Cycling UK Forum

I have recently installed on of these:-
http://efneo.com/gearbox/
on to my Bakfiets long john cargo bike in order to increase the range of gearing provided by the N360 hub gear.
Initial impressions are all good it works nicely and does what I want it to - replaces a single 38t chainring with the equivalent of 28-40-50t triple. Bottom gear is now low enough that the bike could probably go up a cliff face, the increase in the top gear range means I am no longer spinning out on the flat. I may tweak things a bit at some point by replacing the 22t sprocket on the rear with an 18t.
I got this as Kick Started pre-order so I had to wait a bit, but then I did get it for less than the current price. Installation is straight forward, although in my case in turns out I have a problem with my BB shell causing the replacement BB unit to bind and turn stiffly - got it checked out at my LBS in Southampton who said it was the BB unit not the BB shell. Efneo sent a new BB straight away without quibble, but the issue remains and the I have now tested the original BB in another shell and it is fine - so Hub Cycleworks in Southampton won't be getting my custom again anytime soon.
In summary, I find this to be a good alternative to a conventional front triple - especially if your bike is a single speed or hubgeared without a chain tensioner. Efneo have given me good customer service. Long tem reliability of course has yet to be established.

Very interesting and particularly advantageous for a 'bent to allow changing down when stopped. How easy would it be to replace the chain ring when worn? Am disappointed that direct drive is 1:1. With wide range cassettes probably 90% of my time is spent using the middle ring of a triple so I'd be losing efficiency 90% of the time in a replacement with this gearbox.

UpWrong wrote:Very interesting and particularly advantageous for a 'bent to allow changing down when stopped. How easy would it be to replace the chain ring when worn? Am disappointed that direct drive is 1:1. With wide range cassettes probably 90% of my time is spent using the middle ring of a triple so I'd be losing efficiency 90% of the time in a replacement with this gearbox.

I guess they made the direct drive on the lowest ratio either because that's how it worked best or to provide a get you home option in case failure - I think the Rohlhoff hub is set up the same way for that reason. Certainly the low end on my bike is now very low, a smaller rear sprocket is indicated I think, the top gear is OK but it would n't hurt to have it a bit higher. I'll have to ask about what happens when the chain ring is worn and needs replacing but that day is some way off.

Elizabethsdad wrote:I guess they made the direct drive on the lowest ratio either because that's how it worked best or to provide a get you home option in case failure - I think the Rohlhoff hub is set up the same way for that reason.

IIRC, direct drive on a Rohloff is 11 to minimise losses in the gear you're most likely to be in for the longest time - if you get the gearing right .

This looks like a must buy for me, looking forward to trying one.

I certainly feel sorry for 'Hub cycleworks' though. They kindly offered to look at a faulty product they didnt sell you and now it's their fault and wont get any more of your business, maybe others will be swayed by your comments too. I suppose if they had told you to take it back to where it came from (eastern Europe I believe), you would have slagged them off for that as well, dammed if they do, dammed if they dont.

P.s. I have no affiliation to hub Cycleworks, I am not a customer, I have never visited their shop.