In a message dated 10/8/2004 5:08:01 AM Central Daylight Time, jmages@xxxxxx writes: The Schlumpf Drive shows that a geared BB is possible, but it only has two gears. As a resumee I would say that the "direct drive" is too complicated to be of practical value!. It would take a bit of work, but why couldn't a multi speed hub be driven by a pair of cranks instead of a sprocket? I THINK that such an arrangement has been done with a 3 speed and a kid's trike, but not totally sure! The onlyother way is vary wheel size! My lean steer Trike which is similar to a python in concept has a 7 speed cogset and a 3 speed hub. though I am going back to a straignt 7 speed t teh first opportunity. Not that the 3 x 7 doesn't work mind, it is going on soemthing else, but I keep kicking the damned actuator with my right heel and ankle! afraid that I will break the hub, gouge my ankle or mess up my tendons in my right leg from riding heel out all the time. mark East Central Iowa "It was on the 10th day of May -- 1884 -- that I confessed to age by mounting spectacles for the first time, and in the same hour I renewed my youth, to outward appearance, by mounting a bicycle for the first time. The spectacles stayed on." -- Mark Twain