[BenyBen]

So, I know winter's pretty much over, but I'm allready thinking about what I can do better next winter. I know this post might belong in the mechanics forum, but I know some (or at least one person :)) here used this for winter and I'd like their input specificaly.

Now I got my eyes on this thing.
http://tinyurl.com/syede

But I got a couple questions for people who used them already.

-Can a rear gear hub be used with a front derailleur (3 * 8 = 24)?
-If not, do you find you have enough gears with only 8? (is the 1st speed low enough for the deep wet snow?, Is the 8th speed high enough for riding with a strong tail wind?)
-Did you ever need maintenance on it? I like to do all my winter maintenance myself, I wouldn't like to create one of those situations where I buy a complex part I can't deal with. I imagine the enclosed gears make them maintenance free for years to come?
-Does cold temperature affect it?

Installation:
-It looks like this would change the spoke length needed, correct?
-compared to installing a "standard" derailleur (which I've done), did you find it more complicated to install.

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[PaulH]

-Can a rear gear hub be used with a front derailleur (3 * 8 = 24)?
-If not, do you find you have enough gears with only 8? (is the 1st speed low enough for the deep wet snow?, Is the 8th speed high enough for riding with a strong tail wind?)
-Did you ever need maintenance on it? I like to do all my winter maintenance myself, I wouldn't like to create one of those situations where I buy a complex part I can't deal with. I imagine the enclosed gears make them maintenance free for years to come?
-Does cold temperature affect it?

Installation:
-It looks like this would change the spoke length needed, correct?
-compared to installing a "standard" derailleur (which I've done), did you find it more complicated to install.
-Yes. This is called a Dual Drive
-I find seven speeds work fine, even up hills towing a child. Really deep, wet snow stops anything
- With a tailwind, either take it easy or spin.
-Once a year, my LBS regreases the thing
-Nothing is maintenance-free. However the internal gears require work only once every 4,000 km or so, and that work involves only lubrication.
-No. However, the shifter cables can freeze as with any geared bike. Change yearly and you will be fine.
-Yes
-I have the LBS do everything. In any case my bike came with the Nexus installed.

Paul

Paul

[BenyBen]

Thanks paul

[mjens]

I have a Shimano Nexus 7 speed internal hub bike and it was shifting fine at in the 30 degree (f) range. Rode in 10 above and the shifting was extremely slow (sometimes minutes). The shifter moves with lots of resistance going to taller gear. Is it the cable or the hub? Everyone seem to say that its got to be the cable, but I'm interested other field reports of how low the temp can go and the nexus still functions. I keep imagining the grease becoming very thick inside it and refusing to shift.

[PaulH]

It's the cable. You can put WD-40 in there to get rid of the water, but I recommend changing all cables and housings every year or two. Zero is as cold as it ever gets here, and the Nexus works fine.

Paul

[legot73]

I had the same problem last night. I thought it had to do with changing the tires, which is quite an ordeal, and re-adjusting everything.

WD-40 on the way.