I enjoy the rohloff system. I use it with the gates centertrack belt drive instead of a chain.
The rohloff system is quite heavy though, so I don't know if it's "more efficient" than a traditional high end sprocket-and-chain system. The rohloff also shifts the weight to the rear of the bike. Maybe the pinion gear box system might be better since its weight is low and towards the center of the bike.
I sure hope it's cheaper than the Rohloff hub, I can't imagine anyone buying these if they are very expensive. I thought I had read that chains and sprockets were pretty efficeint in terms of energy loss.
It's the chain not the internal hub. Rohloff can use either a chain or a belt drive. The belt drive is cheap, and works with other internal hubs (sealed planetary gear system), which are much cheaper (e.g. Shimano, others make them).
Tourers buy them. Money well spent. Just change the oil every year. Less efficient than a clean deraileur drivetrain but those stay clean for about 30 minutes.
Even a muddy chain is unreasonably efficient, to the tune of maybe 85-90% [0].
Having bike toured, keeping a chain halfway clean (or at least not muddy) is not hard. Yes, I see the appeal of an internally geared hub, but marginal differences in efficiency either way would not be high on my list of concerns.
> All of that is working, too, with independent tests showing properly race-prepped drivetrains to be as much as 98% efficient.
> That elusive 2%
> As good as chain optimization has become, there comes a point where there’s no more optimizing left to do, and there are no other options but to rethink the system.
Though, not as in any modern drivetrain but high-end competition drivetrains. At least I imagine it would be with really expensive solutions like Ceramic Speed bearings everywhere.
This is a chain system, to transfer power from the bottom bracket to the wheel. AFAIK, Rohloff is gear system built inside a wheel hub. How would one compare those?
You are right. Perhaps he meant if it can be used with the Rohloff system or not.
It can be used with the Rohloff system. But, I think you need a compatible chain ring since they are talking about a new tooth design requirements. The Rohloff system has the chain ring attached to the hub gear. So you presumably have to change that chain ring yourself.
The rohloff system is quite heavy though, so I don't know if it's "more efficient" than a traditional high end sprocket-and-chain system. The rohloff also shifts the weight to the rear of the bike. Maybe the pinion gear box system might be better since its weight is low and towards the center of the bike.