One speed vs Two speed gearboxes

[Lil' Lavery]

Originally Posted by Rauhul Varma

I would beg to differ on all accounts. You can definitely make light and small 2 speed gearboxes. Additionally the amount of air required to shift is extremely small, for example the volume of air required for a single shift on 192's 2014 gearbox was (9/16)^2 * pi * 3/8 = 0.373 in^3 of air, which is nothing as many tanks hold around 35 in^3 of air.

Even if some teams can find ways to minimize the additional costs in space, weight, and air doesn't mean they don't exist. By default, adding the additional gearing and shifting mechanisms will take up more space and weight than not having them. By default, triggering a pneumatic cylinder to shift will consume more air than not triggering that cylinder.

Heck, some teams might not even install a pneumatic system if it weren't for two-speed drivetrains.