Hard life of a cyclocross rear mech

[Danneaux]

Hi All!

I recently came across a photo gallery of "dead" rear derailleurs, collected from a single day of cyclocross racing at one event. It is titled FPC, or "Failure (to) Pass Chain". Interesting (!) to see what happens when things jam.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/retroshift/sets/72157632042809321/

Full disclosure: These are part of the Retroshift site on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/retroshift/sets/ . Retroshift are mounts that allow one to place bar-end shifters on brake lever blades to allow shifting from the brake hoods without STI. They are gaining popularity on the 'cross circuit, and the company is planning to soon release a mud-tolerant rear mech to go with the shifters.

I have no interest in the company, though they are also located in Oregon. They were first mentioned on this Forum in a post here: http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=3066.msg16701#msg16701

Cyclocross would seem an ideal venue for Rohloff, given the photos.  Somehow, I don't remember seeing quite as much attrition in past cyclocross events. Wonder if there was something "special" about this mud that made it worse....

Best,

Dan.

[jags]

OH me poor bike i can feel its pain 

[Danneaux]

<nods> Yes, looks like a lot of straw or grass acting as a "binder" in the mud. I'm guessing that went a long ways toward making the clogs.

Best,

Dan. (...who is going to spend a lot of this beautiful day inside the garage and behind an electric bandsaw, the oxy-acet torch, and other mechanisms of mayhem to build bikey things)

[NZPeterG]

Cyclocross would seem an ideal venue for Rohloff, given the photos.  Somehow, I don't remember seeing quite as much attrition in past cyclocross events. Wonder if there was something "special" about this mud that made it worse....

Hi Dan this is one place not to use a Rolhoff Speedhub  It is just Too heavy to be used on a Cyclo X bike 
A Singlespeed set up is a far better way to go! or more spare Bicycle's as you can change bikes in the race!

Peace Please I love Rohloff Speedhubs

Pete
 

[Danneaux]

Hi Pete!

Yep; we're seeing more and more single-speeds at cyclocross events here. They are indeed light and avoid the jamming possibilities of a derailleur setup. Most 'cross courses are pretty level (except for the hop-off-and-carry obstacles, of course), but when the courses have elevation changes, then some sort of gearing is helpful.

I can see having the bulk of the drivetrain weight at the rear (as with a Rohloff) would make the carry portions of the course pretty awkward, as the bike would be harder to balance on the shoulder. It would be harder to "bunny-hop" as well, I'd think.

Best,

Dan. (...who likes the idea of "spare bicycles" as one can never have too many)

[JWestland]

Or...bottom bracket gears!

Just out again after being discovered about 80 years ago.

[moodymac]

Pete,

I wonder if the shimano nexus 8 hub would also carry the weight penalty?  I notice there are a few competition mountain bikers that are using the alfine 8 (it is disc brake ready, therefore heavier than the nexus).  They use low count chain rings and a 22 gear hub and swear by them.


Tom

[NZPeterG]

Pete,

I wonder if the shimano nexus 8 hub would also carry the weight penalty?  I notice there are a few competition mountain bikers that are using the alfine 8 (it is disc brake ready, therefore heavier than the nexus).  They use low count chain rings and a 22 gear hub and swear by them.


Tom

Hi Tom
If your going with Hub Gears there is only one Hub to use for Racing or Touring!
Rohloff.

Pete

[moodymac]

Thanks Pete,

I won't be going with the hubs,  I was just wondering about the weight penalty for cyclocrossing.  I know what the nexus weighs, 1.5kg (without brakes),  and I think the alfine comes in a tad less.  but I don't know what a light weight derailleur set up would weigh.

Thanks, Tom