Truvativ HammerSchmidt AM Crankset: OverDrive technology: 2-speed internal transmission system provides a 22/36t or 24/38t combination with included 22t or 24t single chainring. ISCG or ISCG05 3-tab frame interface required to engage transmission...
Submitted by
kameraguy
a Weekend Warrior
from San Jose, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: January 31, 2012
Strengths: Everything advertised is true. Shift anytime you want, load independent. Integrated chain retention. More clearance than a traditional bash guard.
Weaknesses: HEAVY. Freewheel "rattle" as others mentioned. Spendy (but if you think about how much a nice traditional crankset costs, the extra cost is not too much given all the advantage IMHO).
Bottom Line:
Let me start off saying the rattling sound when you freewheel is audible, but not nearly as annoying as some make it out to be. Of course it would be nice to be quieter, but really, it's not that big a deal. Also, the drag in the overdrive mode is NOT THAT BAD too. Is it there, sure. But I honestly don't notice. Then again, I'm not doing XC races so perhaps I'm less critical over efficiency.
Prior to running the Hammerschmidt, I had a single-ring setup. This was light and I never dropped a chain but I also had less success clearing climbs.
I didn't want to run a traditional front derailleur, so I looked into the Hammerschmidt as a good alternative. Found a great deal on it and it has been a godsend.
Simply put: I absolutely LOVE it. It was one of the best purchases I made for my bike aside from converting to gravity dropper seatposts. If you can think of it this way: neither is really "necessary", but they make a positive improvement to your fun and performance.
With the hammerschmidt, all the advertised features are legit. Shifting is perfect. So fast. Anytime. Clearance for obstacles is impressive. Chain retention is also addressed with a variable top plate.
One caveat: make sure you buy the right version that matches your ICG tab spacing. I made the mistake and got the wrong kind, but fortunately my LBS was able to order the replacement back plate to address the problem.
It's going to add a pound or two to your bike if coming from a standard crankset. But obviously this is no light-weight part.
The crankset seriously rocks. If you hate front derailleurs more than extra weight, this is the best way to go if you want more than one gear up front. No complaints so far. It has worked flawless for me. Now if only they would make a lighter version, but I have no idea if they are even pursuing development anymore...which is a shame if so because this is an awesome piece of kit.
Bike Setup: 2011 Canfield One, all XO drivetrain (including XO Hammerschmidt shifter), I9 endure wheelset, 2011 Marzocchi 66 RC3 Evo Ti, 2011 X-Fusion Vector HLR with Ti spring, Chromag cockpit, Canfield Crampon pedals, KS dropper seatpost.
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Submitted by
specialev
a Cross Country Rider
from Renton, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: June 30, 2011
Strengths: On the fly shifting, fantastic clearance, sealed assembly
Weaknesses: Heavy and noisy
Bottom Line:
This came on a bike I bought used from a friend and now I couldn't imagine using anything else. The on the fly shifting and clearance makes up for the weight gain you suffer. I haven't had any maintennance issues with it yet though after a year the bash guard has a crack...need to replace that.
Strengths: ground clearence, instant shifting(even while not pedaling), no dropped chains, short cage derrailur compatable
Weaknesses: requires constant cleaning & maintinence, slight drag in OD, not compatable with all frames with ISCG tabs (such as some frames with 150mm swingarms)
Bottom Line:
despite the downfalls I honestly don't think I could ride another mountain bike without the HS - it simply makes the ride more enjoyable with the instant shifting it provides
Bike Setup: Lenz Behemoth 150mm rear with custom internal Hammerschmitd spacers to get the system to be compatable
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Submitted by
jim.crabtree
a Weekend Warrior
from UK
Date Reviewed: April 21, 2011
Strengths: instant gear change, no more lost chain. Yay!
Weaknesses: poor sealing
planets wear out
ISIS drive side BB bearings wear to quick
Bottom Line:
I will struggle to go back to double chainring but the product needs love to keep it sweet.
I replaced the grease on a reasonably regular basis after making a tool to crack the thing open, but the planet gears have worn after only a year of use.
The drive side BB bearings also wear out very quickly, Sram would like to sell you a complete new BB but you can replace them individually (check Enduro bearings), again this is not good.
The problems don't quite make up for the strength of the product.
When working its fantastic but needs to be better developed before I would recommend.
Submitted by
haydo
a Weekend Warrior
from Auckland New Zealand
Date Reviewed: March 28, 2011
Strengths: Great ground clearance really simple construction for what it can do.
Weaknesses: Apart from the weight and the drag its pretty sweet.
Bottom Line:
Great product, but I worry it loads up the Hub free body and cassette when shifting under load which is a bit of a no no for standard gear.it's almost encouraged as a feature.
Similar Products Used: Well the only similar product would be a normal crankset ?
Bike Setup: 08 Bullit
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Submitted by
alexandermarin
a Weekend Warrior
from Boulder, Colorado
Date Reviewed: September 2, 2010
Strengths: Great clearance, can use ALL gear combinations 2 x 9, instant shift
Weaknesses: noisy in overdrive mode
Bottom Line:
Very happy with this crank. If installed correctly, i.e., chain ring in the middle of the cassette, you can use all the gear combinations. With the 22 in the front and a 11-34 (or 36) you get all you need for steep uphill to light downhill. The overdrive, unfortunately, is less compelling. The whirling sound of the internal gears is not much of a bother but the ratchet sound is pretty annoying. Not a problem when you just bomb down a more or less obstacle free fire road but on technical trails the ratchet is just constantly making rather loud clicking noises. When you do not turn the pedals, that is, just coast down some technical trail, every little obstacle triggers that annoying sound. This sound makes the Hammerschmidt sound more like a 99 cent carnival toy than the $500 professional equipment is it supposed to be. After some time you learn how to minimize the need for the overdrive. Overall still a great product but SRAM better finds a way to silence that ratchet.
Strengths: Shifts quicker that any front shifter out there. Nothing comes close. Shift anytime, weather pedaling or not. Lots of clearance, looks great. EASY INSTALL with great instructions with lots of detail and a DVD.
Weaknesses: None so far.
Bottom Line:
This is a great product. I could not even think about going back to a traditional front chain ring set-up. This is good for weekend warriors, downhill, free ride, etc. However, may be on t
Similar Products Used: Traditional front chainring set-ups.
Bike Setup: Intense Slope Style, Hope Brakes and hubs, Mavic 721, Sram X9 (10 Speed).
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Submitted by
Sherms
a Downhiller
from San Diego, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 31, 2010
Strengths: Instantaneous shifting, great ground clearance, very stiff, never cross chain again, looks awesome
Weaknesses: None really, but if you're picky, there is a bit of a winding sound when in overdrive.
Bottom Line:
I don't really see any weakness with the Hammy aside from the winding noise when overdrive is engaged. Just accept this as a given when using the Hammy. I'm not worrying about it. Nothing is perfect, but the hammerschmidt is pretty damn close to it.
Again, this is new tech, so it will take some getting used to. The upshift/downshift is backwards compared to a regular X9 shifter and pedaling with what equates to a 36t is a bit different, but will make you a stronger rider. I never have to worry about dropping a chain again or cross chaining. The setup allows me to go through my entire cassette in the 22t mode smoothly and easily transition to the 36t mode with no problem.
Shifting is near instantaneous and silent. Very little chainslap even when I'm on the 11t of the cassette. Since it has an integrated chain guide, I never once worried about dropping the chain. Usually when bombing down a long rock garden, I have to do a half pedal stroke somewhere just to make sure my chain hasn't dropped. Not with the Hammy. I was bombing down Barney Rubble @ Noble Canyon at DH bike speeds without fear of dropping the chain. Not once did I spank the bashguard on anything even though my DB Mission has a very low BB.
The hammerschmidt is a work of art that has people asking... "hey, can I try it out?" The most common comment after a short test ride is, "I want it."
Bottom Line... if your bike has ISCG tabs and you like to ride as fast and hard as you can. The hammerschmidt is for you. Just understand that it will take some getting used to. But once you change your riding paradigms, you'll be hooked.
Submitted by
Tbras104
a Cross Country Rider
from Asheville
Date Reviewed: March 26, 2010
Strengths: Instant shifting anytime, compact design, single ring security with built in bash and guide.
Weaknesses: None when riding flats... with clipless pedals I have hit my ankle on the crank from time to time. I have made some cleat adjustments, and think that this issue is solved. There is also some "drag" or "resistance" when in overdrive, but it is not noticable unless climbing.
Bottom Line:
This product has been great for the type of riding that I do. I like to ride anything that the trail throws my way, as well as some light freeride stuff. Being able to shift under load, or standing still, or whenever I want has been great. For the rider who has to pedal to the top of whatever he/she wants to ride down, but isn't racing to get there, the Hammerschmidt is the ticket. Now you can decide at the last second you want to change gears. I have been really happy with the ground clearance, and security that this setup has provided also.
Bike Setup: Transition Covert with DHX-Air, Float 160RC2, and Hammerschmidt.
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Submitted by
eastongeneral
a Cross Country Rider
from Oregon
Date Reviewed: March 5, 2010
Strengths: Shifts without pedaling. Great clearance.
Weaknesses: In overdrive you lose power in the transmission only really noticeable on sustained big ring climbs. I've heard that loss is on the order of a few percent which is huge on long rides. Shifts almost too quickly
Bottom Line:
I wouldn't use this product on a AM/trail bike. It would seem that the fast shifting would be good for techy trail riding with punchy climbs but I ran into a couple issues. A normal crankset will only shift in your power stroke. This shifts anywhere so if you throw it up into the overdrive when you are in a dead spot of your stroke, your feet will stop turning and fly off the pedals (if you ride flat pedals). This only happens in certain cases where you up shift a little early (before you actually have the power to turn that higher gear in anticipation of having that power soon ie. hill crest). If you are in too high a gear in the rear, the shift to overdrive causes an instant huge jump in gear ratio. I found myself shifting with both hands a lot to try and prevent this. The other issue is a combination of the first two. Since you lose efficiency in the overdrive, I would always try to use the little cogs (11t 13t) in the back on fast pedaly sections rather than going into the overdrive. When you are in the 11 tooth cog in the back then you hit the overdrive it is a huge jump and you are instantly underpowered for your gear selection. So again, I always found myself shifting with both hands at once. Not that that is a huge deal but its kinda of a pain in the ass to shift 4 gears in the rear and spin out for a second in anticipation of hitting the overdrive to get back where you want to be. If you are a freerider or DHer and the alternative is a single ring go for it but its not that cool for trail riding. It's sweet to f around with in the parking lot and the clearance is great but I'll keep my XT double at less than half the price in for the trail.
Submitted by
gastonbx
a Weekend Warrior
from Buenos Aires, Argentina
Date Reviewed: February 5, 2010
Strengths: Clearance, chainguide, maintenance.
Weaknesses: None I've found.
Bottom Line:
My review is on the FR version. As already said above, it is a little noisier for the first rides in 1:1, but nothing important. The shifting is supreme in front and rear, the relationships are excellent, the chain stays fixed and the rear does not bump ever. The weight in this conditions is not important, you don't feel it. But the overall is really great, no worries about the chain or rocks hitting the bikes belly.
Bike Setup: Ransom 30, Domain 318, Mavic Deetrax, SRAM x9
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Submitted by
stepenliem
a Weekend Warrior
from Antioch, CA
Date Reviewed: October 23, 2009
Strengths: Perfect for riding in bikepark, DH slopes
Weaknesses: Weight, dont use this if you are doing more trail riding than DH/bikepark riding.
Bottom Line:
I have to say that this product made my day at Northstar (Tahoe). The fact that I can instantly go back and forth between drive and over-drive is truly sweet. If you ever been to Northstar at Tahoe, there is a particular singletrack (Competition-Woods)that has fast up and down switchbacks. That is where Hammerschmidt shines. In this type of tracks, weight is not an issue.
However, having said this, if you intend to use your bike more in XC trail type of tracks, even at a moderate level, this thing will kill you. My advice, dont put it on if that's what you want to do.
So my ratings are based on how it performs in bike park or DH slopes.
Hey all.
I am wondering if someone with a 2009/2010 GT Sanction would be interested in swapping + (plus cash) their bottom bracket and crankset with me. I want to go with a dual Read More »
