HubDock Quick Release Rear Wheel: Would this work on a Cruzbike?

kling

Active Member
Hi all,

Just saw this on Kickstarter

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/486778887/hubdock-quick-release-rear-wheel?ref=live

A new hub design that allows quick release of the rear wheel (which would be the drive front wheel on a Cruzbike) whilst leaving the gears/chain untouched!

Thought it would be worth asking whether this would work on a Cruzbike, as I tend to get far more front wheel punctures and it is frustrating messing with the chain driven wheel (Silvio>>Quest).

Cheers
Kendrick
 

Eric Winn

Zen MBB Master
Perhaps this will work this

Perhaps this will work this time. The concept is not new and failed before in the marketplace for various reasons, some of which look to still be in play. I was intrigued when I saw it but after doing some reading I think I would prefer to let others be early adopters and prove the durability and drive the cost down before I would be interested.

There is a thread on BROL discussing this:

http://www.bentrideronline.com/messageboard/showthread.php?p=1049255

Some history:
http://classicrendezvous.com/Italy/Cinelli/Cinelli_BiVal_B-Guide.htm


-Eric
 

kling

Active Member
Thanks

Hi Eric,

thanks for that research. Will keep an eye on the Kickstarter campaign and hope it makes it to market.

regards
Kendrick
 

Eric Winn

Zen MBB Master
John, will it work on a

John, will it work on a Vendetta?

My other concern is with a trainer like the KICKR and LeMond Revolution which have a cassette attached to the trainer. Especially since I recently ordered a KICKR.

I posted a comment and question on DCRainmaker.com to Ray about this and encouraged Wahoo to repond as well.

If the HubDock will work on the Vendetta, Silvio, and other bikes AND work on the KICKR, then I'm in.

If it will definitely work on the Vendetta then I would consider backing them and then start pestering Wahoo to make it work on the KICKR.

I am curious how Mr. Ashman will get his patent application approved since there is obvious prior art, although looking at this mess, it appears to me the patent process is very broken...


-Eric
 

John Tolhurst

Zen MBB Master
If there is a nut on one

If there is a nut on one dropout and a QR on the other I suppose lots of trainers will be compatible.

Patenting is not the only path to protection for small to mid sized enterprise. Just having the design and paying for the tooling can be enough to take the gloss of anyone else getting in there. But if the product explodes (don't think this will) then patents are essential.

It would work beautifully on Silvio and Vendetta, I believe (not having seen one in the metal or tried it.)
 

MrSteve

Zen MBB Master
Adapting The Good Ol' Cush-Drive

My old Norton had this feature incorporated in the design of the rear wheel.
Norton called the Cush Drive.

When the axle was pulled, spacers were freed which allowed the rear wheel
to be pulled away from the sprocket, the drive chain and the brake drum assembly, which
stayed on the swingarm.

The hubdock is similar to the old Norton design, in that it connects the wheel
to the drive chain and sprocket(s) in such a way that the wheel can be disconnected
from the drive chain and sprocket(s), leaving them in place.
The hubdock differs from the Norton design in that it does not include rubber dampeners between the drive wheel
and the sprocket.

The hubdock would add some cost, weight and complexity, but it would be invaluable
during a race, saving time when a wheel is swapped... maybe.
I've seen a lot of wheel swapping on T.V., during the Tour de France.
Those guys are FAST.


 

TimOz

Member
Patents

You can patent a "novel invention" and that is what most people think about as a patent. You can also patent an "improvement" on prior art. It is less secure as others can find other ways to get around the problem but other patents on the methods and methods of manufacture can still be very useful Intellectual Property protection.
 

Eric Winn

Zen MBB Master
Price seems to be the road block

As of 1 April, 2013, they have 19 days left and they are only at 12 percent of their funding goal. To reach their goal they would need to clear almost $2500 per day of pledges for the next 19 days. Their current pledges average to about $131 per day since the start of the project. Not good prospects.


I've seen a good deal of talk and interest being expressed but the pledges aren't coming in. From comments I've read on different forums, price seems to be the road block.



Only 13 people have backed amounts that result in getting one of the HubDocks. 25 people are backing for a certificate or T-shirt. This is a total of 38 backers yet the page shows 49 backers.



Seems like the message is not resonating and I don't get how they count backers....

 

John Tolhurst

Zen MBB Master
The beauty of kickstarter is

The beauty of kickstarter is that it weeds out the fluffy stuff. If the rest isn't sufficient, be grateful you didn't sink your own dollars.
 
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