HubDock makes it easier to remove a bike's back wheel
By Ben Coxworth February 21, 2013
The HubDock allows cyclists to remove a bicycle's rear wheel without touching the chain or derailleur
Probably just about all cyclists will agree – removing your bike’s rear wheel is a hassle. You have to open and loosen off the quick-release, pull the derailleur cage and chain back out of the way, smack the axle loose of the dropouts, and then guide the cassette cogs around the now-dangling chain. Your hands get dirty in the process, plus you get to look forward to repeating everything in reverse when putting the wheel back on. California-based inventor Leonard Ashman figured that the process ought to be easier, so he created the HubDock – it lets you remove your back wheel, without even touching the drivetrain.
Here’s how the device works ...
The HubDock utilizes a thru-axle which is unthreaded/pulled out of the hub body from the non-drive side, in order to remove the wheel. That axle is subsequently pushed back in/threaded into place when the wheel is reinstalled – a quick-release lever on the end of the axle then ensures that everything remains snugged up. A standard axle, by contrast, stays in place as part of the hub body at all times, and secures the wheel entirely by the pressure of its quick-release or locking nuts.
When the thru-axle is unthreaded and pulled out for wheel removal, the main hub body disengages from its freehub body, which is mounted inside the user-supplied cassette – in other words, the main hub body and the freehub/cassette are no longer attached to one another. Because the cassette and freehub combo stay attached to the bicycle frame, the wheel is then able to simply drop straight down – just like the front wheel does, when you remove it.
Once the tube has been patched, the tire has been changed or whatnot, the wheel is just slid back up into place, the axle is reinserted, and the main hub re-engages the freehub/cassette as the axle is threaded back on. The whole process can be seen in the video at the bottom of this page.
The hub will apparently work on any standard frame, with the existing dropouts. Cassette compatibility presently includes all 11-speed or under models made by Shimano and SRAM. Although the cassette remains attached to the frame when the wheel is removed, Ashman tells us that it can be easily taken off for servicing or replacement.Tipping the scales at 415 grams, the HubDock is within the weight range of most mid- to higher-end rear hubs – the popular Shimano 105 hub, for instance, weighs in at around 420 grams. Additionally, the thru-axle provides a stiffer, more secure method of wheel attachment, which is why they’re currently found in the front hubs of many mountain bikes.
Ashman is now raising production funds for his device, on Kickstarter. A pledge of US$379 will get you a clear-anodized HubDock, when and if the funding goal is met. Colored anodizing will cost an extra hundred bucks.For his part, Leonard can't understand why such a product doesn’t exist already. “I know the bicycle companies hire some pretty sharp engineers, but it seems like they’ve been kind of asleep at the switch for a while,” he said. “Hopefully, I’m going to wake them up.”
Source: Liberty Wheel Systems
http://www.gizmag.com/hubdock-bicycle-rear-hub/26366/
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The fastest and cleanest rear wheel change ever developed. HubDock connects more solidly to the frame than any other quick release. HubDock
Launched: Feb 19, 2013 Funding ends: Apr 20, 2013
Quick Release Bicycle Rear Wheel Axle
The fastest and cleanest rear wheel change ever developed, starting the new Bicycle Revolution. Are you a cyclist who is frustrated with greasy, time-consuming rear wheel changes? Have you dreamed of easily stowing your bike in the trunk instead of on a bike rack? Are you a competitive cyclist who would like to add stability to your ride? What you’ve been waiting for is HubDock, a patented technology that enables a rider to quickly and easily remove the rear wheel without touching the chain or derailleur.
A Revolution in Bicycle Wheel Technology
Years ago, long-time bicycle enthusiast and three-dimensional mechanical designer, Leonard Ashman, was watching his father-in-law struggle trying to change his rear bike wheel. As Leonard watched, he had a flash of insight that after years of design, prototyping and testing lead to the industry-changing quick-release rear wheel axle design – HubDock.
Now that the design is finalized and the prototype perfected, we’re ready to take the HubDock into its first production run. By supporting our efforts, you can be the first to get your hands (and wheels) on this industry-standard shattering rear wheel axle, and help us revolutionize the cycling industry. Over the last three years, Leonard and his team have done exhaustive testing, refinement, and prototyping to bring to market a quick-release rear wheel axle that is easy to use, beautiful, and competitively priced. No such products exist in the market today.
Tests to date have shown that a wheel using the Liberty Wheel driven hub can be removed or replaced in as little as five seconds as compared with contemporary systems requiring between fifteen to twenty seconds or more. Additionally, the Liberty Wheel driven hub exhibits light weight and a more stable load bearing axis. This is accomplished through a double bearing design and use of lightweight metals.
Advantages of the HubDock
1. The rider never has to touch the chain or derailleur in order to remove the wheel.
2. Saves space when stacking rear wheels. Gears stay on the bike!
3. Transfers torque with greater efficiency
4. Racers especially love the stability made possible by the HubDock Design.
Technical Description of the HubDock: Improved Solid Forming Bicycle Axle The present invention teaches a novel axle apparatus for a driven bicycle hub that when used in conjunction with contemporary hubs and freewheel sub-assemblies eliminates the need for a user to become involved in any way with the cog set or chain. The axle is comprised of four main parts: a non-driven side lever and shaft sub-assemblies, a non-driven side axle half shaft sub-assemblies, a guide pin hub insert sub-assemblies, and a driven side axle half shaft sub-assemblies. The design of the HubDock is adaptable to fit all contemporary bicycles. The four sub-assemblies act in concert to form a solid axle in a two-stage action. The mating action is such that misalignment of the wheel is impossible. Here’s how far we’ve come already.
1. Formed an excellent team based in Folsom, California
2. Built and tested generations of prototypes
3. Patented the HubDock technology
4. Tested a production run of alpha units. We have our manufacturing vendors in place for the initial run.
Now, all we need is you!
Within a few months of funding, HubDocks will be ready for shipment. We’ve worked so hard and so long to get this far, so we’re turning to Kickstarter to take the HubDock the last mile. If you decide to give the HubDock a kickstart, you’ll be one of the first to get a revolutionary quick-release rear axle. But more importantly, you’ll play a huge part in starting this revolution in bike technology by providing your feedback and spreading the word about the HubDock. Once our first run of 100 HubDocks is completed, the hubs will be placed with professional teams to generate market interest. The market interest will then be used to create demand from the cycling public.
Project Goal: The goal for the Kickstarter phase of the project is gaining sufficient subscribers to finance the first production run of the driven hub. Our Kickstarter funding goal is $47,000.00.
HubDock
Starting the New Evolution of the Bike
If an invention could be a hero, HubDock would wear a cape. It’s the first, best, and only product able to solve what many call the number one problem with the multi-speed bike. A problem that’s plagued the industry since its first model rolled off the assembly line; and every cyclist whose bike of choice has gears. Simply, and innocently, it’s called The Back Wheel. But don’t let the name fool you. Because this spoked, sprocketed, and chained piece of bicycle anatomy is single-handedly responsible for frustrating millions upon millions of riders the world over. The back wheel of a multi-geared bicycle is just plain exasperatingly hard to take off and even harder to replace and reattach. So, you ask, why do it? Answer? You have to.It is the only way to fix a flat in the back. Why else? Mobility and storage. But that’s only if the rear wheel were easy to remove…which it’s not…without HubDock.
What cyclists hate about removing the back wheel?
·It’s difficult. When it comes to fixing a rear flat, plenty of cyclists find it so complicated, even intimidating, they just can’t do it. And no wonder! A flat in the back requires the rear wheel to be removed, realigned, and reattached. And that can all add up to a minefield of problems for the average recreational ride; getting the derailleur or chain caught up in the wheel, or the cogs snagged in the chain; or, the dangling, greasy chain accidentally being dragged through dirt. And, improperly mounting the wheel to the frame during reinstall could result in trouble shifting and bike handling.
·It’s dirty. That greasy chain and grimy derailleur get you, your hands, your clothes and gear filthy.
·It wastes valuable time. Having to remove your rear wheel means a loss of leisure time, and often at the worst time…like on the bike trail near dusk. It takes away time on the road, which is why you’re on the bike to begin with.
What do cyclists love about removing the back wheel with HubDock?
·It's Easy. From a complex and confusing task, HubDock makes changing a real wheel easy, almost effortless, so you can literally pop the rear wheel off and on like magic. No more stress fest. When fixing a flat, the troublesome chain and derailleur no longer interfere with the rear wheel allowing better, more secure reconnections and no misalignments. And now, with HubDock, you can remove both wheels in seconds, stash your bike in the trunk, and head out for the open road. Even more, HubDock creates new possibilities for storage. It’s amazing the spaces and places you can find for your bike without that rear wheel attached.
·It's Clean. These days even average car owners refuse to change their own oil. And changing a back wheel on a geared bike can be an even dirtier business. Without having to touch the greasy chain or derailleur, HubDock makes rear wheel removal stain-free. No more greasy, grimy hands that can ruin a bike trip and pricey apparel.
·It’s Fast. You can time it.Taking only about 5 seconds to put on and about 5 seconds to take off, a HubDock wheel removal is the speedy solution to getting back to those happy trails.No more stress fest …and no more throwing away precious free time on a dirty task.
Sterling Ashman (son) and Leonard Ashman
Reward Details
The $379.00 reward is for Hubdock Axle which will need to be laced up on your wheel. At this level the hub is silver in appearance which is a clear anodized color.
The $479.00 reward is also for a Hubdock Axle and you may choose from the following colors: Red, Green, Violet, Blue or Gold.
The $800.00 and $1500.00 reward includes the Hubdock laced up on wheels and you may choose from the same following colors: Red, Green, Violet, Blue or Gold. Please specify your hub spoke count, such as 32, 30 or 28 number of spokes.
MEMORY NUT $11.50
The Memory Nut replaces the standard nut on your front wheel skewer. Set it perfectly once and Memory Nut remembers your skewer tension forever. Removing your front wheel becomes hassle free and takes only 5 seconds.
Custom anodize colors available upon request for quantity orders. Please contact us prior to placing your order.
HUBDOCK Coming Soon
The Hubdock™ is a revolutionary product which enables quick, painless removal of the rear bicycle wheel.The patented Hubdock™ allows a rider to remove the rear wheel free of the derailer and chain. Without having to readjust the wheel or get your hands greasy in the chain, removing the rear wheel is easy. Great for storage and transportation!
PULL-IT Coming Soon
The Pull-It is a spring loaded quick-release skewer that makes removing the front wheel faster and easier. Just open the lever, pull-it, and lift out the wheel. The Pull-It is safer and locks in your front wheel more securely than a convention quick-release.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/486778887/hubdock-quick-release-rear-wheel
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