Sturmey Archer (or Sunrace Sturmey Archer as they are officially known these days) are at the International Bike Show in Taipei, and they're showing off a new 8 speed hub gear with a wider 325% range. This compares favourably with the 305% range on the current 8-speed. Pictured below is the disk brake version (X-RK 8), but it is expected to be available in the roller, drum and freewheel (no brake) versions also.
They are also bringing back a coaster brake version of the 5-speed hub gear. I'm a big fan of coaster brakes so I'm very happy to hear this. Currently, if you want a Sturmey hub with a coaster brake, you have to settle for a 3 speed.
A few new products that we are debuting at the show are the all new 8 speed hub as well as bringing the 5 speed coaster back into production. Both models offer a wider gear ratio with many internal changes.
All new 8 speed. 325% total range.
New 8 speed, disc side.
Closeup, new 8 speed.
When they introduced the former 8-speed hub a few years ago, one representative also said that it could be relatively easy ‘expanded’ to a 16 speed hub (my opinion: more likely to a 15 speed one).
Unfortunatley there was nothing to be heard since then about it…..
It’s got to be easy to maintain and reliable. The shell on the new hub looks significantly larger in mid-section than on the current one:
http://www.sturmey-archer.com/productimages/600×600/8spd/XRK8_A_600.jpg
Perhaps this means it is has larger, more tolerant and robust cogs? I’d suggest this is more important than massive range (although the extra 20% is very welcome, 325% is cake and eat it territory), in particular, if they want to compete with the Alfine in the commuter segment.
The 325% range will be very useful, but the first-gear direct drive makes this hub really only useful for small-wheeled bicycles. I don’t mind, because I’d like to put one of these hubs on my Raleigh Twenty!