The "feel" issue is definitely a big issue with the Rohloff in certain gears. You can feel static in the pedals as it grinds in gear 7, for example. Hear it too. Makes you understand why some riders used to call them pepper grinders and gives you the sensation of pedaling through water.
In terms of real world time, I'm as fast in my commutes on my Rohloff-equipped bike as with my derailleur-equipped one. If it weren't for my computer, I might not believe it. > From: Steve Palincsar <[email protected]> > Reply-To: <[email protected]> > Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:24:02 -0500 > To: <[email protected]> > Subject: Re: [RBW] Re: Internal Hub Efficiency: What the Experts Say > > On Thu, 2009-11-19 at 07:26 -0800, Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery wrote: >> Mechanical inefficiency of the drivetrain is not the only thing that >> makes a cyclist slower. Let's say, for example, that 90% of the total >> inefficiency comes from tire rolling resistance and aerodynamics, and >> 10% comes from the mechanical friction and slop in the drivetrain. >> Then the total effect of a 6% drop in mechanical efficiency would >> translate to something like 10% of a 6% drop in speed (i.e. 0.6%). >> Approximately. My numbers are for illustrative purposes only, not >> based on actual measurements of inefficiency. > > > But I think the big issue with IG hubs isn't the actual inefficiency -- > it's well known that 11T and 12T sprockets are extremely inefficient, > yet nobody complains about their inefficiency vs larger ones -- it's the > feel, that slushy, squishy feeling that you're putting power in but it > isn't coming out. A derailleur drive train in any gear feels "solid" > under your pedal as you apply power, but 1st gear in a Sturmey AW (and > that is, after all, what most people have in their experience bank when > you speak of internal geared hubs) doesn't. > > Also the gear change in a derailleur system, even non-indexed, once it > stops clacking, feels "positive" compared to the gear change on an AW, > which somehow does not. > > People call that "inefficiency," even though nobody's measuring power in > vs power out. It's that "friction box" feeling. > > > > > -- > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW > Owners Bunch" group. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > [email protected]. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=. > > > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=.
