It's main characteristics
are:
- Strong aluminium frame (fig. 1). Bike plus carrier, mud guards,
lock etc. weights only 15.2 kg. An additional chain guard offers
full protection to chain, chain ring and sprocket. For more details
and other idworx models, go to www.idworx-bikes.de.
- Rohloff 14 gear speed hub (fig. 2) instead of a 27-speed
derailleur gear system (see below for details, or go to the Rohloff website).
- Magura hydraulic braking system (integrated HS 33 FIRM tech
model; fig.3). See Magura website for details.
- SON hub dynamo (fig. 4); low drag, high output and extremely
reliable. See SON
website for details.
- Tubus Logo rear carrier (fig. 5); top of the range, light
weight and heavy duty. See Tubus
website for details.
- Schwalbe Marathon Supreme balloon-type tires [50-622 / 28x2.00]
(fig. 6); air-suspention without the need of a fork with one
or another, often vulnerable, type of shock absorber system.
See Schwalbe
website for details.
As expected, the Rohloff speed hub proved to be an easy to
handle and very reliable gearing system. In contrast to derailleur
systems there is no overlap between gears and the 14 ratios are
evenly spaced. Internal gear ratios range from 0.279 to 1.467.
With a 42 tooth chain ring, 16 tooth sprocket and 50-622 balloon
tires, this corresponds to a distance travelled per crank revolution
of 164 to 862 cm (526% difference !). Changing gear is possible
under all conditions, including without pedalling and driving
steep uphill. This proved to be a very convenient feature.
Is there anything that can be improved? Well, hardly, but a point
of concern could be the shifter of the Rohloff speed hub. To change
gear you have to rotate the twist grip clockwise or anti-clockwise.
That's fine, but what is missing is a clear click that marks the
next position. This may result in a jump over two positions, instead
of one, which happens most frequently when shifting from position
8 to 7. You may end up in the 6th gear. The reason why the step
from 8 to 7 is the most critical is obvious, since for positions
7-1 an additional set of reduction gears has to be activated,
which asks for a bit more force. However, it is important to note that
a jump from 8 to 6 only has to do with the shifter. The internal
gears of the speed hub never jump or slip. To those who are interested
in a critical technical report of the Rohloff 14 speed hub I recommend
reading the web page "Living with the Rohloff Speedhub".
Also the other components worked flawless; Magura FIRM tech hydraulic
brakes (subtle handling, but brute force when needed), SON hub
dynamo (you do not feel the difference between lights off or on),
Tubus carrier (extremely stable) and Schwalbe balloon tires (safe
and comfortable regardless road conditions) are top of the range.
The geometry of the frame is perfect and allows under all circumstances
a very comfortable and safe ride. Equally important is the superb
stiffness of the aluminium frame. Although I am not a daredevil,
downhill speeds of well over 60 km/hour, with lugguage, are no
problem. You still have the reassuring feeling of full control
(supported by the Magura brakes). The only part that I have replaced
is the saddle. The standard Selle Royale Vitesse saddle is not
bad, but to my opinion a bit too soft (I am used to a racing bike
saddle). For me a Brooks Flyer saddle is a better choice.
The Bodensee - Königssee - Bodensee tour has convincingly
proved that an idworx Easy Rohler is a superb trekking bike. The
name "it works" is an understatement.
Oof Oud, July 2007
Note added in 2009:
because of my somewhat deformed shoulder, due to a racing
bike accident, I have replaced the quite straight handlebars
by idworx Comfort type bars.
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