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14 March 2008 1 min readMoultonbuzzMoulton BC
Sturmey Archer (or Sunrace Sturmey Archer as they are officially known these days) are at the International Bike Show in Taipei, and they're showing off a new 8 speed hub gear with a wider 325% range. This compares favourably with the 305% range on the current 8-speed. Pictured below is the disk brake version (X-RK 8), but it is expected to be available in the roller, drum and freewheel (no brake) versions also.
They are also bringing back a coaster brake version of the 5-speed hub gear. I'm a big fan of coaster brakes so I'm very happy to hear this. Currently, if you want a Sturmey hub with a coaster brake, you have to settle for a 3 speed.
All new 8 speed. 325% total range.
New 8 speed, disc side.
Closeup, new 8 speed.
A few new products that we are debuting at the show are the all new 8 speed hub as well as bringing the 5 speed coaster back into production. Both models offer a wider gear ratio with many internal changes.
All new 8 speed. 325% total range.
New 8 speed, disc side.
Closeup, new 8 speed.Tagged:Gears
Back to latest newsComments (3)
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PeLu
18 years ago
When they introduced the former 8-speed hub a few years ago, one representative also said that it could be relatively easy 'expanded' to a 16 speed hub (my opinion: more likely to a 15 speed one).
Unfortunatley there was nothing to be heard since then about it.....
G
Group51uk
18 years ago
It's got to be easy to maintain and reliable. The shell on the new hub looks significantly larger in mid-section than on the current one:
http://www.sturmey-archer.com/productimages/600x600/8spd/XRK8_A_600.jpg
Perhaps this means it is has larger, more tolerant and robust cogs? I'd suggest this is more important than massive range (although the extra 20% is very welcome, 325% is cake and eat it territory), in particular, if they want to compete with the Alfine in the commuter segment.
MH
Martin Hartley
16 years ago
The 325% range will be very useful, but the first-gear direct drive makes this hub really only useful for small-wheeled bicycles. I don't mind, because I'd like to put one of these hubs on my Raleigh Twenty!