âNot everyone needs maximum performance. But everyone needs maximum reliability.â This is how 3X3 describes the requirements for its latest gear hub. In the second sentence, the word âneedsâ could, for example, be replaced by âwantsâ, but yes, that is essentially the point. Whatever we use in daily life, we want that item to work when we need it. And next time, too, please. It is precisely these wishes that the new Six hub gear from the 3X3 brand by manufacturer H+B Hightech is designed to fulfil.
1. Hidden champion from the Ostalb
2. How does the 3X3 Six differ from the 3X3 Nine?
3. What do the 3X3 Six and 3X3 Nine have in common?
4. Which ebikes is this gear hub suitable for?
5. Who are the potential competitors of the 3X3 Six?
1. Hidden champion from the Ostalb
3X3 has now been on the market with its Nine gear hub for a good four years. Based in Adelmannsfelden, situated in the heart of the Swabian Alb, it has, thanks to a wealth of expertise from the mechanical engineering and automotive sectors, managed to chip away at the market share of the established players Shimano, Rohloff and Enviolo. And thatâs not all. From the manufacturerâs perspective, the time seems to have come to make a second mark. In this case, three times three no longer equals nine â but six.
2. How does the 3X3 Six differ from the 3X3 Nine?
The maths may be different now, but the theory behind it remains the same. According to the manufacturer, the Nine certainly served as a blueprint for the Six. The latter, however, has a significantly different set of requirements. It doesnât have to meet the highest standards. Its intended use is much more narrowly defined: city riding.
One could even be more specific and talk about riding in a city where you donât encounter any steep climbs. And where youâre riding an urban ebike that isnât equipped with the most powerful motor. It is much more about a quiet, relaxed and therefore pleasant riding experience. To achieve this, the 3X3 Six features, for example, a silent freewheel. Across its six gears, it offers a gear ratio range of 292 per cent. Its maximum input torque is 160 Newton-metres. Compared to the 3X3 Nine, this is a noticeable difference. The corresponding figures for the Nine are: nine gears, 554 per cent and 250 Newton-metres.
3. What do the 3X3 Six and 3X3 Nine have in common?
At the same time, 3X3 was clearly not simply aiming to release a version of the Nine that had been stripped down as far as possible. Instead, key quality features are now intended to link the two inseparably. Thus, the step sizes â that is, the differences between the six gear ratios in total â remain at around 24 per cent each. In the manufacturer’s view, this figure seems to have worked quite well.
The big selling point of this gear hub is, of course, the promise that it will function for a lifetime without a single service and with just a single initial lubrication from the factory. No gear readjustment. No strange noises after 2,000 kilometres of riding. Provided, of course, that the housing and seals remain intact throughout. The weight also remains unchanged at around two kilograms. This suggests comparable robustness.
Versatile and compatible with current ebike frames
As usual, the new 3X3 Six can once again be shifted manually using a twist-grip shifter or electronically. The electronic version supports functions such as eShift and Auto-Downshift. Ebike manufacturers therefore have the choice between a cheaper and a more expensive variant when it comes to specifications. They can be combined with both a belt and a chain. This could be another small factor influencing pricing. Regardless of the type of shifting, you can change gears on this hub whilst stationary. We wouldnât have expected anything else from a solution designed for urban riding.
An important point from the perspective of ebike manufacturers also aligns with the sister model, the Nine. This refers to the comprehensive compatibility with currently standard mounting dimensions on bicycle frames. The new hub is suitable for the 135-millimetre-wide quick-release solution, a 142-millimetre-wide thru-axle with a diameter of 12 millimetres, and the next size up: a 148-millimetre-wide thru-axle with a 12-millimetre diameter.
4. Which ebikes is this gear hub suitable for?
âThe Six wasnât developed to be less than the Nine. It was developed to consistently get to the heart of urban mobility,â explains Daniel Rupp, Head of Design at 3X3. This clearly sets out its focus. From a technical standpoint, the quiet mechanics, low maintenance requirements, deliberately limited gear ratio and the option for electronic shifting clearly point to use on ebikes for an urban setting, such as classic city ebikes or other types of ebikes that are the preferred choice for commuting. At the same time, 3X3 must, of course, attract ebike manufacturers to integrate the system with a competitive price. Unfortunately, we are unable to comment on how the 3X3 Six fares in this regard.
5. Who are the potential competitors of the 3X3 Six?
With the Six concept, 3X3 is deliberately steering clear of competitors such as Rohloff. At most, the 3X3 Nine and the Rohloff Speedhub E-14 are vying for market share. However, this is happening in a different segment.
In the lower price brackets, however, Enviolo and Shimano remain two well-known and serious competitors. A major advantage of the hubs from the Italian manufacturer Enviolo is their stepless gear system. This allows the full range of gear ratios to be utilised without the limitations of fixed gears and the associated step sizes. The disadvantage of gear systems such as the Enviolo Urban and Enviolo City compared to the 3X3 solution is their significantly lower input torque. This stands at just 60 Newton-metres and 75 Newton-metres. Given the ever-increasing power of mid-drive motors, this is proving to be an increasingly limiting factor. In terms of gear ratio range, the Enviolo Urban and Enviolo City are slightly below and above the Six respectively. In contrast, they both weigh slightly more.
In comparison with Shimano, we believe 3X3 also has a strong case. The most likely contenders from Shimano here are the Nexus Inter-5E and the Shimano Alfine Inter-8. Both have been around for a few years now. This becomes apparent when we look again at the input torque of the ebike motors. At 60 Newton-metres and 50 Newton-metres, they prove to be even less robust. It is of little help, then, that they are noticeably lighter at around 1.7 kilograms. In terms of the number of gears and the gear ratio range, Shimano and 3X3 are not far apart. The same applies to the respective step sizes.
Technical specifications for the 3X3 Six gear hub
- Number of gears: 6
- Gear ratio: 292 %
- Step sizes: approx. 24 %
- Gearshift control: manual via twist grip, electronic
- Maximum input torque: 160 Nm
- Weight: 2 kg
- Compatibility: 135 mm quick-release, 142 mm thru-axle 12 mm, 148 mm thru-axle 12 mm
- Drivetrain: belt, chain
Pictures: H+B Hightech GmbH