Transmission / Suspension
 · lowest score
· highest score
· Hardtail with derailleur based drivetrain
· Full suspension with derailleur based drivetrain
· Hardtail with internally geared hub
· Full suspension bicycle, internal hub transmission
· Brooklyn
· GT
· Kestrel / NICOLAI Nucleon DH
· HONDA
· NICOLAI Nucleon TFR
· Hardtail G-Boxx
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Hardtail with derailleur based drivetrain
The drawing below depicts a derailleur based or conventional drivetrain system, in this case on a hardtail frame. The bottom bracket is an integral part of the main frame where the crankarms and chainrings are mounted. A chain is used to drive the rear wheel while different sized cog sets provide an overall change in gearing ratios. A derailleur (front and rear) is used to move the chain from one cog set to the next.
 Benefits
· you can use classic components
· light weight
· complete freedom in overall frame design
 Limitations
· relative high maintenance and continuous adjustments on the drivetrain are required on a normal basis
· prone to wear and tear
· not platform compatible
· change of gears without moving of crankarms is impossible
· chain device is needed for extreme conditions
Example: Specialized Stumpjumper
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Full suspension with derailleur based drivetrain
The drawing depicts a classic chain based drivetrain system. Crankarms mounted to a centrally located bottom bracket transfer power to the rear wheel via a chain which in turn rotates a set of cogs mounted on the rear hub. Gear changes are accomplished by using a derailleur to move the chain from one cog set to the next. A front derailleur can also be used; in this case the chain can be moved over up to three different sized sprockets.
Benefits
· low unsprung weight
· large selection of available components
· relatively light overall weight
· freedom to design virtually any style front or rear section
Limitations
· not platform compatible
· relatively high amount of chain growth during suspension compression
· high amount of wear and tear
· chain tension device is necessary
· non optimal wheel path
· gear change is impossible without pedaling
· chain derailment possible
Example: Cannondale Super V
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Hardtail with internally geared hub
The drawing below depicts an internally geared hub drivetrain system. The primary drive is a chain which transfers power to the rear wheel. The bottom bracket is an integral part of the main frame.
Benefits
· low maintenance of the internal hub
· changing of gears without pedalling is possible
· chain will not derail
· freedom to choose the overall design of the frame
· use of classic components is possible
· no need for a chain retention device
Limitations
· high mass rear wheel
· not platform compatible
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Full suspension bicycle, internal hub transmission
The drawing below depicts an internal hub drive train system. The bottom bracket is connected via chain drive to the rear wheel - the bottom bracket is still an integral part of the main frame.
Benefits
· very little maintenance is required to keep the system running
· changing gears without pedalling is possible
· derailing of chain is an improvement upon the cog setup
· internal hub transmission is compatible with existing frame designs
· front and rear section of the frame is completely customizable, i.e. Single pivot, multi pivot, etc.
· use of classic / standard components is possible
Limitations
· a chain tension device is needed
· high sprung weight
· non optimal rear wheel travel path
· not platform compatible
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Brooklyn
Bike with primary and secondary chain drive
Brooklyn, standard derailleur based full suspension bicycle. No chain growth during compression.
Benefits
· derailing of chain is an improvement upon the standard cog setup
· high pivot point equals good suspension response
· no chain growth
Limitations
· relative high maintenance and continuous adjustments on the drivetrain are required on a normal basis
· prone to wear and tear
· not platform compatible
· change of gears without moving of crankarms is impossible
· chain device is needed for extreme conditions
· special frame design is required
Example: Brooklyn Machine Works
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GT
The drawing depicts a transmission bike with primary chain drive , and chain growth during compression. A frame mounted transmission is driven by a primary chain drive. A secondary chain drive is used to transfer power to the rear wheel via a single cog set mounted on the rear hub. Typically, modified transmissions which where initially built as hub based transmissions (Rohloff, Shimano), are utilized in this example. The rear swing arm is not concentric to the output sprocket, because of this chain growth is produced when the suspension is compressed.
Benefits
· utilize a low maintenance transmission system
· low unsprung weight
· no chain growth on primary chain drive
· good overall wheel path
· changing gears without pedalling is possible
Limitations
· use of some type of chain tension device is necessary
· relatively high overall weight
· non optimized drivetrain system
· special frame design needed
· small amount of chain growth
Beispiel: GT
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Kestrel / NICOLAI Nucleon DH
The drawing below depicts a transmission bike with primary drive. However, due to the overall design of the frame there is no chain growth; the rear swing arm pivots around the centre of the transmission.
Benefits
· low maintenance transmission
· no need for chain tension device
· suspension is free of pedalling action influences
· low unsprung weight
· good wheel path
Limitations
· chain is open to outside influences; dirt, sand, etc.
· not platform compatible
· special frame design needed
Example: KESTREL, NICOLAI Nucleon DH
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HONDA
The below drawing depicts a transmission bike without a primary drive. The secondary drive is open. The bottom bracket is integrated in the transmission, power transfer occurs inside the closed transmission section which is connected to the rear wheel by a chain drive system.
Benefits
· low maintenance transmission
· low unsprung weight
· light weight
· use of simple rear hub possible
· good wheel travel
· changing of gears is possible without pedalling
· platform compatible
Limitations
· need for chain tension device
· secondary drive chain is open to outside influences
· small amount of chain growth
· special framedesign needed
· no shifting while standing still possible
Example: HONDA, EVIL Bikes
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NICOLAI Nucleon TFR
The drawing below depicts a transmission style drivetrain system without the need for a primary drive mechanism. The "classic" bottom bracket is enclosed inside the transmission. The secondary drive is enclosed in the rear swing arm which connects directly to the transmission and is not visible from the outside. The swing arm pivots around the transmission.
Benefits
· no chain growth throughout the wheels travel
· chain retention device is not necessary
· low unsprung weight
· platform compatible
· low maintenance system
· simple rear hub design
· light weight
· design of the front frame is open
· on the fly gear change is possible
Limitations
· rear end is design is not flexible
· use of classic components is not possible
Example: NICOLAI Nucleon TFR
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Hardtail G-Boxx
The drawing below depicts a transmission style drivetrain system without the need for a primary drive mechanism. The "classic" bottom bracket is enclosed inside the transmission. The secondary drive is enclosed in the rear swing arm which connects directly to the transmission and is not visible from the outside.
Benefits
· no need for chain tension device
· platform compatible
· low maintenance transmission
· low overall weight
· eliminates need for complex rear hub
· changing of gears without pedaling is possible
Limitations
· rear end is design is not flexible
· use of classic components is not possible
Example: Evil Internal transmission HT
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