[JesseK]

For most teams who don't always have experienced drivers, 2-speeds definitely help in a lot of varying situations. Regardless of what shifting transmission you go with, here are some tips:

1. If you modify a COTS transmission, you better TEST, TEST, and TEST it some more. Even a 0.001" shift can burn 40-50% of your power if it's in the wrong spot. We learned this lesson the hard way.
2. Mount the transmissions and the chain tensioners separately -- i.e. do not mount the tensioners on the gearbox. This created a wierd off-angle tension for us that further decreased efficiency due to friction.
3. If you go with COTS, CAD the mounts, or have slots in order to make minor adjustments similar to the '08 KOP transmission mounts.
4. Shifting transmissions have more moving parts, therefore have a higher probability for maintenance. It is imperative you make a frame layout & design that allows for easy transmission removal. Running down the Atlanta tunnel toting a 150lb robot because you're 90 seconds away from missing your match due to an ill-conceived transmission layout is not as fun as it sounds.

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Now, it looks like the most relevant information about 2-speeds has been posted, so I'll go on a tangent for a minute. Please bear in mind I say this carefully as I know defensive-style robots gain a large benefit from shifting transmissions whereas offensive style robots see sporadic benefits at best.

2-Speeds weren't "key" to success in '08 -- Case Study:
233 reported throughout various threads in '08 that they were single speed and only went 12fps on an open field. They had a very lightweight frame and ultra-light single-speed transmission. 233 made it to Einstein and were key in the only match in Atlanta that the SimChickenWrangler alliance lost. Not only that, but 233 won every '08 regional they attended. Also of note, the RoboWranglers (148, won SLR and Atlanta), if I remember correctly, were also single-speed.

It still is the overall bot & driver's performance coupled with strategy that is "key" to success in competition. In some strategies 2-speeds definitely help but should never be thought of as a deciding factor in an alliance's overall competition performance.