FAQ: Will I have enough gears?
Yuba made a very calculated decision to offer a simple, reliable, flexible and affordable transmission on the Mundo. After considerable research, Yuba understood that the vast majority of utility cyclists use a very limited set of gears within a specific range. Yuba set out to provide a reliable, smooth-shifting and affordable transmission that fit within that range. The Mundo’s six-speed transmission employs a heavy duty Shimano derailleur with SRAM twist-grip shifter, a 14-28 freewheel sprocket set in the rear and 38T chainring up front. This essentially provides a 36 - 72 inch gear ratio, offering a wide-range of gearing to meet more than 90 percent of the Mundo’s target activities -even in hilly Portland!
This being said, Yuba has provided the flexibility for Mundo owners to customize their ride with gearing changes to best meet their personal preferences. You could add a wider-range freewheel (Shimano Megarange or IRD Defiant versions) if you feel the need for additional range, or possibly remove the chain guard and add a front clamp-on derailleur and double/triple crank (may require additional customizations). Some owners have expressed interest in adding a Rotor crank to eliminate flat spots in the torque curve -great for heavy loads- as well as adding an internally geared rear hub. You might also consider adding a Schlumpf bottom-bracket gearbox to double your gear range without adding a new freewheel or shifter. As you can see, Yuba provided a reliable, smooth-shifting, low-maintenance, light-weight transmission out-of-the-box. This being said, the Mundo is highly extensible to suit your personal tastes in both performance and functionality.
Tags: bottom-bracket, crank, gears, hub, internal-gear, Nexus, Rotor, Schlumpf, Shimano, SRAM, transmission, twist