so im right in thinking its a way of having 2 gears on the front?

in that case....WHY?!

how many of you ride with 2 gears up front? close to none

my appologies if im wrong

You are correct, it gives 2 gears up front - you keep your 9speed block out back.

As to how many people run like that? A lot. Its a very popular set up to run (22/36 etc), thats why Hone/SLX/Saint cranks have been available as a "double and bash" for a while now (2, 3 years?). Its also common to run such a setup with a E13 DRS.  Its not common in DH, but its popular in the trendy all mountain game (I see singletrack roughty toughies loving this).

i reckon alot of downhillers could see this as an addition, it has a built in chainguide so the chains not going anywhere, and ift he ratio is say 28/36, 36T is widely used in dh, and it means everyone who has to pedal to their lives would be alot easier!

for anyone whos more interested,

direct link to hammerschmidt website:

http://www.magicmechanics.com/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=Campaign+Monitor&utm_content=268892342&utm_campaign=Hammerschmidt+Launch#

you win

haha, sorry mate, i had to do it. ive been on the mailing list that truvativ had for info about the hammerschmidt. when i saw i had the email that it had been released, i had to post the link.

And you need "compatible" ISCG tabs. So not all tabs will work, and you cant use BB mounted tab adapters... I'll order the DRS then

I think for that sort of range in something of that size you're looking at something quite weak. Not quite the innovation I was expecting from SRAM though.