This is the new Ratchet Hub, launching early in 2008… hopefully…
OK call it a cassette hub if you must, but “ratchet” is what it does, how it works and what it’s officially going to be called.
RATCHET HUB FEATURES:
1. Hollow 20mm axle system, as proven on the Homer hubs. Over twice as strong as a solid 14mm axle. Lifetime warranty against bending or snapping, even if it gets run over by a truck.
2. NEW custom hollow 14mm thread bolts, with a 17mm hex head and broached for a 6mm allen-key for maximum compatibility.
3. Oversized cartridge bearings for the hub itself as proven on the Homer hubs. Rated at over half-a-ton each.
4. Threadless press-on collar system for bearing and driver retention. Nothing to adjust or come loose. Again, as well proven on the Homer hubs.
5. Square tooth-profile ratchet-ring and symmetrical one-piece driver for easy left/right hand drive switching.
6. Three (the optimum number) over-size, high-precision, individually-sprung, pawls that work simultaneously. Fully retained to prevent “wandering” and to simplify cleaning without the risk of loosing parts.
7. One-piece drivers down to 10-tooth running on high-load capacity needle roller bearings. Run your chain as tight as you like and NEVER blow a driver bearing.
8. Angled spoke flanges for the absolutely ideal spoke line. If you need a spoke guard, then you need a spoke guard. Fancy machine-work and limited lacing options will not change this.
Most of the problems with existing cassette hubs stem from the axle bending. Not just bending when you land hard or use pegs, but even the gentle bend they sometimes adopt just to match your slightly bent or crooked frame. Using the 20mm Homer axle system that has proven itself so well over the years that it will eliminate this problem a single stroke.
Other problems typically stem from poor driver/pawl tolerancing, or simply everything being made “too small”. By concentrating all our efforts on making one set of three oversize, rock-solid, reliable pawls, the Ratchet hub will avoid these issues too. There are dozens of little design details that have gone into making the Ratchet Hub the most carefully excuted “cassette” to date, and we’re confident that they will shine through when it comes to the hub’s function and performance.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Weight (standard 14mm configuration)……………….. 19 ounces / 540g
Weight (3/8″ bolt option)………………………………..14 ounces / 400g T.B.C.
Weight (14mm bolt Titanium axle option)……………….14 ounces / 400g T.B.C.
Over locknut dimension………………………………….110mm
Spoke hole options……………………………………….36 and 48
Driver Options…………………………………………..10 tooth and above
Release Date……………………………………………..Spring 2008 To Be Confirmed
Recommended Retail Price………………………………$150 – $200 To Be Confirmed
Any questions fire away…
