Convert the ering & hub from Quest to Sofrider

[Greg Forknall]

I did a search but could fine any info on this ...

Would it be feasible ($$ & effort) to fit eRind and hub from Quest to Sofrider ?

I'm not fussed about disc brake so long as the rim pad brakes would work

Thks Greg

 

[Doug Burton]

It will be expensive, but is partially possible

We don't stock extra parts for resale in these categories because our minimum order quantity is 100 on these parts.

I built the prototype Quest V2.0 on a V1.0 frame with parts I purchased at retail. I learned a few things.

1. The retail version of the DualDrive hub is a 36 hole hub. The OEM version we use on the Quest is a 32 hole hub. As I remember, the Sofrider rim is also 32 hole. You'll need a new rim.

2. The cost of the hub kit (including shifter, hub, clickbox and a few installation parts) was $473 US from ProWheelBuilder.com (but they no longer sell it, last I checked). The cost to have the LBS source a rim closely resembling the Quest 26" rear wheel, and build the wheel, was $140 US. (I'm not a wheelbuilder).

3. You can use V-brakes on the wheel if you buy the appropriate rim, with braking surfaces. The hub comes with a cover for the disc mounting holes on the hub.

4. We have considered offering e-ring packages as aftermarket parts (John is the patent holder) but our capital is tightly tied to the overall business plan, which is currently centered on development of new bikes and supporting competition. Bespoke aftermarket parts aren't near the front burner for now. You would need to use a commercially-available eccentric chainring.

I suspect all this wasn't what you were hoping to hear, but I hope the information is helpful.

Best,

Doug

 

[Greg Forknall]

Thanks Doug,
Yeah I was

Thanks Doug,

Yeah I was guessing new wheel or at least respoke to fit the hub ... bumer that you can't sell the parts separately ...

Back to the drawing board.

Thks Greg

 

[Charles.Plager]

Hi Greg,
You could
(1) build

Hi Greg,

You could

(1) build your own SRAM dual drive wheel., and

(2) Put a Q ring on it. On this forum, there is talk about which rings work with which crankset. It's not identical to an E-ring, but it is morally equivalent (I don't have personal experience with either, so that's pretty much all I can say).

If you want the eliptical experience, there are several in the recumbent world (and DF) who have double and triple Q rings and front derailleurs (so you don't need to go with the dual drive at all).

Cheers,
Charles

 

[Greg Forknall]

Hi Charles,
It's not the

Hi Charles,

It's not the eRing that was the main aim it's the sram drive and could go with std ring up front (top) my ride has me needing to do alot of slowing down and quick stops and I get caught in to higher gear.

I'll have to see if some local bike shops could respoke or replace the wheel with sram in it.

Thks Greg

 

[floridabike]

SRAM Duel Drive

Greg,

I was looking at the same setup and this is what I found. Ebay had the SRAM dual drive hub for $168, shifter with clickbox $19, Push rod for hub $6, and 9 speed derailleur $35. About $228 and you still need the 9 speed cassette if you don't have one.

Phil

 

[Greg Forknall]

Hi Phil,
I'm waiting for a

Hi Phil,

I'm waiting for a quote from local shop to do the work see what $$ they come back with.

I'm guessing your USA based " florida"bike tag

Greg

 

[Nanda Holz_2]

Q559 complete wheel pkg

I've got a full wheel package available if interested.

 

[Nanda Holz_2]

...with shifter as well.  I

...with shifter as well. I stripped this of a new Q559 that I converted to Quest 406, and won't likely change it back.

 

[Greg Forknall]

Hi Nanda Holz,
Yes very

Hi Nanda Holz,

Yes very interested what $$ are you after and where are you in the world ?

Greg

 

[Greg Forknall]

After attempting to get

After attempting to get costing and any confirmed info on sram dualdrive from local dealers I was about to give up when I checked spoke count on Sofrider 36 so surely I can use my rim with the aftermarket 36 hole hub?

Also the info I got back was you must (sales pitch) use sram cassette/derailleur, I can't see why I can't use what I have already on the Sofrider.

So I'm left with option one.

sram hub
sram cassette
sram derailleur
sram clickbox
sram shifter
rim
spokes

Or option two. (prefered less $)

sram hub
sram shifter
sram clickbox
my cassette
my derailleur
my rim (my spokes?)
spokes ?

Unless sram gear is actually different ... anyone know !

Greg

 

[Doug Burton]

Derailleur and shifter compatibility

The SRAM shifter won't shift your original derailleur properly (assuming you have the microshift rear derailleur). The cable pull ratios are different.

However, you don't need the DualDrive rear derailleur, which is actually a SRAM X-5 with differnt lettering. A SRAM x-3 or x-4 will work if you want to save a few dollars. But the X-5 isn't all that expensive.

 

[Doug Burton]

The Sofrider cassette...

... is 8-speed. You'll need a 9 speed cassette. Shimano or SRAM will work. Lots of choices out there for relatively little money on 9-speed cassettes.

 

[John Tolhurst]

I think its possible to buy

I think its possible to buy the hub shifter, without the RD shifter (normally they come in one unit). If you get the seperate hub shifter, you can use any rear deraileur system you like.

 

[Charles.Plager]

There is also the option of

There is also the option of just getting an IGH hub with no external derailleurs at all. Fthills, for example, just made a Vendetta build with a Rohloff IGH.

To decide which route to go, I'd use an online gear calculator (here's my favorite with my Sofrider setup) to see what the total range and spacing between gears is and then look at different prices, etc.

Good luck and let us know what you end up doing.

Cheers,
Charles

 

[Greg Forknall]

I'm starting to go the multi

I'm starting to go the multi ratio hubs, even with 3speed hub I would be stuck in hi range on the cassette and change the hub to low I'd be still in a hi gear.

Looking into Shimano Alfine 8 (11 speed 4 months away and hi $) monitoring my gears to see if I can get away with 8 ratios I'd either loss the lowest to have the higher or loss the higher to get the lower gearing , also investigating Sram G8.

Than I'll keep the complete original wheel etc and go with new rim/spokes/hub combo.

It would be difficult to sell sofrider and upgrade to a Quest ... Could you image the test ride =-O

Thks Greg

Still haven't hurd from "Nanda Holz" on his offer to sell his Quest wheel assembly

 

[John Tolhurst]

For most riding, Greg, you

For most riding, Greg, you don't need much range. Leave the hub 2nd gear, which is one to one and no efficiency loss, and do all your changing on the rear derailleur.

When you are climbing change the hub into 1st. When you are going downhill, change it into 3.

 

[Greg Forknall]

Hi John,
From my last ride I

Hi John,

From my last ride I use hi.chaining with 3/4/5 on the cassette most of the time on normal flatish road occasionally 6th, but I find I'm needing lowest on cassette & the chaining on some hills especially toward the end of my ride.

If I can buy the about quest wheel I'd go for that, if I have to change it myself the multi ratio hub would be a cheaper way and I lose all the derailleurs.

The Alfine 8 with 48t chaining and I think it was 20/23t sprocket I'd get very close to what I have less the 2 highest ratios.

One sprocket would give me all the lower ratios and I'd lose the top 2 (7/8) I think I get up as hi as my 6th gear in hi I have now or the other choice I'd lose the lowest gear and gain one more higher gear.

Greg

 

[Romagjack]

You really need a Quest. I've

You really need a Quest. I've enjoyed the Dual Drive more than any bike I've ever had. It's flat land here in Savannah, GA, but I constantly use all 9 gears on the cassette and all 3 hub gears - I'm never in the wrong gear and its great for navigating golf cart paths and bike trails. The disc brakes are a real plus. I just wish I were mechanically inclined as I would put the same system on a Silvio or Vendetta frame.

My Quest video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzidbAhIJnU&feature=share&list=UUP5krmUTIU3znmPrNZMXZ_A

 

[Jake]

Alfine 8

Hi Greg,

My commuter ride has an Alfine 8 paired with a half step triple - http://cruzbike.com/trek-y3-igh

The hub will certainly address your changing-whilst-stationary needs but comes with some issues:

1) Limited 306% gear range.

2) Large jumps between gears, particularly 5th and 6th gears ( 22% if I recall). 5th is the most efficient, (direct drive), so I try to see that at my cruising speed, but all too often I ended up at a speed somewhere in the big gap between 5th and 6th. I never really minded on DFs but I find myself more sensitive to cadence on recumbents.

I solved both these issues by installing a triple chainring. It somewhat spoils the simplicity of hub gears but the halfstep larger rings (39 / 42) nicely split the difference between the Alfines gears, and the granny gear helps to extend the range. Be aware that Alfine's freewheel is not as smooth as a cassettes, so I sometimes get chain derailments when back peddling - could just be my weak chain tensioner though.

Maybe consider the Alfine 11 if your budget allows.

Jake