Retro tech reinvented

[Cugel]

That rather over-enthusiastic American Jan Heine has surpassed hisself with a new gubbins that's a sort of reinvention of a previous old design. The fellow does have some similar olde French stuff he reworks to good effect on the resultant bicycles but is this one a reinvention too far?

https://www.renehersecycles.com/nivex-d ... -are-here/

https://www.renehersecycles.com/product ... railleurs/

I notice his supporting/justifying blurb has more about the joys of its feel than the efficacies of its function (although he naturally lists every such functional advantage he can think of).

Did you notice the price?

Cugel

[Barrowman]

I was just going to order one but the Levers are out of stock. (Joking)
Shimano successfully re invented the Sidepull brake with Centre pull action ( think Altenburger and the GB
re invention of same, and possibly others)
Freehub ? I have a Baylis Wiley freehub in my shed.
GT 'invented' the 'triple triangle' frame ( think Thanet Silverlight and I am sure others beat Thanet to the punch on that one)

So how about some crowd funding to re invent the Osgear ?

[Bmblbzzz]

No, I didn't notice the price. I confess I didn't read every word but a scan didn't find the price. I don't think it was mentioned. I did notice "And yet our Nivex derailleur costs no more than other top-of-the-line derailleurs. "

I also noticed that despite his retro-enthusiasms, he also praises electronic shifting. And that because of the unusual fitting, you can't just buy one of these neo Nivexes and put it on your existing bike (unless you have a suitable mounting welded onto your chainstay).

[rjb]

Twin cables. he's having a laugh. he'll be calling it a Positron experience next.

[Cugel]

No, I didn't notice the price. I confess I didn't read every word but a scan didn't find the price. I don't think it was mentioned. I did notice "And yet our Nivex derailleur costs no more than other top-of-the-line derailleurs. "

I also noticed that despite his retro-enthusiasms, he also praises electronic shifting. And that because of the unusual fitting, you can't just buy one of these neo Nivexes and put it on your existing bike (unless you have a suitable mounting welded onto your chainstay).

The prices are in the second link, which is to the page selling these gubbins in his on-line shop. As another poster mentions, don't forget the cost of a new frame with the right mounting for this gubbins on the chainstay.

CUgel

[rogerzilla]

Steampunk stupidity for hipsters

[hoogerbooger]

I do like concise precis

[Bmblbzzz]

No, I didn't notice the price. I confess I didn't read every word but a scan didn't find the price. I don't think it was mentioned. I did notice "And yet our Nivex derailleur costs no more than other top-of-the-line derailleurs. "

I also noticed that despite his retro-enthusiasms, he also praises electronic shifting. And that because of the unusual fitting, you can't just buy one of these neo Nivexes and put it on your existing bike (unless you have a suitable mounting welded onto your chainstay).

The prices are in the second link, which is to the page selling these gubbins in his on-line shop. As another poster mentions, don't forget the cost of a new frame with the right mounting for this gubbins on the chainstay.

CUgel

I hadn't looked at the second link. So it's over $1k including the special lever etc. Compared to a Dura-Ace 11sp mechanical derailleur for about £190, and the corresponding STI units seem to go for about £400 the pair. Or for Di2 it seems the prices are roughly reversed: £400 for the mech and £150 for the shifter (but one only). So call it £600 for DA vs £1000 for Nivex; this is not really "no more than other top-of-the-line derailleurs. " But the main cost is going to be the special frame fittings, which is why I'm sure it will appeal to those who are already in the charmed circle of the Rene Herse way.

[Bsteel]

I can't see a mention of where to buy the chain stay braze on mount. It doesn't seem to be in the list of parts

[Bmblbzzz]

It looks like the chain stay mount comes as stock on this bike:
https://www.renehersecycles.com/shop/bi ... n-payment/

A mere $14,000.

[Cugel]

Steampunk stupidity for hipsters

Does one also need a boiler and a-one o' them Victorian feersum enjins then, to make the thing work!? My grandson would like such a bicycle - not to ride but to take apart and put together again.

Hipsters. Are they still a thing? I greatly enjoyed all their stuff about authenticity, especially their antics to construct it (whatever it was) by cheating. I recall the BBC programme that examined various hipster enterprises, including the one that claimed to import chocolate grown and made by Amazonian natives and collected by the Noo Yok hipsters in their sailing boat, for transport to their "enterprise" where hand-made chocolate bars were constructed for sale at $loadsa each. It turned out they were buying cheap choc at the wholesaler, remelting it into fancy shapes for the fancy wrapping to go on, then selling it to other hipster dafties who waxed lyrical to all and sundry about it's "authentic taste".

Such fun!

Cugel

[Bsteel]

It looks like the chain stay mount comes as stock on this bike:
https://www.renehersecycles.com/shop/bi ... n-payment/

A mere $14,000.

That was a shame I missed the 10 day window for ordering. I see that shipping wasn't included in the price

[scottg]

Steampunk stupidity for hipsters

I doubt anyone in GB is the market, the Japanese are very fond of old French bike parts,
they just make them much better than the French ever did.
As is often said here, modern kit is rubbish, so bring back Nivex.

https://www.renehersecycles.com/hidetak ... 1944-2020/

[Bmblbzzz]

Reviewed on Bikepacking too, rather more concisely.
https://bikepacking.com/news/rene-herse ... erailleur/
Max rear cog is only 30 teeth.

This comment amused me:

Jan is just trying to one up grant on most overpriced derailleur. I think he wins this round. Let's see how grant responds.

Presumably referring, in case anyone is wondering, to Grant Petersen of Rivendell Bikes. And possibly, but I'm not sure, to this post:
https://www.rivbike.com/blogs/grant-pet ... ur-bicycle

[esasjl]

Desmodronic actuation is interesting. 30t max sprocket is limiting as is the price, but nice to see some variety. I hope rivbike can get to production as well.