent a whole Saturday (nearly) cleaning the chain set and cassette on my GT last weekend, yuk

 

[KirstinS]

www.dynamicbicycles.com/chainless-technology/shaft_v_chain.php

Apparently shaft is 90% and chain is 75% to 95% !!!

Id struggle to make a chain only 75% efficient even I I tried !

 

[MikeyBikey]

I think all the advantages of shaft drive quoted would equally apply to a fully enclosed chain, driving a hubgear or derailleur. To run exposed, oiled mechanisms inches from ground, spraying them with rain, dirt, etc, from the wheels is bonkers. But we, and the makers all do it

 

[Scimitar]

Id struggle to make a chain only 75% efficient even I I tried !

Have you seen cwah's chain recently?