PeT said:
Have you reviewed the Schlumpf Speed Drive yet? If not (and even if so), could you give a report on it? For instance, how's the efficiency? how's the ease of the shift? did you use their cranks? how's the quality of the crank?
I like the Sclumpf system alot. I don't notice any efficiency issues. Today it was cold as I said and it never missed a beat. On the stand you feel a slight lag in engagement but I never feel it on the road or trail. The shift is something that you have to get used to. Not as much in regards to shifting on purpose but in shifting by accident. It is alot easier and reliable for me now than using anything with a front der..
The stock crank arms are just pretty cheap units but I use them and they have never given me any problems. Using the Mtn. Drive on the 'Moth the stock crank on the non-drive side didn't have enough set to it so I am running an XC Pro arm on it. But they aren't much on snob apeal for sure, however the do get the job done. I keep on thinking I should research getting something more upscale going but if it ain't broke I usually don't fix it.
The Speed Drive doesn't allow anything lower than like a 22" gear which is fine on that bike but using the Mtn. Drive on the 'Moth I get something like a 15" gear which I use to help haul the extra weight of the bike uphill more than I am sure others would like to admit to. However the high gears on both bikes are above 110 so getting down the road is still brisk.
Chainline is kind of an issue depending on the frame as there is not adjustment at the bb because the housing locks into a chamfer in the bb shell. This also needs a special tool to achieve along with a few other special tools for assembly/dis-assembly so the initial investment in Schlumpf is kind of a turn off, especially now that the Euro is so strong. But I got in before the price increase and plan on sticking with the product for a good long time to come. And every indication is that the units will last also with minimal maintenance.
