|
|
Welcome to Velo Vision magazine, covering specialised bikes, cycling as transport and human power. It's a quarterly dose of cycle inspiration.The current issue is Issue 12. The next issue is out early March 2004.
Search news story archive: |
New Sturmey 'Phoenix' 8-speed hub gear details revealedIt's being tested now, and production hubs are expected later this year - but for now, see the pictures and read the specs... Thanks to Sunrace-Sturmey Archer Europe, based in the Netherlands, for these preliminary details, which will be confirmed when the range is officially launched at the Taipei show in April: Development of what is to be known as the 'Phoenix' hub gear started well before the demise of Sturmey Archer and its subsequent takeover and revival by Taiwanese Sunrace. But Sunrace's considerable engineering resources have been applied to continue the work, and bring the 'Phoenix' to production. So, to the numbers. The overall range of the Phoenix isn't stunningly wide - 305% in all. So if you were looking for an affordable alternative to a Rohloff (over 517% range) or a drop-in replacement for a wide-range derailleur system, you'll be out of luck. As it happens, 305% is more or less spot on the same as SRAM's seven-speed hub gear, the S7, at 303%. But where the Phoenix has the edge is in its lovely even set of ratios. As previously reported, there's a set of six closely-spaced ratios in the middle, with extra-low bottom and extra-high top ratios: the steps are: 28% - 13% - 13% - 13% - 13% - 13% - 28% Another thing to note is that bottom gear is direct drive - so all gears above that are stepping the drive up. This has the side-effect that only quite small chairings are needed - or, for small-wheeled bikes, you'll probably be able to get away with fairly normal-sized rings. The shifter is part of the hub, inside the dropouts, rather than using the toggle-chain of past S-A hubs. This should make wheel removal a simpler process. No details as yet about the control lever or twistgrip. The information I have suggests that there will initially be two models: one with built-in 70mm hub brake, and weighing 1750g, and one with a roller brake, at 1450g. I'm not clear as to whether this is Sturmey's own roller brake: perhaps they mean that Shimano's brakes will fit. The hub will be designed to fit into frames with 128mm between the rear dropouts - though spacing it to the MTB standard of 135mm would, I'd imagine, cause no problems. The aluminium hub shell will be drilled for 36 spokes, and with a spoke hole PCD of 89.8mm and flange separation of 66mm, it should be easy enough to build into small-wheeled folder or recumbent wheels. Sturmey have also confirmed that the hub's modular construction could allow them to double the ratios available, creating a 16-speed hub. But that's still some way off, apprently... So is Sunrace-Sturmey on to a winner here? If the price is reasonable, and reliability proves good, then there's no reason why it shouldn't do very well, and it'll be a useful addition to the existing hub gears out there. The prospect of a 16-speed version has more 'I want one' appeal perhaps, but this'll do very nicely for now. We're hoping for an early review in Velo Vision once it's out. The hub should be available via most bike shops later this year. Posted on 16 January 2003 Your comments ...
|