Schlumpf hubs: general discussion

scott_ttocs · August 5, 2011, 11:15am

Nurse Ben:

Actually, I posted a comment earlier about the step increases in typical geared bicycle hubs, the largest being 33% in a three speed hub. Tholub is correct, 50% is a huge jump and not really ideal. Sure, it’s workable, and for some uses not such a problem, but it makes for less than idea gearing off road esp if you want to use a larger wheel like a 29".

I ride a 29er as my primary muni, have done so since this time last year, prior to that it was a 26er. In the past year I have adapted to the larger wheel and for most of my riding it is ideal, only rarely does it feel too big; mostly on tigh technical trails and tight switchbacks.

But now that I’ve adjusted to riding a 29er, I find that the 26er is twitchy, has higher rolling resistance, both of which make for less stability when in high guni gear. If I could have my 29er geared up 33% (38.57") that would be darn close to the same gearing I have on my 26 guni, but with the added benefit of increase stability at high and low gears, plus I’d get a uni I like in low gear

But like Kris said, things ain’t likely to change unless demand goes way up (or something new enters the market).

When I road mountain bikes, my preferred ride was a 29er SS hardtail.

Hi Nurse Ben,

I am new to Schlumpfing, but I am enjoying it, even if I can still make better progress on a normal hub.

You have not always been so bullish on 29" unicycles. Perhaps you are just inconstant in your (unicycle) relationships?

Here is an old post where you express some disfavor for a 29" muni:

As you get more experienced with a Schlumpf, you may grow to like it (even with the 1:1.5 gearing.)

I admit that the feeling of kicking a 36" into high gear is very cool, even if my riding is a bit dodgy.

Scott