Pompetamine Monstercross/tourer

I'm mildy obsessed with Ted James' centre mounted gearbox 29er at the moment, I really like the concept of the heavy part being in the centre of the bike, with nice light wheels.

A Pompetamine frame could be adapted for this, with the disc mount swapped to the (conventional) drive side.

I admit my motivation is mainly "thats' cool", however.

^ Would it be an Alfine? Only I wasn't clear on if the disc mount is utilised for mounting the non drive side cog.

I'd certainly want to fit some kind of mud shield over it for easy cleaning.

It's not a new concept though...Nicolai have been mounting their hub gears centrally for years...then GT also tried it. Both were tidier executions of the idea.

I'm also baffled as to why the OP isn't just going for a JTEK bar end alfine shifter? It's a far tidier option than either a twist grip on the bar end or an extra section of bar to mount a shifter on.

It's not a new concept though...Nicolai have been mounting their hub gears centrally for years...then GT also tried it. Both were tidier executions of the idea.

A bit like this beauty then ;-)

Somewhat nicer indeed.

I'm also baffled as to why the OP isn't just going for a JTEK bar end alfine shifter? It's a far tidier option than either a twist grip on the bar end or an extra section of bar to mount a shifter on.

I'd image the wheel they bought came with the trigger shifter and they don't want to buy the Jtec unit.

over 3kg for just the gears

A bit like this beauty then ;-)

I dare you to post that in the Porn thread.

^ Would it be an Alfine? Only I wasn't clear on if the disc mount is utilised for mounting the non drive side cog.

I'd certainly want to fit some kind of mud shield over it for easy cleaning.

ted has alfine, with flanges chopped off.
and cogs on both sides, that thing is daunting in an awesome way.

I dare you to post that in the Porn thread.

I'll need to check that it's a "proper" mtb first :-)

ted has alfine, with flanges chopped off.
and cogs on both sides, that thing is daunting in an awesome way.

I can imagine that works great for damage limitation, as well as centralising the hub weight. If only there was a lightweight XC option.

Sub 500 gram 3spd Rohloff hub please!

Yeah, considering using stock shifters because this was supposed to be a dirt cheap, £99 frame, build it to see if it turns out as a bike that I can find use for type project. It's got a hand applied Rapha-esque paint job even.

I got the wheel/Alfine from the BikeRadar classifieds and it came with the trigger shifters and the grip shifters. Having those here and not having to spend £75 on a bar end shifter is the main motivation in trying them. I was planning on just mounting them on the tops, where the bar tape ends, near the stem and using them as you would with flat bars. I've never used a bar end shifter and now I think about it, I guess you could shift with the heel of your hand while in the drops...is that how they're used? I always figured letting go of the bar and working it with thumb/forefinger. But even so, if I'm using midge bars with aero levers, there is a good chance I'm going to have to move from my current position to shift, so can't see why a bar end type would be better. Plus, it's a massively heavy farting about, touring bike not a crit machine so lightning fast changes aren't exactly priority ;) At least with stock I know they'll work, have a natty gear indicator and allow me to shift from at least one position with both hands on the bars.

Stickers arrived from Roboto. Mucho thanks, I love them!

Haven't touched the forks, they just have some tape on one leg...not sure if I'm going to bother with any paint on them.

Waiting on a bunch of stuff in the post. This weekend I should have almost complete build pictures.

Humph. Just had a look and neither the trigger shifters or the twist grip, which I've decided would be perfect for my needs, will fit over the Midge bars :(

Can't see a way the grip shift could be modified either (to work on the tops, not hanging off the drop).

?

I'm mildy obsessed with Ted James' centre mounted gearbox 29er at the moment, I really like the concept of the heavy part being in the centre of the bike, with nice light wheels.

A Pompetamine frame could be adapted for this, with the disc mount swapped to the (conventional) drive side.

I admit my motivation is mainly "thats' cool", however.

I dont see the attraction. When the alfine came out, and more people started putting heavy hub gears on MTBs. I thought brilliant a bit of extra weight over the rear contact patch, so you can get a touch further forward when climbing.

It's not a new concept though...Nicolai have been mounting their hub gears centrally for years...then GT also tried it. Both were tidier executions of the idea.

The crank based gear boxes are the cleanest looking. I've even seen afat bike version. Not cheap though.

Humph. Just had a look and neither the trigger shifters or the twist grip, which I've decided would be perfect for my needs, will fit over the Midge bars :(

Can't see a way the grip shift could be modified either (to work on the tops, not hanging off the drop).

There are a number of solutions. They are all ugly. Buy the J-teks.

Functional, but really ugly! I haven't had a chance to properly look at it, see what the difference is and whatnot. Now I've pictured the grip shift on the tops, I really want it. Not sure if there is a realistic. Engineering solution though. Might have to be JTek after all.

Functional, but really ugly! I haven't had a chance to properly look at it, see what the difference is and whatnot. Now I've pictured the grip shift on the tops, I really want it. Not sure if there is a realistic. Engineering solution though. Might have to be JTek after all.

Look at the fugly options.

Buy flat bars attach twist shift. Then these to make drops.....

Buy a purpose split set of drop bars (from germany, not sure you still can though)

Attach to the end of the drop.

Attach via a special stem clamp.

Attach via a Cinelli Spinachi clamp (I have one of these I'm not using BTW)

Clamp to the steerer vis a light mount system.

Clamp to a bar bolted to a frame braze-on.

I should get comission from J-Tek.

Hmmm...lots to think about.

Is that meant to operated by your knee.

It probably would be :-/

Need to stop getting carried away and to avoid JTek alternatives that would end up costing way, way more, à la:

Need to stop getting carried away and to avoid JTek alternatives that would end up costing way, way more, à la:

Reminds me of the old Raleigh Chopper 3 speed shifter.

Lols.

Coming along. Turns out 3 minutes with a file and you can have the Alfine trigger shifters on Midge bars no problem at all.

Just need pedals and saddle to buy. Brake cables to fit (and bar tape to properly wrap), mudguards to tweak and fettle (align, space and cut down the bolts on the inside since clearance is a little tight with the 35c tyres) and figure out how to set up hub gears.