NuVinci bike hub anyone?

Tiahaar · Post by **Tiahaar** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 10:57 pm

Hey any of you eplayans rode a bike with this new NuVinci hub on it? How did it feel? I'm extreeeemly interested in the concept...super playa bike potential! No gears internal or external, 1st bike scale continuosly variable transmission, new for 2007/8.

http://www.atcnuvinci.com/products_bicycle.php

Zhust · Post by **Zhust** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 6:00 am

Neat idea, but the devil is in the details.

First, the ratio range is 0.5 to 1.75 which is similar to a Shimano 7-speed hub. This is okay for day-to-day use but it gets annoying toward the limit points (i.e. hard to climb steep hills; can't go fast enough on downhills).

But the real killer is this note from the manual:

[quote]Maximum input torque: 135 Nm (100 ft. lbs.) when measured at the
rear input axle. This equates to 260 Nm (192 ft. lbs) when measured
at the crank*
*Based on a Minimum Allowable â€œFront Chain ringâ€

Tiahaar · Post by **Tiahaar** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 2:38 pm

Hmm, interesting! Thanks for the detail hunt jaycerochester! I wonder what the failure mode would be for the hub if overtorqued...it seems to drive by using a hydrostatic oil squeezed between big ball bearings and two outer drive flanges...failure might just mean the balls slip on their drive surfaces rather than shear internal planetary gears like would happen on a Shimano Nexus system...

Post by **mdmf007** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 4:59 pm

probably would explode if over torqued. I mate of mine had a sealed hib on a bike sealed doesnt always mean that. Dust got in there and by day 4 it was making noises, and was totally bound up and a single speed by the end of the week.

draconispax · Post by **draconispax** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 5:01 pm

can some one please explain to me the physics of what a sealed hub is.
how does it work? what does it do? does it taste good?

Post by **mdmf007** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 6:11 pm

Sealed hub is just that - supposed to be dustproof, airtight, and leakproof.
Rarely are they.

Tiahaar · Post by **Tiahaar** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 10:32 pm

very true that mdmf0007. the Nexus 7 internal on my trike survived this year Ok but I'm afraid to open it up to clean it! all those gears and bits oh my...

However....the bearings of the 4 bikes I brought home (a neighbor camp did not want them anymore as they were unrideable) were absolutely packed with playa dust, easily blown in past the 'dust seals'. Repairs are ongoing...

wedeliver · Post by **wedeliver** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 12:17 am

I had a schwinn bike a long long time ago (early 60's) that had a two speed bendix gear.. I think it looked like the one in the picture in the link

I rode in the mud, dirt everything and I don't recall the gears ever having a problem. I think I bent the frame going over a big jump.

http://hubstripping.wordpress.com/2007/ ... he-future/

Dork · Post by **Dork** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 8:51 am

My Nexus 7 hub has been with me the last 2 years. I've never cleaned it or done any other maintenance to it and it still works like new. The rest of the bike hasn't fared quite as well - rusted chain, taco'd front wheel after going over a sweet jump too fast at the end of year one.

I loaned an old Schwinn 3-speed to someone this year and it didn't have any problems either.

wedeliver · Post by **wedeliver** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 10:27 am

Dork wrote:My Nexus 7 hub has been with me the last 2 years. I've never cleaned it or done any other maintenance to it and it still works like new. The rest of the bike hasn't fared quite as well - rusted chain, taco'd front wheel after going over a sweet jump too fast at the end of year one.

I loaned an old Schwinn 3-speed to someone this year and it didn't have any problems either.

Hey, dork.. question. how did you shift that 3 speed schwinn... memory is fading...

Dork · Post by **Dork** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 11:16 am

wedeliver wrote:Hey, dork.. question. how did you shift that 3 speed schwinn... memory is fading...

There's a little circle with 1 2 3 written on it with a lever at the bottom. Move the lever and it shifts. I don't know that mine is actually a Schwinn... but it's an old heavy 3-speed.

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 4:13 pm

thinking about putting a three speed in the drive of an electric assist system for a trike.. i have an old 24v scooter.. the trike it s self has a three speed..

Post by **mdmf007** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 4:51 pm

that should work pretty good. Trike motors are continuous duty, and you can get batteries in every size and shape to fit your needs.

Make a small elwire coverde trailer and drop a couple of tractor sized batteries on it - your cart would run all over the palce before needing a charge.

wedeliver · Post by **wedeliver** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 5:40 pm

Dork wrote:
wedeliver wrote:Hey, dork.. question. how did you shift that 3 speed schwinn... memory is fading...
There's a little circle with 1 2 3 written on it with a lever at the bottom. Move the lever and it shifts. I don't know that mine is actually a Schwinn... but it's an old heavy 3-speed.

Was it like maybe 1 1/2 in diameter (black dial, with white letters?) and mounted to the handle bar? If that is correct, then how does it enter the wheel assembly (is the cable external or inside the frame)? To me that would be the point where debris, water, dirt could damage the guts.

My uncle had an original. It had a little gas engine on the front that grabbed the front wheel. I think it was made in the late '50's. The rider would (with engine running of course) push a lever that was just in front of the handle bars and the device would engage and it would really help going up hills.

Tiahaar · Post by **Tiahaar** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 8:46 am

wedeliver wrote:I had a schwinn bike a long long time ago (early 60's) that had a two speed bendix gear..

I still have one! The bike its on is an old Schwinn Corvette, great cruiser bike. Those hubs would be super on a little bmx playa bike.
Found a nuvinci hub review online, the guy gave it a workout and it shone. I've ordered a hub to try out, will post results in a few weeks

Teo del Fuego · Post by **Teo del Fuego** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 12:29 pm

Me three! I have taken my old Schwinn two speed kick-back hub to the Playa last two years without a single problem. I did repack the bearings before the first trip out, though

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 3:04 pm

So why am I reading this thread? I don't understand much of it, and bikes are not relevent to me right now. Oh well, Fishy getting herself in over her head again.

wedeliver · Post by **wedeliver** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 6:06 pm

theCryptofishist wrote:So why am I reading this thread? I don't understand much of it, and bikes are not relevent to me right now. Oh well, Fishy getting herself in over her head again.

Perhaps a three wheeled electrical trike might fit your transportation needs on the playa. You know, like a portable rolling fish tank.
(in over your head.. punny)

Teo del Fuego wrote:Me three! I have taken my old Schwinn two speed kick-back hub to the Playa last two years without a single problem. I did repack the bearings before the first trip out, though

Wow, my hero. I wish I had been able to save my stuff.. teo you been poppin' wheelies with a stingray?

Teo del Fuego · Post by **Teo del Fuego** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 9:48 am

Hey there We Deliver.

I was a little yard rat in Tennessee whose primary focus prior to puberty was perfecting the protracted wheelie on a Stingray. I actually had a dream last night of being able to pick my way through a crowd balanced on the back wheel of my bike. My playa bike is a big old hunking cruiser. It would require forklift assistance to pop a wheelie on that beast.

Starting to jones for some playa nighttime cruising!

wedeliver · Post by **wedeliver** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 12:53 pm

Teo del Fuego wrote:...primary focus prior to puberty was perfecting the protracted......Starting to jones for some playa nighttime cruising!

Pretty popular piece playing perfectly pehind me... on the Playa

Several years ago the playa was so smooth I counted to 120 (supposed to be about 2 minutes by counting) while I rode at night, with no hands.. and my eyes closed. actually I sat straight up crossed my arms and slowly peddeled out in the open (I think it was the ocean) playa. It was early in the week and there was not much stuff built or many people walking around.

Dork · Post by **Dork** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 2:37 pm

wedeliver wrote:Was it like maybe 1 1/2 in diameter (black dial, with white letters?) and mounted to the handle bar? If that is correct, then how does it enter the wheel assembly (is the cable external or inside the frame)? To me that would be the point where debris, water, dirt could damage the guts.

Yes to the dial. It connects to a brake cable that runs outside the frame, to a lever on the hub. The only place for debris to get in would be through a little hole in the center of the hub with a rod going through it. I'm sure some could get in there, but not much especially if you aren't shifting very often, which tends to be the case on the playa.

I guess I'm not so worried seeing as I see a couple of these old 3-speeds for sale every Summer at garage sales and such. I've never tried opening one up to see how difficult it would be to clean and lubricate.

wedeliver · Post by **wedeliver** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 9:25 am

Dork wrote:
wedeliver wrote:Was it like maybe 1 1/2 in diameter (black dial, with white letters?) and mounted to the handle bar? If that is correct, then how does it enter the wheel assembly (is the cable external or inside the frame)? To me that would be the point where debris, water, dirt could damage the guts.
Yes to the dial. It connects to a brake cable that runs outside the frame, to a lever on the hub. The only place for debris to get in would be through a little hole in the center of the hub with a rod going through it. I'm sure some could get in there, but not much especially if you aren't shifting very often, which tends to be the case on the playa.

I guess I'm not so worried seeing as I see a couple of these old 3-speeds for sale every Summer at garage sales and such. I've never tried opening one up to see how difficult it would be to clean and lubricate.

My very hazy memory is telling me that the "little hole in the center of the hub with a rod going through it" is really a lube point?? (maybe squirt 3 in one oil in the hole, that had a tiny hinged cap on it??)

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 6:02 pm

wedeliver wrote:
My very hazy memory is telling me that the "little hole in the center of the hub with a rod going through it" is really a lube point?? (maybe squirt 3 in one oil in the hole, that had a tiny hinged cap on it??)

\/
just today pulled my JC Penny's out of the rafters.. it is a ladys three speed step through(steel)..
the lever on the handle bar has 123 positions.. a cable runs from there to a lever on the outside center of the axel.. the lever pulls a rod to shift.. there is an oil hole/w spring cap on the hub in the center of the spokes.. pumped the tiers up and went for a ride..

then got the 1956 Royce Union five speed out and took it for a spin..

only have two collecter bikes and six kids.. they will have to work it out after im dead.. i wont give a shit anymore

Tiahaar · Post by **Tiahaar** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 10:05 pm

unjonharley wrote:only have two collecter bikes and six kids...

ha just give them to the two who've rode bikes the most...nice reward and all. Glad You're out and riding, on classics no less.

The single speed coaster hubs are fairly easy to open/clean/lube, I too have never opened a three speed though.

I got the fancy-dancy Nuvinci, put the bike together over the weekend, and hey it works really well. Has low range below what I need to do the steep hills onto campus and high range beyond the 16-18mph normally done on the flat. (yeah I know not very techie) Very very smooth ratio changes, very micro-adjustable, very different to ride. Testing continues.

Still think the best playa bike is a single speed cruiser or bmx with coaster brake.

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 7:14 am

the old gob of weld trike i have (gave to my oldest kid) for the playa six times was a ten speed..Alway rode in hi in the rear and low in front.. never cleaned it between playa times.. used it for a hualer in the summers.. that's the only time it was shifted.. it has sat out in the rain all this time.. now the kid uses it to haul his tools to job sites..

got a new trike w/three speed.. there is a short steep valley between home and the stores.. i ride in second gear so my legs pump more(which is good for me and the old heart)

now i m thinking of putting a three speed on this years playa project.. it would copy the new trikes set up.. second gear would be about the right speed for how i like to ride around BRC.. maybe an electric assist for moving in the open playa.. just woundering if i can pile a three speed before the final drive in the electric..

i have a 12v scooter, 24v scooter, 12v (store loaner) wheel chair and a 24v wheel chair collection of runing gear and controlers..

it has jinked me for saying what i am building for the playa... so that will come later..

so the rest of you better get to work

BAS · Post by **BAS** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 1:52 pm

I am trying to save up to get my old, all steel Schwinn three speed (with a coaster brake) overhauled for commuting purposes (need to find what I did with the rack I had on one of my other bikes so it can be put on the Speedster, or get a new one).

I got a pad of graph paper and have been fooling around with designs for a three wheeled, adult pedal car. If I ever get the ambition and other resources together to build it, I don't know how I would get it out to the playa... unless I also do the motor home conversion for a school bus I want to do. (The layout for the school bus is the other thing being entered in the notebook.)

Darn. That reminds me-- I really should be going through boxes and putting away stuff I just moved into the apartment!

Teo del Fuego · Post by **Teo del Fuego** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 12:25 pm

Hey Guys, Fishy's out of the room now. So let's talk about Fishy all day long! Woohooo!

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Sat May 21, 2011 9:23 pm

How has the nuvinci been?

Tiahaar · Post by **Tiahaar** » Sat May 21, 2011 9:48 pm

Hey gyre! an old thread revisited

My NuVinci still works as good as the day I got it (though it has never been to the playa). There's a new lighter wider-ratio model out now I'm drooling over but it is spendy.

My 3-speed internal-gear Shimano Nexus trike will be back on-playa for the 3rd year...no problems with it either, still like it better than the NuVinci as its a bit more efficient and simpler.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Sat May 21, 2011 10:35 pm

Isn't shifting easy?

It looks like a good choice for me, in spite of the weight.
Anything past the 7 speeds are pretty expensive unless I find a good deal used.
The nuvinci looks like a good option by comparison.
The rohloff looks right out.

What ratio is yours?
The new one is 360%.
The gear I have now is 184%, I think.

A friend of mine just found a 7 speed nexus.
Even it is pretty heavy.
The 8 speed shimano looks good, but the 11 speed is much more.