Commuting - which internal Gear hub?

I'm looking into building up a bike with an internal gear hub and wanted some feedback. I'm looking for a hub that can take a beating. If I had loads of money burning a hole in my pocket, I'd get a Rolhoff, but thats not in the budget.

Background on the bike: Its going to be a intown, college commuter. I'm specifically going to build/weld the frame to the hub (internal routing, track drops, sliding disc dropouts if going with a disc version). 26" wheels with pretty standard 26" mountain bike geometry w/ridged fork.

So Sram (i-Motion 9, or S7), Shimano (Alfine, Nexus 8, Nexus 7), Sturmey-Archer (S80)

In town, college, commuter.

Have you considered one of these?

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/coaster-brakes.html

So unstylish it's zub-sero cool.

The Shimano Nexus series has a pretty decent track record. The Sturmey is less expensive initially but I am not sure about the durability on them. There were some issues when the production first started up.

SRAM is an unknown to me...I have heard of it but have no firsthand experience with it.

Aaron:)

You want sliding dropouts or horizontal dropouts, disk or no disk (although you can take up chain slack with a tensioner like the Surly Singulator or On-One Doofer).

If you can get your hands on an Alfine go that route, they're new to the US and I'd love to see a review; the Europeans seem to like the a lot.

Background on the bike: Its going to be a intown, college commuter. I'm specifically going to build/weld the frame to the hub (S80)

Not a good idea. Bolts work just as well. You can't get the perfect amount of chain tension if you can't move your hub. You won't be able to change tires and you won't be able to fix a flat easily. You will never be able to use the hub or the frame again if you weld.


As for hubs, I have a ShimNex Inter-7 w/coaster brake. I like it, but it's a bit heavy. I find the coaster brake paticularly useful, but it takes some getting used to. I believe the Inter-8 is almost identical to my hub, except that it has one more gear instead of the coaster.

I have put together a bike with a Modern StAr 3-speed. The paticular model had a very limited range of gears (75%, 100% and 133%). I would not recommend such a limited range for a relatively strong cyclist. (I myself could barely feel the differnce between the highest and lowest gears).

thats all I know.

^^^^
I didn't catch that. Yeah, welding you wheel to the frame is a poor idea at best. If you are worried about wheel theft use pitlocks and a good u-lock. Also park next to carbon racers with quick release wheels and cable locks too.

Before you pick your hub, I suggest looking at the following things on the one(s) you are considering:

1. Gear ratios (use Sheldon Brown's gear calculator!) The way the different brands and models are geared will make a difference, depending on your wheel size. The Sturmey-Archer is ideal for bikes with small wheels (I have them on two bikes with 16" wheels).

2. How the shift cable attaches to the hub, and how you adjust it. I used to ride a nexus-inter-4, and it was a real pain to adjust the cable, in contrast, say, to either the Sturmey-Archer 3 or 8 (though the SA 3 is easier to adjust than the SA 8).

3. How the shift cable attaches to the hub, and how durable it will be. On the Nexus and SA-8 the cable attaches on the inside of the frame, while on the SA-3 (and all the SRAM's, I think) it attaches to the end of the axle, i.e. on the outside of the frame. This is potentially more easily damaged (but the old SA-3's are really tough anyway).

Not a good idea. Bolts work just as well. You can't get the perfect amount of chain tension if you can't move your hub. You won't be able to change tires and you won't be able to fix a flat easily. You will never be able to use the hub or the frame again if you weld.


As for hubs, I have a ShimNex Inter-7 w/coaster brake. I like it, but it's a bit heavy. I find the coaster brake paticularly useful, but it takes some getting used to. I believe the Inter-8 is almost identical to my hub, except that it has one more gear instead of the coaster.

I have put together a bike with a Modern StAr 3-speed. The paticular model had a very limited range of gears (75%, 100% and 133%). I would not recommend such a limited range for a relatively strong cyclist. (I myself could barely feel the differnce between the highest and lowest gears).

thats all I know.

no, no, I'm not welding the hub to the frame. I'm building the frame to the specs of the hub.

^^^^
I didn't catch that. Yeah, welding you wheel to the frame is a poor idea at best. If you are worried about wheel theft use pitlocks and a good u-lock. Also park next to carbon racers with quick release wheels and cable locks too.


Allen,
That may be a positive of internal hub vs. exposed gear bike. Thieves will always favor QR hubs over bikes with bolt nuts. I've never seen this as an advantage in a interal hubbed bike.

Allen,
That may be a positive of internal hub vs. exposed gear bike. Thieves will always favor QR hubs over bikes with bolt nuts. I've never seen this as an advantage in a interal hubbed bike.

I only want an internal gear to make it look clean and to try something new. Theft isnt a problem in my area so qr vs bolt on isnt an issue.

I'm looking into building up a bike with an internal gear hub and wanted some feedback. I'm looking for a hub that can take a beating. If I had loads of money burning a hole in my pocket, I'd get a Rolhoff, but thats not in the budget.

Background on the bike: Its going to be a intown, college commuter. I'm specifically going to build/weld the frame to the hub (internal routing, track drops, sliding disc dropouts if going with a disc version). 26" wheels with pretty standard 26" mountain bike geometry w/ridged fork.

So Sram (i-Motion 9, or S7), Shimano (Alfine, Nexus 8, Nexus 7), Sturmey-Archer (S80)

Shimano Nexus 7 or 8. I have the Shimano Nexus 7 speed hub installed on my Raleigh Superbe and its durable. Its no worse than the original Sturmey Archer 3 speed hub that it replaced.

be sure to look at the NuVinci


nuvinci.com

be sure to look at the NuVinci


nuvinci.com

I have that one installed on my Peugeot PX10. I still can't say how good it is as a hub. It was heavy but then again I like being an early adopter of new technology ;):D

The nuvinci weighs 4,200g (according to QBP) and costs more than twice as much as a nexus 8 hub (at my cost)

On a bike like this, weight isn't too much of a concern but since I'm a roadie, i really don't like the idea of doubling the weight of my bike with just the rear hub. I'm building this cause i dont want to be riding my Record bike to class. Also the cost and unproven longterm durability

I have that one installed on my Peugeot PX10. I still can't say how good it is as a hub. It was heavy but then again I like being an early adopter of new technology ;):D

Real Early Adapter! How available is this item besides in press releases?

I would go with the Nexus 8 "Red Band" version. It is lighter and has better bearings than the standard Nexus 8 by most accounts. Are you in Athens, Ohio?

Real Early Adapter! How available is this item besides in press releases?

NuVinci hubs have been on the market for a while, looks like the first batch is almost gone through at my distributor.

Real Early Adapter! How available is this item besides in press releases?

Seattle Bicycle Supply carries them, so most any LBS can get one in now. I have one on my cargo bike.
Nice item, and impressively smooth, nicest shifter of any hub I've ridden, great riding hub in general.
They also have a quiet clutch, no click, clack when coasting.

Is there a difference in quality between the Nexus 7 and 8 besides the extra speed? I've heard anecdotally that the 8 is "smoother" but I can't really find anything definitive on that.

The nuvinci weighs 4,200g (according to QBP) and costs more than twice as much as a nexus 8 hub (at my cost)

On a bike like this, weight isn't too much of a concern but since I'm a roadie, i really don't like the idea of doubling the weight of my bike with just the rear hub. I'm building this cause i dont want to be riding my Record bike to class. Also the cost and unproven longterm durability

There is a strong advocate of the NuVinci hub in the folding bikes forum. My instinct would be to stick with the Nexus 8 Redband. Given the gear range, it is lighter and smoother by most reports than the alternatives. Sheldon Brown seems to be a strong advocate of the hub.

The Sturmey Archer 8 is not a bad hub, by the way. I have worked out a few bugs and it operates well on my folding bike. But given that the direct drive is the lowest gear, it is inappropriate for most full sized bikes.

I would go with the Nexus 8 "Red Band" version. It is lighter and has better bearings than the standard Nexus 8 by most accounts. Are you in Athens, Ohio?


yup, atown.

yup, atown.

Home sweet home. Riding up Jeff Hill was always a kid's hill climbing challenge.

Good luck on the build.

yeah thanks. I used to ride fixed gear (50x19) but going to sell that to build up my cross bike. Also since I've started building frames, i'm going to build this new bike. I thought about single speed, but with time split between working at the bike shop, class (maybe), my framebuilding, and training, i figured i want something with gears. I want it to look clean like a SS so internal gear popped in my mind.

NuVinci hubs have been on the market for a while, looks like the first batch is almost gone through at my distributor.

I tried it on my commuter... the hub is heavy as hell but you don't notice it on the bicycle. I must say after a ride, the Nuvinci grip shift twister is completely intuitive. Even a child can learn to operate this system. Its really simple to use and instead of having two shifters, there's just one! I like it so much I can't wait for a disc compatible MTB model to become available! ;):)

The Sturmey Archer 8 is not a bad hub, by the way. I have worked out a few bugs and it operates well on my folding bike. But given that the direct drive is the lowest gear, it is inappropriate for most full sized bikes.

Why? Just because you have to use a small chainwheel? This causes your group to get more cavities or what? :)

TCS

I would go with the Nexus 8 "Red Band" version. It is lighter and has better bearings than the standard Nexus 8 by most accounts.

According to Shimano's press releases, the Alfine is lighter and has better bearings than the Red Band. But they both use a less efficient compound epicyclic gear train vs. the staged epicyclics used in the SRAM S7. The ratio steps are very uneven in the Shimano 8s as well.

TCS

Is there a difference in quality between the Nexus 7 and 8 besides the extra speed? I've heard anecdotally that the 8 is "smoother" but I can't really find anything definitive on that.

The 8 on my Milano has less drag than the 7 I put on my 1x1. You notice it when coasting.

Real Early Adapter! How available is this item besides in press releases?

You can get it off eBay from Staton Inc for $350.00. It comes in either a 32H black or 36H silver version. The NuVinci hub comes complete with a single shifter. I can report after a ride with on my Peugeot, this new CVP technology really works! Shifting is crisp and intuitive. Hopefully, they will come out with a lighter hub for road and mountain bikes.

The 8 on my Milano has less drag than the 7 I put on my 1x1. You notice it when coasting.

That's good to know.

Is there a difference in quality between the Nexus 7 and 8 besides the extra speed? I've heard anecdotally that the 8 is "smoother" but I can't really find anything definitive on that.
When I bought my Breezer with the Nexus 8, I also tried the Breezer with the Nexus 7. My perception was that it shifted smoother. It was certainly quieter.

no, no, I'm not welding the hub to the frame. I'm building the frame to the specs of the hub.

Phew! I was just about to chime in with one of those, "You're crazy!!!" posts :) That's awesome that you're building your own frame.

I know nothing about model internal gear hubs, though I have tried the good ol' Sturmey Archer 3-speed, and it's quite nice. I'll be following this thread with interest though, as I'm interested in custom-built internally geared bikes too.

You can get it off eBay from Staton Inc for $350.00. It comes in either a 32H black or 36H silver version. The NuVinci hub comes complete with a single shifter. I can report after a ride with on my Peugeot, this new CVP technology really works! Shifting is crisp and intuitive. Hopefully, they will come out with a lighter hub for road and mountain bikes.

http://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30&action=list&searchtype=search&keywords=nuvinci&Brand=