Commuting - Internaly Geared Hub Bliss

I've been commuting on a heavy (50 lbs) old mtb for the past couple of months. And this happens to me all the time: I get to a red light and I forget to down shift until I'm at a standstill. The light turns green but I'm on the 18th gear so I'm standing up on the bike going 1/8th of a mile an hour until the derailleur does it's job.

For the past couple of months I've been doing research and asking questions here about internal hubs (no need to be in motion to shift gears). Yesterday I got my Breezer Villager with an internal hub. It also has an integrated rack, fenders, hub-powered lights. Best of all it weighs about 30lbs. My 106 lb wife can lift it!

I did my first commute this morning. SWEET!!!

I stopped at a light on 6th gear (as always I forget to downshift until I'm stopped). When the light turned green I almost popped a wheelie AND simultaneously almost pulled the handle bar off the bike!!! Its an incredible ride. I can't believe what I've been missing. I'm really excited about my ride home today!

Usually on the mtb I'd be so tired I'd call my wife 50% of the time to come pick me up. Can't see that happening anytime soon on this bike!

I'm glad to see you're happy with the Nexus 7. If my junk 3 speed bike breaks in two, I would buy the Citizen. Short commutes is exactly what these hub gears were designed for in the first place.

I have my fiance up on a Trek Navigator 400. I really hate the bike. The seat kills your butt after 5 miles (for the first couple of miles it's like riding in a cadillac) and pedalling the Nexus 8... except for the 6th gear (which I believe is a direct gear) it feels like I am pedalling in molases...

The Breezer bikes definately look cooler though.

You're making my derailleurs jealous! :D

I have my fiance up on a Trek Navigator 400. I really hate the bike. The seat kills your butt after 5 miles (for the first couple of miles it's like riding in a cadillac) and pedalling the Nexus 8... except for the 6th gear (which I believe is a direct gear) it feels like I am pedalling in molases...

The Breezer bikes definately look cooler though.

Is the new Nexus 8 really that bad? I'm riding a Sram Spectro 7. It just edged out the Nexus 7 in a back to back comparison when I was spec'ing my bike a year ago. The only complaints I have are the weight (nearly 3 lbs!) and the friction loss in 1st and 2nd gears. 3rd through 7th gear feel as efficient as any derailleur set up. Anyway, I had high hopes for the Nexus 8 - especially the 'sport' version Shimano says will be built with more alloy - hopefully lighter - and be compatible with their brake lever shifters. Has anyone else heard about this new version?

DanO

Is the new Nexus 8 really that bad? I'm riding a Sram Spectro 7. It just edged out the Nexus 7 in a back to back comparison when I was spec'ing my bike a year ago. The only complaints I have are the weight (nearly 3 lbs!) and the friction loss in 1st and 2nd gears. 3rd through 7th gear feel as efficient as any derailleur set up. Anyway, I had high hopes for the Nexus 8 - especially the 'sport' version Shimano says will be built with more alloy - hopefully lighter - and be compatible with their brake lever shifters. Has anyone else heard about this new version?

DanO

DanO,
The Sport (or Premium) version of the Nexus 8 hub is about 10 ounces lighter than the regular Nexus 8. The Premium version also employs an additional roller bearing where the regular hub uses a bushing. The Premium version is discernible by the thin red band around the hub body. I believe our Breezer Uptown 8 is the only bike sold in the USA with this Nexus Premium "Red Band" hub. There's a photo of it on our website.

Alex, I'm glad to hear you're enjoying your Villager. My main ride is a Villager too. One of our sales people tipped me off to your posting.

Is the new Nexus 8 really that bad? I'm riding a Sram Spectro 7. It just edged out the Nexus 7 in a back to back comparison when I was spec'ing my bike a year ago. The only complaints I have are the weight (nearly 3 lbs!) and the friction loss in 1st and 2nd gears. 3rd through 7th gear feel as efficient as any derailleur set up. Anyway, I had high hopes for the Nexus 8 - especially the 'sport' version Shimano says will be built with more alloy - hopefully lighter - and be compatible with their brake lever shifters. Has anyone else heard about this new version?

DanO

It's pretty bad. I was going the way of the internal hub too a while back. But if I had to do it all again I would have definately got her something else. The biggest PITA is removing the rear wheel to change a flat. Maybe I am just lazy but after changing rear tires on non-internal hub bikes I've gotten spoiled. But you will definately get a work out on the Navigator 400 though. The bike weighs a ton and when you get done with your work out you will feel like your legs are stuck in 2 pails of concrete.

Never tried the 'premium' nexus 8 but hopefully it's better.

Alex, I'm glad to hear you're enjoying your Villager. My main ride is a Villager too. One of our sales people tipped me off to your posting.

K, That's pretty cool. I think the fact that Joe Breeze, his own bad self, would take the time to respond to this conversation says a lot about him. I think it also lends some credence to the idea that we, as a group, have an influence over what's being made and marketed by our words and concerns in forums like this one.

Bravo, Joe!

Has anyone seen Skip Hess, President of Giant USA, around? I have a couple questions for him.

DanO,
The Sport (or Premium) version of the Nexus 8 hub is about 10 ounces lighter than the regular Nexus 8. The Premium version also employs an additional roller bearing where the regular hub uses a bushing. The Premium version is discernible by the thin red band around the hub body. I believe our Breezer Uptown 8 is the only bike sold in the USA with this Nexus Premium "Red Band" hub. There's a photo of it on our website.

Alex, I'm glad to hear you're enjoying your Villager. My main ride is a Villager too. One of our sales people tipped me off to your posting.

This is great.... I'm glad we're seeing bicycle builders on open forums. Maybe Joe could start a forum on his website like Dahon did which gets very good feedback.

Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't the Electra Townie use the Nexus 8?

Alex, I'm glad to hear you're enjoying your Villager. My main ride is a Villager too. One of our sales people tipped me off to your posting.

WOW that is so cool!!! You now have a semi-salesman in Miami (just like that guy in the Wendy's commercial).


Two weeks ago, I bought my wife a cute single speed with coaster brakes. She liked it because it's a pink Hello Kitty bike. She's not comfortable riding in the street and I won't let her ride on the sidewalk. So we need to go to the park for her to ride, but the thing weighs a ton. She can't lift it and needs me around to put it on the cars bike rack so we can go to the park. I really wish I would have held off and gotten her a Citizen she would have been completely independent. I know having to ask me to go ride bothers her a bit.

I just told her that Mr. Joe Breeze replied and she thinks it's so cool too!!!

When was the last time Mr. Toyota did something like this? :)

"Internally Geared Hub Bliss"

... The only experience I've had riding an internally-geared bike is with a '70s 3-speed.

I find the internal gearing to be very far from bliss. What I dislike about it is that it doesn't like to shift under a pedaling load at all; 100% of forward pedal pressure needs to be off. I've read that this is often the case with the Rohloff 14-speed hub as well. How about the 7 and 8 speed hubs?

It's taken me a long time to get to the point where I can easily deal with all the quirks derailleurs bring with them, but I'm there, and I think I really like derailleurs now. They're cheap, can provide a wide gear range, shift under load...

I too really enjoy an internal hub. My Specialized Globe 7 has the Sachs hub, which is now the Sram Spectro 7. I love it every day. It works perfectly, shifts great, and the coaster brake ensures that I have good brakes no matter what the weather. I'd never go back.

What turned me on to this type of hub is that after I changed jobs I wanted to ride to work, but had no bike. I pulled out my old ladies John Deere 3-speed and found that the Shimano hub was super cool. Then I bought an old ten speed for the winter and saw what rain, snow, -10 below, and cold did to the exposed derailleur and cogs. I knew then that internal was the only way to go for a bike that has take me back and forth no matter what the weather.

The Breezers are super cool bikes. Supposidly the early-90's Globes like mine inspired Joe B to create your bike (I read he rode his Globe until his bikes were available). That style of bike with the interal hub, lights, racks, fenders, is just perfect for lots of people.

Enjoy!
Pat

"Internally Geared Hub Bliss"

... The only experience I've had riding an internally-geared bike is with a '70s 3-speed.

I find the internal gearing to be very far from bliss. What I dislike about it is that it doesn't like to shift under a pedaling load at all; 100% of forward pedal pressure needs to be off. I've read that this is often the case with the Rohloff 14-speed hub as well. How about the 7 and 8 speed hubs?

It's taken me a long time to get to the point where I can easily deal with all the quirks derailleurs bring with them, but I'm there, and I think I really like derailleurs now. They're cheap, can provide a wide gear range, shift under load...

I think 3 speed bikes in general are better than the ones in the 70's because the bikes back then were a ton! Your're right in saying that the Sturmey Archer AW-3 does not like shifting underload. However, this is not a serious problem unless you live in an area with lots of hills. Furthermore, you really don't need to shift underload with a 3 speed if you stop peddalling for a second an shift down. It's not that hard and I've pretty much mastered this essential skill!

What bothers me about the hub gears are the friction loses and the weight. The reason why I like the 3 speed is because it weighs less than the Nexus 7 so those who live in flat terrain should go for the lesser gears.

My dual drive gives enough of a downshift to get me going comfortably although slowly if caught in high at a light. Obviously, more than three internal gears gets you down low enough to comfortably and QUICKLY accelerate away. Internal gear is the way to go on commuting and touring bikes given the likelihood of unexpected stops.

Direct drive on the Nexus 8 is 5th gear in contrast to 6th as mentioned earlier.



Is the Nexus 8 compounding the drive through two sets of gears in series in 1 and 2 for those greater low end losses similar in design to Rohloff on its lower gears?

Is the sport version much lower in frictional losses than the regular version as a result of the roller bearings?

How does the sport version compare in losses to the SRAM S7 and Rohloff?

Hey, that Breezer looks great.. I currently have a Raleigh Roadster (amoung others) I purchased in 76... It has the SA 3 speed hub and is still going strong.. With the 28 inch wheels and large iron frame it is one of the most confortable/enjoyable bikes I have ever ridden for around town etc... It is heavy and getting long in the tooth however.. The Breezer might just be the perfect replacement for this bike... Anyone know the price range on these ?.

Hey, that Breezer looks great.. I currently have a Raleigh Roadster (amoung others) I purchased in 76... It has the SA 3 speed hub and is still going strong.. With the 28 inch wheels and large iron frame it is one of the most confortable/enjoyable bikes I have ever ridden for around town etc... It is heavy and getting long in the tooth however.. The Breezer might just be the perfect replacement for this bike... Anyone know the price range on these ?.


My Villager cost $630. Prices at the shop where $400 for the 3 speed and $800 for the 8 speed.

The 8 speed has shocks on the front fork, the dynamo for the lights is on the front hub, the lights turn on automatically when needed (via a sensor), and an extra gear :)

Heh, anyone seen a Nexus 8 Premium on sale as a component yet?

My dual drive gives enough of a downshift to get me going comfortably although slowly if caught in high at a light. Obviously, more than three internal gears gets you down low enough to comfortably and QUICKLY accelerate away. Internal gear is the way to go on commuting and touring bikes given the likelihood of unexpected stops.

You can always be in the lowest gear when stopped, and it is easy to let off on the pedal torque momentarily to spin the shifter up a few gears as you gain speed. What this means is I can pull up alongside a Spandex Guy and pull a "hole shot" on him when the light turns green. Of course, he will drop me if there are more than a few blocks until the next light (usually there are not), but it is great entertainment!

Paul