Originally Posted by
10 Wheels
"A fully enclosed/sealed drivetrain would be nice but the tech doesn't exist yet. I don't mean just IGH but also fully enclosed power transmissions. No more exposed chain / drive shaft, perhaps, not even a chain."
Had one on a Honda 300 Dream. So difficult to adjust.
We have one on our cars and no one's adjusting theirs. On bicycles will just need different frame construction. The enclosed drivetrain unit would probably need to have the BB, chainstay, dropouts, and the sealed drivetrain itself as single piece unit. The frame simply bolts on to the drive train via BB and and the seat stay to the rear drop out and held together by the rear wheel's retaining bolt. It can still use chain but the gearbox would still be IGH style.
There's no question the fully enclosed system is going to be heavier than fully exposed derailleur systems. But it's going to be extremely beneficial to commuters and E-bikes. Like I've said, the vast majority of riders around the world would appreciate more having a bike that only required very light maintenance in one year of all weather riding than being faster than the rest.
Riders who can choose to avoid riding in the rain and have plenty of time to fiddling with their bikes is actually the minority in the global cycling populace. The needs of the few is apparently more important than actually making the right product for the majority. It's just messed up. Way more messed up than the automobile industry.