[phkahler]

>> it looks like the chainring is able to spin independently of the pedals, as if they moved the freewheel from the rear hub to the bottom bracket

IMHO that would be a safety hazard if they removed it from the rear hub. Without that, the chain will always be moving when the bike is moving. If your pants or anything else gets caught in there it ain't stopping.

Leaving it in the back AND putting it in the front as well is probably viable if a bit redundant.

[ghist]

> Without that, the chain will always be moving when the bike is moving.

I have a much simpler kind of bike where this is also the case :)