The "X one" Series 5 Hub Mechanism
The "X one" Series 5 Hub Mechanism (The gravity-zero freewheel hub system is covered by pending Australian and international patent applications.) is fitted to all wheels sets from December 2007 onwards. The Series 5 with increased cam angles and spring tensions lock up is more instant. It eliminates any form of backlash/lag at the hub or pedal: This equals zero lag. In simple terms it is like riding a fixed wheel bike with gears. The "X one" creates a pedalling motion like no other freewheel hub, it propells the riders legs through the position of least mechanical advantage at the top and bottom of each pedal stroke. This moment is sometimes refered to as TDC and BDC, the Top Dead Centre and the Bottom Dead Centre.
Conventional Hubs
In reality, all conventional freewheel rear hubs/wheel sets have lag, some as high as 22.8 degrees = 16%. This is multiplied by two as it affects both pedals/legs before you move in a forward motion.
Riding a bike is a series of repeated common actions: stopping and starting, cornering, changing gear and getting out of your seat while dancing from pedal to pedal when hill climbing. In addition to this every rider has unbalanced leg strength. (Supporting studies show 99% of riders have a uneven power stroke, one leg is stronger than the other.) The stronger leg therefore takes control and the weaker leg is playing catch up over the top and bottom of each pedal stroke. As a result any rider loses an enormous amount of torque and drive without realising it.
The "X one" Advantages
By eliminating hub lag, the rider becomes smoother and more efficient in the pedal stroke and improves the legs momentum. The X one hub instantly transfers power from the first turn of the pedals to the last.
When riding the X one hub/wheels the feeling is simply amazing. Clearly noticeable is how you are instantly propelled forward with an improved power stroke. Both legs work together as one. The rider generates more torque with the same amount of effort, compared to riding a conventional hub.
Supporting independent studies carried out by the Victorian University, Melbourne, Australia, show the X one (Test Hub) has increased torque over a Shimano conventional flywheel hub by up to 21% at 90 RPM.
The X one (Test Hub) has increased torque over a Shimano conventional flywheel hub by up to 21% at 90 RPM.
The X one helps to produce an even torque from both legs.
The same rider using a conventional hub shows an uneven production of torque.
How can I calculate the degrees of lag I have in my old hub?
If you mark one of cassette gears tooth so you can track its rotation slowly turn your crank arms backwards and count the number of clicking sounds that are generated in your rear hub, once the gear has returned to its starting point you divide that number into 360.
