Is a two-speed BMX bike just too much?

28 10 2011

Pictures have surfaced recently (on BMXmania and Vintage BMX) of Barry Nobles running a 2-speed at the recent Chula Vista SX race.

Granted, this isn’t the first time 2-speeds have been tried.

Back in the 80s, the Browning 2-speed enjoyed some short-lived popularity but was quickly abandoned due to reliability issues.

I’m not sure how I feel about this development. While it’s cool in a whiz-bang, “maybe it will work this time” kinda of way, it doesn’t feel like BMX to me.

Maybe I’m becoming a curmudgeon in my old age.

But isn’t part of the attraction of this sport the simplicity of the bikes? The race community has already adapted clips, if multi-speed bikes are next, are we just a few years from spandex skinsuits and paved tracks?

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Date : October 28, 2011
Tags: 2-speed BMX, Barry Nobles, bmx racing, BMXmania, Browning 2-speed, Chula Vista SX, Clips in BMX racing, Spandex skinsuit, Vintage BMX
Categories : goofiness, New products, New School, Racing

11 responses

28 10 2011: ro (01:21:15) :

their already paving the berms… uh oh.

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28 10 2011: Doublecross (08:03:38) :

Had a browning system back in the day. When you got it dialed in…..it was kick ass!!!

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28 10 2011: Buddy (09:36:48) :

They should def. let the girl racers wear spandex.

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28 10 2011: BobbyP (17:53:23) :

haha.

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28 10 2011: gsguccilife (10:48:21) :

saw this bike,thought it would be interesting for you:
http://www.w-base.com/mt/news/archives/2011/10/430_x_durcus_on.html

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28 10 2011: CroMag (11:37:11) :

VELODROME!!!

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29 10 2011: mattyjo (19:38:50) :

deraileurs have held up for roadies and MTB riders, and let’s face it- some of those apes are pretty burly.

but seriously, if you are gonna go for the simplicity of a 2 or 3 speed, have it be internal. perhaps use a planetary system based on RPM- if the wheel (outer hub) is spinning at a certain RPM, then the gear will change.

wheel spins faster- then gear changes up. wheel spins slow or stop- gear drops down.

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30 10 2011: Mike (19:20:44) :

I think for a 2-speed to work, it need to be internal….IE: No floppy chain.

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31 10 2011: GSUSH (20:21:09) :

BMX embodies single speed, its the unwritten rule!

Whats next racer handlebars and skinny 26″ wheels on a bike with stickers reading “BMX” I don’t think so.

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14 11 2011: Pierre (09:31:24) :

Hi All.
Motobecane tried 2-speeds BMX in France during 1982 with the Motobecane MX25 fully equiped with Shimano DX (crankset with 2 chainrings and variable length arms, posts, pedals and more…)

See picture here: http://www.23mag.com/com/mbk/mbkmx25.jpg

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4 07 2012: Alex (20:09:56) :

Retrovelo Otto Duo 24″ has a Schlumpf crankset, 2speed. Call it a Ponyvelo.

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