Vello 3X3 Nine Edition: The 3X3 gear hub makes the Vello folding bike even more practical

Even though the Vello folding bike is wonderful in its own right - we have already tested various models (links can be found below) - the focus here is primarily on the 3X3 gear hub, which is installed in the tested Vello 3X3 Nine Edition model. Since this summer, the Austrians from Vello have also been offering the gear hub from Swabia in their bikes.

We were looking for a hub that is not only reliable and robust, but also increases the efficiency and user-friendliness of our e-bikes. The professional collaboration with 3X3 and their solution-orientated approach enabled us to integrate the hub into our product portfolio in record time. - Vello Managing Director Valerie Wolff

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3X3 hub gears in a folding bike?!

For me, a folding bike with a hub gear in combination with a belt drive is the best option for a bike that is mostly used in the city and is therefore often transported by train or car. Why? The drive is compact in the rear wheel, there is no rear derailleur to get stuck with. And there's no chain to mess up your clothes with its lubricants. And accordingly, there are no defects that can occur when the bike is folded up due to the derailleur colliding with other bikes or escalators.

The belt is virtually dirt-free, a gear hub is almost indestructible. These are the advantages. On the other hand, a gear hub always weighs more than a derailleur hub, but the 3X3 hub weighs about 2 kilos according to the manufacturer - rear derailleur, cassette, freewheel and chain usually weigh a little more than half that, depending on the manufacturer and quality.

On the other hand, the hub gear concept convinces with freedom from maintenance. At least that's what 3X3 promises for its gears. And even in the event of a defect, repairs are easier compared to Shimano because the gearbox can be accessed through a bolted side of the hub, similar to a Rohloff hub. The decision is therefore between low weight and easy handling.

9 gears: How does the 3X3 gear hub shift?

Of course, a hub gear shifts slightly differently than a derailleur gear. Better? Worse? As the name suggests, the 3X3 hub has 9 gears with gear steps of approx. 24 %. The gear ratio of 554 % (high!) and a maximum input torque of 250 Nm also make the gear hub ideal for e-bikes.

Of course, the gradation between the gears is greater than with an 11-speed drivetrain. But with the range mentioned, the lowest gear is really very suitable for uphill riding; a 10% gradient is easy to pedal on the Vello 3X3. The 9th gear really gets the folding bike going, so that people on the cycle path look on in amazement.

The major difference to derailleur gears, however, is that the 3X3 gear system also changes gears when stationary, meaning that you can simply shift down at traffic lights, for example. The gears can also be shifted under load, which currently only the Sram Transmission can do really well.

And there is also a small environmental aspect: without a sprocket set and shift arm, the chain always runs parallel to the frame without skewing. This results in less wear and tear and a chain drive lasts significantly longer. Even with powerful electric motors.

A belt drive is even better because it is even more wear-resistant and does not actually require any lubricants. This saves costs and protects the environment. The production of the 3X3 hub gear in Adelmannsfelden, Swabia, also has the advantage that short distances reduce the CO2 footprint.

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How to ride the 3X3 hub gear in the Vello folding bike

The 3X3 hub gear works with a twist grip instead of gear levers. The shifting logic - turn forwards and it gets harder/faster - is quickly understood. The handle itself requires some force and a relatively long travel from gear to gear, but the gears engage noticeably in the handle. In the gear hub, on the other hand, everything runs smoothly. The result is a very precise shifting feel.

Changing from gear 8 to gear 3 while standing still? No problem! Reverse on the crest from gear 2 to gear 6? Tack-tack-tack-tack - and on you go. Even shifting under full load is possible. However, I had to force myself to do this out of the habit of "normal" derailleur gears, because I can rarely deny myself a slight release of the pedals before shifting.

Without knowing more about the manual gearbox - but the fact that the hub is called 3X3 seems to have to do with 3 areas inside. Gears 3, 6 and 9 are noticeably louder than 1, 4 and 7, i.e. the lower gears of the 3-pack. The gear noise is clearly audible, especially in first gear on hills at low speed.

If even the wind noise in the ear is missing when travelling slowly, it sounds a little as if the Vello folding bike has motor assistance. This is not annoying, but it is noticeable. As already described, the 9 gear ratios are wide-ranging, but absolutely suitable for the city and any road.

And how does the Vello 3X3 feel on the road?

The weight of the 3X3 hub gear in the rear wheel would make the bike very rear-heavy on an MTB, for example. However, since a folding bike like the Vello is much shorter and the centre of gravity is much lower, this doesn't matter, or perhaps even makes for a better position on the road. Unfortunately, we were unable to make a direct comparison with a Vello without a 3X3 hub. We measured the folding bike at 15.4 kilos (well above the manufacturer's weight of 12.9 kg without pedals) and it doesn't feel lively, but you can get going quickly at the traffic lights and pull away. Once you get going, it's easy to pick up speed.

But then it comes down to personal preference: With a 73° head angle, the bike is nominally already on the unsteady side. With the small 20-inch tyres and the long connection between the stem and steering head, the bike is - positively speaking - agile, which is practical in the city when you have to manoeuvre between barriers, rubbish bins or people. If you are not quite so confident on the bike or want to twist the handlebars at high speed, you should bear this in mind.

The folding mechanism of the Vello folding bike

Every folding bike has its own folding mechanism and its own logic behind it. With the Vello - with or without 3X3 hub gears - the mechanism is quite simple and you can master it after two or three passes. The only thing before The fact that you have to pay attention to the pedal position when folding is a small snag if you need to move quickly on the platform.

The folding bike can be carried on the top tube from both sides. However, you will notice the 15 kilos when the escalators go on strike at the station. On the other hand, the Vello can be pushed with a little practice and a strong hand on the saddle. You can't race with it, but at least you can manage long platforms.

The front wheel attaches to the frame with an extra hook. We had to be careful here on our test bike: The safety quick release repeatedly touched the cables and the frame roughly when folding up, leaving marks on both that would probably get worse with prolonged use.

Conclusion on the Vello 3x3 Nine Edition folding bike with 3x3 gear hub

Thanks to the 3x3 gear hub, the Vello 3X3 Nine Edition is a pretty ingenious folding bike. Robust, but also low-maintenance thanks to the hub gears with belt drive, it can easily cope with daily journeys to the office and is a lot of fun. For sporty and long rides, however, I prefer other bikes. It's a top commuter and city bike! - Marc Strucken, Editor Cycling

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Vello 3X3 Nine Edition: technical data & features

• Colour: Anthracite
• Frame: Multisize, unisex, chromoly steel fork and rear triangle; shock absorber with elastomer magnet folding
• Top tube length: 580 mm
• Seat angle: 73 degrees
• Steering angle: 73 degrees
• Bottom bracket drop: -40 mm
• Crank arm length: 170 mm
• Saddle: Selle Royal, Matrix foam
• Seatpost: Satori aluminium 30.9 mm x 500 mm
• Stem: Adjustable in height (VELLO BIKE Design)
• Rear derailleur: 3X3 NINE; 9 gears
• Shift lever: 3X3 SHIFT R9
• Drive: Belt, Gates Carbon Drive 115T, rear sprocket 32T, front sprocket 55T
• Brake system: Shimano, hydraulic disc brakes
• Tyres: 20'' Schwalbe Kojak
• Deployment: (gear ratio x tyre circumference) 1.38-7.66 m
• Pedals: All-aluminium folding pedals
• Bike weight: 12.9 kg (approx., without pedals, +/- 5%) > 15.4 kg (self-measured)
• Weight 3X3 hub: 2 kg
• Folding size: H: 57 cm x L: 79 cm x W: 29 cm
• Unfolded length: 155 cm
• Maximum permissible total weight: 125 kg
• Price: 3190 Euro (RRP)

Who is behind 3X3?

We wanted to develop a hub that is so easy to use that it focusses on the essentials of cycling: The freedom and autonomy to go wherever you want at any time - Hilmar Wanner, Managing Director of 3X3

3X3 is a brand of H+B Hightech GmbH, a specialised manufacturing company with a focus on engineering, automation and machining. Thanks to its experience in automated production, 3X3 is able to combine technical standards and reliable deliveries. The manufacturer is therefore independent of production abroad and can adjust the quantities at short notice. Bike brands such as Vello, Yoonit and Nicolai are the first customers to install the gear hub.

The parent company of H+B Hightech GmbH is the Heine + Beisswenger Group, a family-run steel and metal wholesaler since 1901, with 600 employees and 4 subsidiaries.