I was riding around Vashon Island with a friend, and when we stopped at the grocery store in town to get chocolate milk (yum...) a guy came riding up on a Bakfiets with a kid in the bucket. Was really neat to see one in person, and I can see how they would be really practical. I didn't get a really close look at the gearing, but I'd have to imagine it would take a pretty wide range for someone to ride around Vashon. Could something like that be specced with a Rohloff? Just thinking ahead a few years for when there are kids needing to be hauled around.

I was riding around Vashon Island with a friend, and when we stopped at the grocery store in town to get chocolate milk (yum...) a guy came riding up on a Bakfiets with a kid in the bucket. Was really neat to see one in person, and I can see how they would be really practical. I didn't get a really close look at the gearing, but I'd have to imagine it would take a pretty wide range for someone to ride around Vashon. Could something like that be specced with a Rohloff? Just thinking ahead a few years for when there are kids needing to be hauled around.

These folks can probably answer your question. (http://www.dutchbikeseattle.com/)

I know they normally have a 7? 8? speed internal hub. I have huge doubts that that would work for me, I have to use a MTB triple with an oversize inner ring already without cargo. I'd be tempted to try to put a wide triple on the front.

I was riding around Vashon Island with a friend, and when we stopped at the grocery store in town to get chocolate milk (yum...) a guy came riding up on a Bakfiets with a kid in the bucket. Was really neat to see one in person, and I can see how they would be really practical. I didn't get a really close look at the gearing, but I'd have to imagine it would take a pretty wide range for someone to ride around Vashon. Could something like that be specced with a Rohloff? Just thinking ahead a few years for when there are kids needing to be hauled around.

IIRC most Bakfiets bound for the US typically come with an 8 speed IGH. You can put a Rohloff on anything you want...if you have the money. A Rohloff is going to add about 50% to the price of a Bakfiets, but it could be worth it in the long run. I have yet to ride a Bakfiets (much less see one in the wild) but it is on my list of bikes that I would like to own.

Aaron:)

IIRC most Bakfiets bound for the US typically come with an 8 speed IGH. You can put a Rohloff on anything you want...if you have the money. A Rohloff is going to add about 50% to the price of a Bakfiets, but it could be worth it in the long run. I have yet to ride a Bakfiets (much less see one in the wild) but it is on my list of bikes that I would like to own.

Aaron:)

You could put a Schlumpf on the front. I've never used one, but I'm told that it is the hub-gear-world's equivalent of a front chainring.

Like Aaron, I've never ridden, or even seen in the flesh, a BF, but a part of me covets one.

You could put a Schlumpf on the front. I've never used one, but I'm told that it is the hub-gear-world's equivalent of a front chainring.

Like Aaron, I've never ridden, or even seen in the flesh, a BF, but a part of me covets one.

Forgot about the Schlumpf MtDrive...use that with a Rolhoff and you would probably out range most MTB's:lol: Good news is; the Schlumph costs about 1/3 of what the Rolhoff does:thumb:

Aaron:)

Forgot about the Schlumpf MtDrive...use that with a Rolhoff and you would probably out range most MTB's:lol:

I'm thinking about that combination for my Big Dummy.

I didn't have my camera, but I saw a bakfiet fitted with an old dead chest type freezer a few months ago. I think the guy is a handyman and uses the freezer for his toolbox. I haven't seen him since then, but next time, I'll try to get a picture.

When considering the Schlumpf, keep in mind there are two versions. The Mtn. Drive is and underdrive, and the Speed Drive is an overdrive. Internal geared hubs have maximum gear reduction specs to avoid exceeding thier input torque capacity. The Mt. Drive multiplies torque, so it is likely to exceed that. The Speed drive _reduces_ torque, so is probably a better option.

Using a spring loaded tensioner, you could also run a FD and a double or triple crankset with an IGH....though internal gearing fans would rightly consider this heresy.

When considering the Schlumpf, keep in mind there are two versions. The Mtn. Drive is and underdrive, and the Speed Drive is an overdrive. Internal geared hubs have maximum gear reduction specs to avoid exceeding thier input torque capacity. The Mt. Drive multiplies torque, so it is likely to exceed that. The Speed drive _reduces_ torque, so is probably a better option.

Using a spring loaded tensioner, you could also run a FD and a double or triple crankset with an IGH....though internal gearing fans would rightly consider this heresy.

Rol. says specifically to use the Speed Drive, rather than the Mountain Drive.

Do people with a Rolhoff find they need more gears? I haven't used one, but I figured if there was anything that would justify the cost it would be that the Rolhoff would replace the need for any other shifting. Mostly it seems I've read of people using a Schlumpf with an 8-speed hub to get a Rolhoff-like gear range at a lower price. I'm just wondering if anyone really feels a benefit from a Rolhoff hub combined with front shifting abliity. I mean if money were no object, it'd be fun to do, just because. I'm just not clear if it'd actually be useful.

Do people with a Rolhoff find they need more gears? I haven't used one, but I figured if there was anything that would justify the cost it would be that the Rolhoff would replace the need for any other shifting. Mostly it seems I've read of people using a Schlumpf with an 8-speed hub to get a Rolhoff-like gear range at a lower price. I'm just wondering if anyone really feels a benefit from a Rolhoff hub combined with front shifting abliity. I mean if money were no object, it'd be fun to do, just because. I'm just not clear if it'd actually be useful.

With the sort of hills we have here, we need all the help we can get.

With the sort of hills we have here, we need all the help we can get.

Ha. Yes, now that you mention it, I've been in your town, and I see your point.

Ha. Yes, now that you mention it, I've been in your town, and I see your point.

We are called the Mountain State for a reason.