Yes, my bike has the Cyclone front disk. I doubt I'll find a way to get mine upgraded to an Avid
though! It's the one thing my bike came without documementation for... do you know where there might
be any on the 'net? Thanks for the tip about the adjuster - I'll be sure to loctite mine. I have to
admit that it didn't thrill me to not find out the efficiency ratings of the Nexus Seven until after
buying the Super Fly but it's clear to me from the study I cited to Sheldon, that by avoiding 5th
gear it's possible to miss the lion's share of the low efficiency ratings for that hub. Consider
that there are derailers that run efficiency down to the low 90's. OTOH I really like the idea that
I'm not going to end up in a left turn lane in front of a bunch of cars, unable to shift out of 13th
gear or with a case of chain-suck at an inopportune moment. I have a couple of questions if you'd be
so kind: I'm new back to biking after a long time away from it and bought the SuperFly after giving
myself a 'crash course' in what was available. You said your SF draws a lot of attention; what is
there about it that does that? I guess to my untrained eyes, a bike is still a bike in most
respects. (I read some very good reviews on the SF before buying it, and was impressed by their
focused model range.) And what's your feeling about the Shimano Nexus 7 - is the extra drag
something that doesn't bug you much, or do you think it will prove to be an annoyance? I know
Sheldon said he's been using one of these for a while and seems enthusiastic about it. What's your
feeling about it? I'd sure appreciate any comments you (or anyone) would offer. Thanks!
-Russ-
"B. Sanders" <
[email protected]> wrote in message
news:<
[email protected]>...
> "Russ" <
[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> > Sheldon, I've just bought a new bike (Van D SuperFly) w/ the Nexus 7 speed and I like it a lot
>
> I have the same bike. It's the slickest city/hybrid/touring bike I've seen. I get *lots* of
> attention riding the Super Fly. People want to know where they can buy one.
>
> If your Super Fly has the Cyclone front disc brake, I suggest that you remove the pad angle
> adjustment screw (concentric to larger caliper screws), and treat it with LocTite. My adjuster
> screw popped out on an early ride, which sidelined the Super Fly until Van Dessel sent a
> replacement front brake (Avid disc - nice upgrade, and sent very quickly). Van Dessel said they
> were planning to switch to Deore mechanical discs soon, so maybe the problem is solved by now.
> They were very helpful, BTW, and obviously care about their customers.
>
> > 1. I've read enough posts and websites to gather that the Nexus 7 does have a bit of internal
> > friction associated with its dual planetary gears. (I got an excellent article on this
> > subject from the Technical Journal of the IHPVA (at URL
http://www.ihpva.org/pubs/HP52.pdf.
>
> This article's results are fairly similar to other tests I've seen for the Nexus Inter 7 hub. Note
> that in 5th gear, efficiency drops down as low as
> 83.6%. Before I saw these test results, I could already tell that 3rd, 4th and 5th gear are the
> least efficient. Guess which gears I use the most? The inefficiencies are definitely
> noticeable.
>
> > Have you found that there is any sort of break-in period associated with the Nexus 7 which helps
> > loosen it up a bit?
>
> Several different people have told me that there is a break-in period. How much of a difference it
> will make is not known.
>
> > 3. Is the difference in friction between an internal hub and a derailleur enough to really
> > amount to anything or do you think it's much ado about nothing?
>
> The Nexus 7 hub constantly feels like I'm pedalling up a slight grade, except in the highest and
> lowest gears. I've also had trouble keeping the gears from shifting accidentally (sensitive
> light-action Revo twist shifters). When the gear alignment indicators are lined up on the hub, I
> have trouble with unwanted over-shifting. I've played around with the adjustment, and finally have
> it where shifting seems OK. So, if this happens, it's not just you.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Barry