Constantly Variable Planetary Gear

[Black Sheep]

more like a grip shift friction shifter, except you'll never get the not quite in gear rattle or slip

 

[Davidc]

Yes, excellent.
Although, i do sort of like the concept, you dont get a big jump between gears, can just have a smaller one.
But, surely if you want to change to a lower gear/higher gear fast, it wont be so good because you will twist either too far/too little.

You probably haven't met/ used friction shifters for deraillleurs. With those, and a few hours riding, almost everyone could go straight to any gear, and compensate for the chainring selection at the same time. That was using levers.

I suspect that provided the twist grip has a means for the rider to feel where it is the amount ot twist will be very precise.

It was almost everyone - the rest never got the hang of it, so no doubt some wouldn't with these.

 

[Black Sheep]

With those [friction shifters], and a few hours riding, almost everyone could go straight to any gear, and compensate for the chainring selection at the same time. That was using levers.

indeed, mine is on the down tube but i've learnt to shift from 3rd to 4th or 5th using my knee while sprinting

still working on changing down

 

[Davidc]

indeed, mine is on the down tube but i've learnt to shift from 3rd to 4th or 5th using my knee while sprinting

still working on changing down

I put a 7 speed cassette and freehub, made up with a 27" rim, on a Peugeot bike years ago. With that I couldn't quite hit the positions 100% on 2nd 5th or 6th - often had to adjust to stop the chain clicking. I think above 7 indexing is needed.

With a contiuous system similar errors should have very little effect.

 

[Joe24]

You probably haven't met/ used friction shifters for deraillleurs. With those, and a few hours riding, almost everyone could go straight to any gear, and compensate for the chainring selection at the same time. That was using levers.

I suspect that provided the twist grip has a means for the rider to feel where it is the amount ot twist will be very precise.

It was almost everyone - the rest never got the hang of it, so no doubt some wouldn't with these.

Nope, never rode wit friction shifters.
I just thought that because you can adjust the gear slightly, you might do it too far or too little.
But i guess that as you say, you will get used to it fine and soon get the hang of it.

 

[Arch]

I just thought that because you can adjust the gear slightly, you might do it too far or too little.

There are lots of situations where humans use physical movement to make minute and accurate adjustments, almost instinctively. I bet you can walk at any pace you choose, and step to run at any pace you choose, without overcompensating and having to 'change' back.... Or draw a line between two dots without overshooting....

Some people just are clumsy and hamfisted of course, but most of us can probably manage very delicate movements with minimal mistakes.

 

[Joe24]

There are lots of situations where humans use physical movement to make minute and accurate adjustments, almost instinctively. I bet you can walk at any pace you choose, and step to run at any pace you choose, without overcompensating and having to 'change' back.... Or draw a line between two dots without overshooting....

Some people just are clumsy and hamfisted of course, but most of us can probably manage very delicate movements with minimal mistakes.

Arch, its 9:21 and you expect me to understand that

 

[bikepete]

The Velo Vision review is up (free :-) here:

http://www.velovision.com/mag/issue29/vv29hubgears.pdf

Basically it did feel a bit draggy and the range in limited, but on the plus side it's totally bombproof against unskilled users, so even in its current state would be great for hire bikes and workbikes.

 

[Arch]

Arch, its 9:21 and you expect me to understand that

My dear, I've known several men capable of understanding the principles of delicate and precise physical movement, at any time of day or night....

Mind you, you're young, aren't you....

 

[mickle]

^^^ Tee hee!

 

[Arch]

^^^ Tee hee!

I'm mean, aren't I?