DT Swiss' 7 Speed Downhill Hub - Sea Otter

Apr 13, 2011 at 18:23
by Mike Levy  
  Pinkbike's exclusive on Team Monster Energy - Specialized's prototype 1 x 6 gearing introduced readers to their trick 9 tooth small cog that allows the team to run a smaller chain ring and guard for improved ground clearance. The only remaining question was how the 9 tooth cog was fitted to the freehub body, given that an 11 tooth cog is as small as a standard freehub body's diameter will allow. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to deduce that the freehub body must use a smaller diameter, at least on its outer section, but it was still a bit of a mystery. That is, until we were eating burritos for lunch with Specialized's Czar of FSR, Jason Chamberlain, and he pulled one of the custom made DT Swiss hubs out of his pocket.

photo
This is DT Swiss' custom made DH hub for Team Monster Energy - Specialized that allows the use of a small 9 tooth cog. The 12 x 135mm hub uses a very DT Swiss 240-esque body that is much slimmer than found on their downhill specific 440 hubs.


Much as many of us expected, the splined section of the freehub body is about half the length as what you would find on a standard hub, followed by a short tapered section that includes the male threads for the custom cassette's lock ring. Contrary to what most of us had assumed, the cassettes used on the Team Monster Energy - Specialized bikes do not feature a one piece carrier that the smaller cogs (the cogs that don't ride on the splined section of the freehub body) are attached to. Instead, each small cog is attached to its neighbor by sturdy splines.


photo
1 x 6 gearing as found on a Team Monster Energy - Specialized bike. Using a smaller chainring combined with a 9 tooth cog keeps the high and low ratios similar to a standard cassette, but with more clearance, better chainline, and the possibility of less weight. Is it a win - win?


The custom DT Swiss hub shown above is one of only ten in the world at the moment, and has been made exclusively for Team Monster Energy - Specialized and for development purposes - don't expect to see any of these for sale anytime soon. It measures out at 12 x 135mm because Sam, Brendan and Troy were looking for a slimmer back end compared to the full sized 150mm standard. Interestingly, the spoke flanges are actually wider than what you would find on a common 150mm hub, due to the shorter length of the freehub. You'll find DT Swiss' proven Star Ratchet engagement system inside.


Gear development comparison*

• 30 tooth ring x 9 tooth cog = 7.183m
• 30 tooth ring x 17 tooth cog = 3.803m

• 36 tooth ring x 11 tooth cog = 7.053m
• 36 tooth ring x 21 tooth cog = 3.694m
*Gear development (also known as rollout) is the distance traveled by the bicycle per one revolution of the crank
Team riders always race with the 21 tooth cog locked out.


photo
You're looking at a SRAM PowerDome cassette with a 9 tooth small cog. This is an early prototype that has been machined as a 9 speed unit, but will we see 6 and 7 speed versions in the near future?


So what does all this mean and why should it matter to us non-pro riders? SRAM, DT Swiss and Specialized are all working towards a new gearing arrangement that makes more sense for downhillers, something that they wouldn't be doing if they didn't see any commercial promise in the idea. How long will it be until we see a dedicated DH group? I'm going to go ahead and say that it will be sooner rather than later, and it will have more ground clearance because the smaller 9 tooth cogs allows riders to use smaller rings and chain guides, it will have a gearing range that makes more sense for the task at hand, and the system could possibly even be lighter than what is being used now. Possible drawbacks include wear issues with the smaller cog, and more drivetrain friction when in the 9 tooth cog, although the bike should already be going quite fast by the time you drop it into the hardest gear.

Is this the beginnings of a new full-on DH group? Will trail riders be able to run a 9-36 tooth cassette out back? Let's hear what you think about it - put those thoughts down below

www.dtswiss.com
www.Specialized.com
www.sram.com

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115 Comments
  • 52 0
 I like the 6/7 speed stuff more than the 10 speed stuff. Hopefully this is released for sale.
  • 20 0
 yup, 10-speed is blatant nonsense for a dh bike - bigger, heavier, too little difference between adjacent cogs. i am so pissed that you can't get a higher end 8 speed shifter anymore...
  • 9 0
 ya nines already enough to think about. I'm happy with 9 and i wouldn't want anymore

plus wouldn't the chains have to get a little thinner?
  • 12 2
 for 10 speed - yes. which means it'll stretch/snap sooner. weeeeee. Frown i hate 10 speed.
  • 4 0
 do you think its possible when i suggested that to some sram tech guys 9 months ago, they ripped off my idea... i thought you have less overall friction from a larger chainring anyway...now they need to run it with bmx size chain, and beefier chainrings...probably shouldnt have said that either...but that would be the way to do it...otherwise it would wear out fast i would think. still sick.
  • 2 1
 and how can i get summa that? please get back to me sram. i have good ideas for some bmx racing stuff too...
  • 4 0
 I only use about 4 or 5 differnt gears durring a race anyway. why wasnt this thought of earlier!?
  • 3 0
 Im running a cut down 6 speed road casette out back and find it much better, a proper system would be sweet. And am i right in saying the monster team are now running 135x12 mm rear end? if so that doesn't make sence since last year they increased the demo from 135 mm to 150mm ??
  • 3 0
 george, the 150 back to 135 does sound rash- but if they can achieve greater flange spacing than a standard 150 hub (by the casette body being smaller), then they can build a wheel with the same spoke profile of a 150 (having the same lateral stiffness benefits in terms of stress on the spokes) with the added few mm deraillure and heel clearance of a 135 back end
  • 2 0
 now all we need after this is a light 5speed gear hub to integrate nicely in a dh frame without weight penalty! but its defo a good step!
  • 2 0
 george your corect... what happend???????
  • 6 0
 Quick quiz: Why would a narrower chain snap sooner? Think before you answer...
  • 1 2
 depends if the cassette teeth are thinner or the same size as the 9 speed. if the teeth are the same size as a 9 speed cassette the links will have to be thinner which will meen the chain will be weaker
  • 10 0
 What determines the "strength" of a chain? Think about it. I'd say pin diameter and link plate thickness. Will the chain's pin diameter be smaller? No. Will the thickness of the link plates be less? No. The only thing that changes with a narrower chain is the pin length, which will not change the strength of the chain.
  • 4 0
 good call aaron, i've tried to explain this to people but they can't seem to grasp it.
  • 1 0
 you state exactly what i was thinking. an example is the (road) campagnolo 11 speed ultra narrow 5.5mm chain which is 20% stonger than the 5.9mm 10 speed chain..... and my opinion is that this movement toward less gears is rad. a 9t sprocket and fewer gears mated with a smaller chainring is the way to go for dh/fr.
  • 1 0
 forgot to mention.....narrower chains shift quieter and faster!! the only benefit of a wider chain is the ability to have a thicker cog/cogs.
  • 2 1
 Im confused, why would you spend the huge amount of money they will charge for the new setup when you can just whack a spacer or two on your current hub and not have to buy a new hub/cassette?
  • 1 0
 @pslide - strength is uncompromised, BUT - lenght of the pin = max width of the bearing surface inside every link. so, it wears out faster, wear leads to stretch/snap.
  • 1 0
 marginally, i can't think of the difference between tooth widths between all the gears but as the number of gears goes up, the width of tooth hardly drops all that much
  • 2 0
 Yes 6/7 speed!!! Has the industry finally learned that "Less is More"?!!! Big Grin
  • 1 0
 Does anyone happen to know what wheelset they are running?
  • 1 0
 It seems like they dropped the dev on this. No news on it at interbike !!!! Pretty much dead or will re-surface next year ... I need it NOW !
  • 11 2
 i think its a pretty nice idea to not only gain a greater clearance but im sure it can have a slight weight saving, cut down on tooth size, hallow casset, plus smaller chain, smaller chain rings blah blah blah... obviously in turn will wear much quicker but for the average racer or hardcore bike enthusiast like myself who doesn't care how much money they put into their bikes since its their passion it's not a concern. In my mind this is a sick product, its all about innovation and simplicity, weather its making something smaller and shaving weight or reducing total amount of components needed for an assembly im all for it... this is a great example of innovation vs that overly done hydraulic shifting system that was released this week. what a stupid complex mechanism. my question is, why not bring back the thread on freewheel?
  • 7 0
 I would buy it
  • 6 0
 I agree with @summit800, however the hyraulic shifting system you mentioned isnt what i would call overdone. Like you said its innovation and people may now be saying it is complex and stupid but 30 odd years ago when bike suspension was introduced, everyone scoffed at the idea. Now look how far it has gone.
  • 2 0
 Lets just hope this doesnt mean specialized is going to go back to the 12-135 on the demo
  • 1 0
 to Ryanlak, i think its a cool ass concept but its very similar to that of the shimano airlines witch of course you know the outcome. its all about simplicity and function, its a cool nifty toy thats for sure, and id love to own one just cause im a bike geek, but at the same time when it comes to the market. no one will be entertained by such a concept. the easier more maintainable and cheaper a product becomes the more people can efford it and enjoy it -----> successful product launch.. btw i think it would be great if specialized went down to a 12-135 to shave even more weight.
  • 2 0
 While it might be great in a weight saving way, maybe even functionality, it is still not the standard wheel size. This was the reason i skipped a generation in demos (demo 9 to 2011 Cool Many people including myself have a set of wheel we want to be able to swap back and forth (even if its seasonally) I cant speak for everybody, but where i ride, its very easy to find a guy with a spare 150mm wheel (hell i have 2 spares) but I coudlnt think of what i would have to do if i need a 135 wheel. Even a 10-135 would be better than a 12-135 regarding popularity.
  • 2 0
 i second that^
  • 2 0
 yeah i kinda agree, i have never owned a bike that needed a 12-135, all my bikes run bolt on 10x135, pretty simple. at the same time 12x135 is a pretty standard sun ringle dimension. one of them midways that kinda caught on but not completely.
  • 1 0
 The thing with the wheel spacing is that if sram roll out a proper dh specific 7 or even 6 speed setup with the 9 tooth cog, then frame designers will start designing round that, so if they can get a good chainline with 12-135 then they will use it for the weight savings. And it should, if the wheels have the spoke flanges wider than a standard 12-150, make a stiffer rear end overall. So in a few years everyone will be on 12-135, or maybe that syntax thing that seems to be getting big.
  • 2 1
 no syntace please.
  • 7 0
 smaller drivetrain, bmx has been using it for years. pretty stoked on DH starting to move down! (no pun intended)
  • 2 0
 this is funny.....alot of ppl began running ROAD cogs back in 2005 and dropping the front rings to 36 or 34 from 44T like the old times...... i am surprised it is taking SRAM that long to figure out that there is a need for small chain rings and small cog in the DH scene.... 9t cog is a very good idea....but can u pedal it..and actually make it go fast is another questions..... i know back then i was running 35 and a road cog on my dh bike and i normally run it at the 5th gear...that was the hardest i can pedal ...lol
  • 2 0
 the smaller cog will offer a greater variety of gear ranges for racers, however the drawback is that these small 9 tooth cogs will wear out much faster and may overall cause friction issues as the chain has to make a tighter bend than on slightly larger 11 tooth cogs
  • 1 0
 that's what I was going to say too.. Going smaller seams like a good idea, but we will need to see the durability.. As far as the racers edge for those that always want the cutting edge,i could see it being beneficial for those who race at the top level..
  • 1 0
 hey guys, just saying, if they can make them as strong as the bmx 9T cogs they will last years, no need to worry about drivers. bearings are where the issues come in, but thats only 8T and smaller.
  • 3 0
 i don't see a big issue with wear... you won't be using the last gear all the time, and you can't put as much torque down in last gear. It would be a diffrent problem for XC or all mountain bikes
  • 7 0
 GEARBOX
  • 2 1
 The weakest spot on a mountain bike right now is the rear D, I'd love to see something like hammersmidt so we don't have to have deraileurs/chainslap etc. I know there's the whole issue of chain growth but i think it's a about time someone tries to pivot a downhill bike around the BB like the Kona Bass. Just my opinion.
  • 5 0
 axle path on bb pivots pretty much sucks for anything other than short travel. not rearward enough, starts going up then forward towards the seat
  • 2 0
 Here is a good concept for a gearbox :

www.pinion.eu/en/index.html

saw it on the eurobike and i loved it. Yes it`s 18 Speed Smile
  • 2 0
 the future is already here!! www.zerode.co.nz/gearbox.php
  • 1 1
 I don`t agree at this point. The Zerode moves the center of gravity from the bike upwards ( i dislike that ) and by using two chains you have more friction ( i don`t want that ) Smile
  • 6 0
 My 1952 Schwinn cruiser has 1 x 5. Do keep up Specialized Wink
  • 1 0
 Does anyone know any good 9 speed cassettes that are faster and full of 'smaller cogs', as the one i've got atm - i never touch the gears from 1- 5, so was wondering if theres any cassettes with a lower, faster ratio?

(sorry if i sound like a n00b, gotta start somewhere!)

Thanks in advance
  • 1 0
 Not sure what you are already running, but its fairly standard to use a road cassette. Shimano Dura-ace or Ultegra 11-21 or 12-23 cassettes are very common on DH rigs.
  • 1 0
 I have a Dura ace 11-23 and it's the best thing ever.. Super light, like 200gr lighter than a XT and the closer gear ratio makes shifting so easy and flawless (with a XTR rapid fire).
Ultegra is just as good, but they use aluminium instead of titanium and it weights about 40 to 50 grams extra, but also much better price.
  • 1 0
 Wow thanks for the replies, thats just what i was after! I asked about a Road Cassette in my LBS and he advised me not to do it 'as they're designed for road bikes'... but they're abit funny with customising the spec of a bike haha
  • 1 0
 Run away from that LBS..!
  • 1 0
 They're good for everything else, just depends which guy serves me really Razz
  • 1 0
 I use 6x1 with a CK + carbon spacers 34tX11t Duarce shimano, xo deraullier wich _I had to tweat in order to turn it into 6 speed derraulier, 34x11 its ok, but 9t would be great.

the real innovation, is the creation of a new product line called 9t hubs wich also will have to have a 9t ring of its own.
Now days we can find 6 speed hub such as Profiles 6 speed trials hub 135mm, but what we dont have here is the 9t standar for actual cassete, or simply using spacer "carbon for weigth savers Smile " with any standar 135mm hub.

Now the real interesting 3 cuestions may be PRICE - WEIGHT - DURABILITY-INTENDET USE.


Any Ways is a great idea, love 6speed
  • 1 0
 this is going to end up being the new normal mtb hubs ,bmx has been down to 9 and 25 for a very long time i am amazed mtb companies have not caught on to it sooner because what is there not to love? i have never been a fan of gears because they seem to be hudge and bulky plus i cant afford a decent set up blah blah.. but bakc to the point this idea is sick!! i would love one of these hubs just for the 9th on my dj because the 12 and 36 i have now is a sh-t ratio lol
  • 1 0
 Gets my vote to (which is worthless) 10spd on a Dh bike is just not needed.
I went from a Dura-ace 9spd, 11-22 (IIRC) to LX 9spd 11-32 thinking I'd need the range now I'm riding some flatter routes. Not at all. The old dura ace would be fine, and of course benefits from a very short cage mech.
Won't bother changing back until something breaks, and the LX is high normal which is very fine indeed...
  • 1 0
 If you consider that the 2009 World Champs were won by 0.05 seconds, and the Junior World Champs in 2010 were won by 0.06 seconds, any advantage you can get might be the difference between winning and losing. By running less gears, and running the right gears, means you don't have to shift as frequently, and you don't have to double shift. This actually saves time. Also, the more you can keep your bash guard off the ground, the less speed you will scrub. Boomslang
  • 1 0
 If you consider that the 2009 World Champs were won by 0.05 seconds, and the Junior World Champs in 2010 were won by 0.06 seconds, any advantage you can get might be the difference between winning and losing. By running less gears, and running the right gears, means you don't have to shift as frequently, and you don't have to double shift. This actually saves time. Also, the more you can keep your bash guard off the ground, the less speed you will scrub. Boomslang
  • 1 0
 This link (if you scroll down to the part where he talks about the rear hub) shows a DH hub that has some of the same features and you can buy today.
lacemine29.blogspot.com/2010/09/bike-check-skippys-demo-lenzsport-pbj.html
  • 1 0
 If you scroll down the post on the link that follows until he explains the rear hub you will see a DH hub that has what I think are the most important features of the one described here...only you can buy it now.
lacemine29.blogspot.com/2010/09/bike-check-skippys-demo-lenzsport-pbj.html
  • 1 0
 I like the idea very much. I forsee a good amount of issues with wear though. Strenght is also an issue I believe. With racers mashing gears on such a tight system, there would have to be some kind of durability issue. I do very much like the new design though. I have faith that these companies will produce an amazing product.
  • 1 0
 So...I still don't understand how they fit a 30t chainring on a standard 104 BCD crankset. Unless of course it isn't a 'standard' crank, but the pictures I've seen in the past sure don't look like anything special. Any ideas?
  • 1 0
 they actually use 32 tooth rings if you look closely
www.sicklines.com/gallery/data/748/2010_sam_hill_demo_8_bike1.jpg
  • 1 0
 Look at this :

r2-bike.com/Extralite-Kettenblatt-30-Zaehne-4-Loch-Chain-Ring

but i think it`s way overpriced.
  • 1 0
 but without those chainring spacers the chain would hit the bolt tabs, and im prety sure specialized arent running any spacers
  • 1 0
 If the price of the system is reasonable and they find out if it can be made for 150mm bikes I'm sure it will do fine. Without that 150mm market, it will just raise a few eyebrows and be forgotten about. The 135mm DH crowd is a very small demographic, and I'm sure DT Swiss knows this, so I'm assuming that this proto will go on to become a wheel in 150mm some day in the future, otherwise, as stated above I think bikes like the new Zerode gearbox bikes will be more appealing (I know I know your probably laughing, but its my opinion) to people having clearance issues. Although GB bikes have been around for a long time with no innovation I feel like the Zerode could be a bike that pushes the industry in that direction. I also doubt that the wear out issues will be anything too drastic either, unless you're constantly in the highest gear, then I'm guessing 25% more often. Lastly I gotta say I would definitely like to try this product. I think it's lonnnng over due. I honestly used to wonder why nobody invented a smaller cassette for DH, but hats off to DT Swiss and hats off to Specialized (I'm assuming that everyone with clearance issues from 2010 demos convinced them to invest a few $ haha)
  • 1 0
 I've been running the first 6 cogs from a 9spd DuraAce cassette for a couple of years, works great. More than enough gearing for DH. I'm gonna jump on this when it comes out, i think i could get away with a 28 tooth ring up front.
  • 1 0
 so funny, last year i was saying a lot of riders want less gears on "the future of DH" chat thread and go soo much grief for suggesting it,
and now............................

cant wait for the more affordable companys to copy this Smile
  • 1 0
 I'm still on 8speeds and frankly will never change to 9 or 10 speeds. In fact from time to time i cut down my cassette and run as low as just 6 speeds locked out. I will probably run a 11-24 8speed cassette with only 7 cogs for this summer seeing as i don't really need a 28tooth cog for alpine DH...I'd be interested in a 9-21 cassette so i could run an even smaller chainring than my current 32T
  • 1 0
 Does anybody else think that with the smaller cogs, the tension on the chain will be higher? If so, the bearings, chain and cogs might wear out faster. Ok for dh, but might be not be so appropriate for xc, all mountain, freeride.
  • 1 0
 Yes, all those things are true.

Right now it is a competition only set-up. We are not concerned about the wear at this stage It only has to last 3 minSmile

Jason C
  • 1 0
 It's great to think I'll be running a hardcore 6/7 speed hub very soon!

However, there is nothing revolutionary in this design - it's just the old Shimano Capreo folding bike hub/cassette system in a more robust package. Great, but no new technology!
  • 1 0
 I would love to run a 11-36 with a 30 tooth up front on my Remedy, and then a nice 7 speed with a beefier chain on a downhill bike. Only time will tell if it holds up. It is easy to make a proto look good when the pro is replacing it once a month and the used one is getting stress tested, but I expect my drivetrain parts to last at least two seasons. So SRAM let me know when you have a working product that lasts.
  • 1 0
 Ah I just posted coms about this in the 9x36 thread,

Again what is not clear is Hub compatibility, the article states DT have made a special hub 135mm though gives a wider flange and maybe a stronger less dish wheel less width cassette body, all good so far?

What does this leave us, most real DH riders now will have a 150mm rear end bike, check
run std cassette body hubs, I've run Hadley's for years, just use new rims and spokes when needed.

So does this mean I will need new hubs, maybe a new bike to meet back to 135mm rear end or run spacers, which is like another bandaid fwds one way backwards another!

I love the concept because Ive been advocating true DH gearing and transmissions for years, currently run new Saint, with 11/23t or 11/26t cassette & 36t front, I have been running modified 6&7 spd cassettes for ages prior to going Saint I decided to run std 9spd and utilise its close ratio option on the rear d which is super slick and works a treat, as close to a gear box shifting performance Ive run, & coming off XO.

So I'm playing devils advocate here, we always get the marketing spiel about benefits but little about cost of and change over of existing setups, they may have unlimited resources to throw away, but as usual its execution of new designs which is as important as throwing out the bath water for new just to sell products and create new stds, both of which can be achieved with current stds.

If not, at least make that clear!

I'm all for less cog t upfront, 32t is great and smaller chain guides, and a 9t x whatever rear, its what changes to wheels back ends that has me unclear at present!
  • 1 0
 Well, it's not exactly available, so you won't have to worry about buying anything. This is just for the Monter Team a some select test riders right now. Jason C
  • 1 1
 If Sam Hill was running a 15 gear in the back it would be the ultimate set up,now he is using 6 and it is the ultimate set up ,pure hype,not to mention that there is maybe 20 guys in the entire world that are good enough to have benifit from it,all of the remaining wont even feel a difference..........................marketing,marketing
  • 1 0
 Ca doit tin pfffff
  • 3 0
 ha, now we are back to 7spd. Next we will go back to 8spd and all will be right with the world.
  • 1 0
 Curious to hear the 12x135 hub spacing. As far as I knew they were running 12x150 on the new Demo 8 frames, but it's possible the team riders have custom rear ends. I don't see the advantage other than better heal clearance.
  • 2 0
 people forget about the fact that lots of dh bikes have a certain size chainring that they work best with. normally around 34-38
  • 1 0
 Yeah, but bikes would be designed differently anyways to accept a 12x135, so they can make it optimized for a 30T chain ring at the same time assuming they are doing a complete redesign. Making new standards always makes old stuff outdated, I'm glad the industry is finally focusing on DH specific needs and really making the drivetrain optimized.
  • 1 0
 alot of the bikes just now could simply be changed by adding a idler pully to give the chainline something similar to a 36t, but it'll more likely lead to full redesigns as jefe said
  • 3 0
 reminds me a hell of a lot of the Shimano Capreo
www.sheldonbrown.com/capreo/images/capreohub.jpg
  • 1 0
 Thats because it's almost exactly the same.
  • 1 0
 I know, pretty much just added a disc mount and 12mm through axle
  • 4 1
 I would like one of these asap please.
  • 2 1
 Also I'd like to bring to attention the potential value that this could be to everyone, not just DH riders. XC, AM, 4X, DJ, even some street riders... tighter(lol), lighter, more compact is always good in my eyes,
  • 2 0
 for racers that are lookin for that racer edge, go for it, but i still find it unnecessary for the common rider
  • 4 0
 What about strong trail riders who run a single 32 tooth ring up front?
  • 3 0
 touche
  • 2 0
 My 1X10 setup would benefit nicely with this...
  • 1 0
 If they do change the chain and it will work out with 9t cog as reliably as current "technology" it's gonna be fine. 30t up front would do me great here on trails. In general saller cogs are less efficient than big ones, so weight penalty is a lesser evil. 1x10 itself has few pretty serious and not so talked about flaws for technical XC/trail riding though.

1.chain gets crossed a lot which is not good for explosive power transfer, characteristic of tech trail riding. it is easy to snap the chain especially on FS bike. All it takes is brutal pedal hammering while going on top of a bigger rock step. A thing you could run away with on 2x9 setup while being on granny. Maybe you could get a stiff link, that's it

2.front mech and granny is an "emergency button" if you forgot to shift down while suddenly an uphill wall raises from nowhere. You drop to granny and shift the rear as far up as you can. That takes less time than going all the way from small cogs up just through the rear.

I mean there is a performance trade off made, in my opinion. You win simplicity and a pound of weight shaving, but you definitely don't get any reliability win due to higher risk of chain snapping.
  • 1 0
 ok so sam hill on his 2010 demo had 12x150 so the 2011 did this as well, now they are running their 2011 with a 12x135? Spesh just like to keep people guessing
  • 1 0
 exactly what I was thinking
  • 1 0
 i'm honestly shocked this hasn't been developed years ago. it just makes sense to me and i would definately purchase a dedicated dh group. i want this!
  • 1 0
 I think it's a good idea and if people dont like it they dont have to run that setup but id like to try it.
  • 1 0
 This is awesome!!!! I like it alot, im looking forward to hearing more about it Smile
  • 1 0
 Wanna send me the hub and cassette protos Specialized? I'll demo them and write a blog Wink
  • 1 0
 I've always thought that 6 gears were more than enough on a DH bike! about time
  • 1 0
 6/7 speeds are coming back
  • 2 2
 fukc yeah i hope so! i dont really like the idea of having to change cogs after every ride 9 and 10 speed shit is weak enough as it is but i guess it makes sense if you dont wrench your self and if your sam hill or something and you can just have everything replaced after every race. me personally i feel bad enough throwing so much 9-10 spd stuff away as it is. going smaller, lighter, weaker sorry but im not down! BRING BACK 6,7,8 speed PLEASE!!!!!!!
  • 1 1
 Um... they are bringing 6 speed back, that's the whole point of the article. What's your argument exactly?
  • 1 0
 im not arguing about any thing
  • 2 1
 gonna be a trend and die im sure
  • 1 0
 Nice to see this on the market! Super stoked!
  • 1 0
 good idea for strictly DH bikes for sure
  • 1 0
 Makes infinitely more sense than running 36T rings and 10 speed cassettes.
  • 1 0
 Looks tight! I'd use it Smile
  • 1 0
 6 gears is more like it. I'd like a 3 or 4 gear version for slope or 4x.
  • 1 0
 9tooth 9tooth 9tooth 9tooth. i wanna go fast!
  • 1 0
 i will buy it
  • 1 0
 i still want 9
  • 2 0
 And I use just five...
  • 1 0
 Still a great hub though
  • 1 0
 Just shimano Capreo in a more robust package.

onohiroki.cycling.jp/image/SANY3282capreo-RH.jpg







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