Commuting - no IGH commuters?

I have noticed that I have never seen any long distance commuter bikes with IGH (I call long distance commuter a roady/cyclocross bike). Is there a reason why you never see bike with say drops and an IGH or is this just that people dont think there is a market for it?

I have noticed that I have never seen any long distance commuter bikes with IGH (I call long distance commuter a roady/cyclocross bike). Is there a reason why you never see bike with say drops and an IGH or is this just that people dont think there is a market for it?

While much more reliable, IGH bikes are heavier and more expensive, and if you want the gear range of a light, inexpensive derailleur bike, you really have no choice but a very expensive hub. I use an IGH for commuting (5 miles one way). I use a breezer Uptown 8 because I like the upright riding position to make it easier to see traffic. For my LD bikes, I go with derailleur systems. That's my $.02.

They're out there and you'll probably start to see more as time goes on. I would think touring bikes would be likely candidates before cyclocross and performance oriented road bikes.

Anyway the reason you don't see too many is I'm sure do to the extra weight, slower shifts/loss of efficiency (even if slight), and more limited gearing options since IGH equipped bikes typically have only a single chain ring.

Then there's the shifter problem. There are some options that work on drops but I don't know if there's anything equivalent to a brifter.

The reason you don't see drop bar IGH bikes out there is because until last year, there were no real elegant solutions for mounting the shifter on road drop bars

Twist and rapidfire shifters from all the companies marketing IGH hubs fit mtn diameter bars, not road bars, with their greater diameter. Harris Cyclery has a mtn diameter bar-end extension for use with twist shifters.

Last year, JTek produced a bar end shifter, and Dynamic released a brake/shifter unit... on their drop bar "performance" road bike. JTek went out of business, now back. Not sure of plans for further shifter production, but there are older units floating around out there. The new brifter is showing up on some bikes.

Plenty of flat bar IGH bikes out there. Many being used for commuting.

My primary commuter is build around a Nexus 8 hub--38 mi r/t commute; about 2800 mi in '09.

The reason you don't see drop bar IGH bikes out there is because until last year, there were no real elegant solutions for mounting the shifter on road drop bars

+1

+1

+2. If they made a Rohloff with a drop-bar shifter as elegant as brifters, I'd buy it. It wouldn't even have to be a brifter, but it would have to be something sleeker than a twist-grip.

The first bike I bought after starting regular commuting has an IGH, a Swobo Dixon. It's a nice bike, but since getting a road bike in the summer and getting used to it, I prefer road bikes for just moving on clean roads. I had only a MTB before this and didn't think I would like a road bike. I was dead wrong. It's been eye-opening, really. If the roads are clear, it's hard to pick the Dixon because the road bike is faster, easier to ride, and lighter. The Dixon is currently being used most of the time though, since I have studded tires that fit it. Shifting (gripshift) is also much easier with it when wearing heavier/two pairs of gloves, something I didn't think of until today. My road bike uses friction shifting!

For shorter commutes and poorer weather, an IGH startes to make more sense, IMO, but road bikes are generally the cat's ass.

The reason you don't see drop bar IGH bikes out there is because until last year, there were no real elegant solutions for mounting the shifter on road drop bars.

I don't understand why Shimano, Sturmey Archer, et al haven't addressed this issue.

A twist grip shifter is actually very well suited to IGH generally; you can shift as many gears as you want in one fluid motion (and I do this all the time). The problem is mounting the twist grip shifter to any kind of drop bar. I've tried a couple of innovative ways of doing this, but so far I'm not ecstatic about the results. I'm trying to get a JTek shifter, but they're not available at the moment.

I can't imagine riding in heavy stop-and-go traffic with a derailleur; IGH shifting is just much better for that kind of thing. But I also use IGH's for long distance and touring riding.

I don't understand why Shimano, Sturmey Archer, et al haven't addressed this issue.

Probably don't feel that there's enough of a demand for it yet.




A twist grip shifter is actually very well suited to IGH generally; you can shift as many gears as you want in one fluid motion (and I do this all the time). The problem is mounting the twist grip shifter to any kind of drop bar. I've tried a couple of innovative ways of doing this, but so far I'm not ecstatic about the results. I'm trying to get a JTek shifter, but they're not available at the moment.

I can't imagine riding in heavy stop-and-go traffic with a derailleur; IGH shifting is just much better for that kind of thing. But I also use IGH's for long distance and touring riding.

In heavy stop and go traffic I'm not doing a ton of shifting and typically any gear I stop in is suitable for starting again. There are times when I leave myself in too high of a gear but I usually don't realize that until after started pedaling anyway.

I've got a Trek Soho with the IGH and I've done a few longer rides, but nothing over 35 miles yet. I plan on doing a 65 mile ride in the spring, and training on this bike up until that ride. My commute to work is just 7.5 round trip, but even on the longer rides I haven't felt any resistance. I can't imagine this bike not working just fine for longer rides...and some drop bars would help with the aero.

As I like to say, "I am the limiting factor in my cycling performance.". An extra 2% efficiency due to drivetrain changes might be nice, but losing that 20 pounds off my a$$ would do me more good.

I see you are in TO. I commute every day in Toronto on an IGH and really like it. Except that on the colder days the gears will fail to shift because something or other freezes stuck.

The ease of shifting (except in cold) is amazing and shifting at stoplights is very useful. Mine is the Alfine group with the hydraulic disk brakes and I really like those as well.

Also - I should say my daily rides are between 40 and 90kms.

http://www.ecovelo.info/2010/01/03/short-term-road-test-civia-bryant/ There you go.

I had 4-speed IGH for two years, it failed. It was nice while it lasted. It was full of road crap and grinding. LBS deemed it unfixable due to labor costs. I went back to regular gears, at least I can fix them easily.

If my commute was near 100% heavy traffic I'd ride singlespeed.

Z.

http://www.ecovelo.info/2010/01/03/short-term-road-test-civia-bryant/ There you go.

Wow, very nice bike. I was thinking about a Trek Portland for a future upgrade...but now this will have to go in the running!

http://www.ecovelo.info/2010/01/03/short-term-road-test-civia-bryant/ There you go.

Can it take a 40mm tire? That would be a great winter/all round bike for me if I were to suddenly fall into $1800. Kind of a tank though at 30 lbs.

http://www.ecovelo.info/2010/01/03/short-term-road-test-civia-bryant/ There you go.
Very nice! Any Civia dealers in Europe?

Here's another one using the Versa shifters and IGH http://www.dynamicbicycles.com/synergy/road.php

I don't understand why Shimano, Sturmey Archer, et al haven't addressed this issue

Because they also understand that noone REALLY wants this bike.


We'll see how the Civia does. I've already heard the whining about no generator hub though. And if it did have a hub, there would be whining about whether it was the right hub, or whether they put a light on it, and if it was the right light, and if there was a rear light, and if THAT was the right light, and on and on and on down the theoretical BF ideal commuter bike list.


New riders aren't going to buy the Bryant, and people that have been around a lot of different bikes aren't either because they will likely find something they don't like about it. That leaves a fairly narrow group that *thinks* they know what they want.

Here's mine. I commute 10 miles round trip 3 days a week and built this up a couple months ago. Slick tires and a more stable rack are going on this week. As mentioned, the igh is a little heavy but I am happy with the results. Some think the shifter is cumbersome but I have no issues with it at the bar end.

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/matthewjones0224/DSCF4555.jpg

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/matthewjones0224/DSCF4558.jpg

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/matthewjones0224/DSCF4566.jpg

Wow, all of those bikes look awesome! And the bike (http://www.dynamicbicycles.com/synergy/road.php) is 1000$!!!
I am suprised at this as the versa shifters it uses are 229$ (http://austinontwowheels.org/2009/07/30/review-versa-8-speed-road-shifter-for-shimano-internal-hub/)
Also I really like that those twist shifter ends on your bike megalowmatt but why didnt you put them at the top... where the bar meets the stem?


I hear those of you who commute like crazy with your normal flat bar bikes but where I commute now there are lots of long stretches and wind (Burlington). And I would love to ride SS but there are too many massive hills here.


I had 4-speed IGH for two years, it failed. It was nice while it lasted. It was full of road crap and grinding. LBS deemed it unfixable due to labor costs. I went back to regular gears, at least I can fix them easily.
But aren't IGH supposed to be more immune to offensive material... 2 years isnt that long.

...In heavy stop and go traffic I'm not doing a ton of shifting and typically any gear I stop in is suitable for starting again. There are times when I leave myself in too high of a gear but I usually don't realize that until after started pedaling anyway.

I have bad knees, so that's actually the main thing that I really like about IGH's. I shift all the time on mine.

But aren't IGH supposed to be more immune to offensive material... 2 years isnt that long.

That's what I though too :( They're too complex to maintain and repair. If I was riding in nice weather I'd get one again but I'm going to stick with regular gears for now, I just wipe them drivetrain after each messy ride.

A.

just saw a trek soho IGH for $700 (an '90, before the jacked up the price), so maybe soon I'll have a story for this thread

Wow, all of those bikes look awesome! And the bike (http://www.dynamicbicycles.com/synergy/road.php) is less than 100$!!!
I am suprised at this as the versa shifters it uses are 229$ (http://austinontwowheels.org/2009/07/30/review-versa-8-speed-road-shifter-for-shimano-internal-hub/)I am thinking that you either mistyped 100$ or misread.

The bike is listed for $999.

whoops edited

2008 Rocky Mountain Metropolis.

A IGH is a fantastic drivetrain for a commuter especially for foul weather. My Alfine has been flawless thus far.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c76/TequilaJoe888/Rocky%20Mountain%20Metropolis/IMG_0829.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c76/TequilaJoe888/Rocky%20Mountain%20Metropolis/IMG_0830.jpg

131305

Dynamic Synergy. Been out for about a year?

http://www.dynamicbicycles.com/buy/Bikes.php?prodid=75

World's first drop bar road bike to use an Alfine, according to the website.

Edit: D'oh! Already mentioned.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/bianchi-sanjos8/index.html

sheldon brown likes em.


i personally have a schwinn sporterria nx8. i like the flat bars for commuting no matter what the distance simply due to the amount of control and comfort it gives. In a tight situation i rather be upright than caught in the drops....

One thing I have learned with my IGH is that you want to put more emphasis on having a robust tire. Fixing a rear flat on my Swobo Dixon is kind of a big deal - it isn't terribly hard to get the wheel off (though there is an extra step or two), but I have to worry about putting the axle back in the dropout in just the right place on each side to get the right chain tension and the wheel in straight. (I use allen bits for measurement). And for some reason, the disc brake often needs a little adjustment. Don't understand that one. I'm looking forward to the way I wear out the exisitng tire so I can replace it with one of my spares - a Schwalbe Marathon Plus.

Come to think of it, the next time I take the tire off at home I'll just put the M+ on then, and save the weaker tires for the front. After the winter anyway, because I have studs on now. The Kenda Kwests that came with the bike are advertised as being highly puncture resistance but I wouldn't buy them alone.

Fixing a rear flat on a bike with derailleurs is also messy, but at least you don't have to fuss with any adjustments.

Because they also understand that noone REALLY wants this bike.


We'll see how the Civia does. I've already heard the whining about no generator hub though. And if it did have a hub, there would be whining about whether it was the right hub, or whether they put a light on it, and if it was the right light, and if there was a rear light, and if THAT was the right light, and on and on and on down the theoretical BF ideal commuter bike list.


New riders aren't going to buy the Bryant, and people that have been around a lot of different bikes aren't either because they will likely find something they don't like about it. That leaves a fairly narrow group that *thinks* they know what they want.

Okay, but where you're talking about bikes, I'm talking about components. Ever since I outgrew the shiny new 1973 Schwinn Speedster I got for my 11th birthday, I have customized my bikes to suit my needs. Over the years I've learned what components I'm willing to pay extra for, and which ones I'm not. I wouldn't expect any commuter bike to come with a $300 LED lighting system, and frankly even the dynamo hub is a pretty minor upgrade. Regardless which one you chose, they exist. For example, if you want a dynamo hub that fits in a 16" wheel and doesn't blow up conventional lights, you get a Schmidt; it's pricey, but your LBS can order one for you, and problem solved. If you want to go cheap, you can put a conventional dynamo hub in a little wheel and build your own LED lights; all the electronic components are out there, and you can buy them over the internet. Of course most people aren't going to go to that level of aggravation, but the option is there for those who chose it.

The problem with the IGH / drop bar combination is real. No hub manufacturer makes an IGH hub shifter sized for road bike bars (15/16", AKA 23.8 mm). This is not a problem your LBS can solve, and the only DIY options involve a machine shop.

sorry, maybe slightly off topic,
the last one year I commute on my 3sp IG 16" wheel folder.
I am planning to convert my single speed roadbike to 3sp igh with coasterbrake, just like my folder.
I am no fan of dropbars, so I will not have problem with the gripshifter.
(but hey, I might hide the shifter somewhere under my seat, so my handlebar would be as clean as a beach cruiser bike.....)

There are some DIY options to mount a twist grip shifter on drop bars.

One is a split handle bar with a mountain diameter section.

http://viksbigdummy.blogspot.com/2008/10/rohloff-shifer-on-drop-bar.html

Another is a Minaura accessory bar.

http://www.amazon.com/Minoura-Space-Bicycle-Handlebar-Attachment/dp/B000BMUF1G

Paul

Actually, boy and girls, riders used Sturmey three- and -four speed hubs & trigger shifters on dropped bar bikes for decades. Successful; nobody ever seemed to complain (this was the same era that derailleur users shifted from the downtube and didn't complain).

The modern paradigm equates drop bars with brifters. To that end, I've been shifting my T3 hub with a low end Shimano LH triple brifter for several years now - works fine, but a lot more expensive and IMO not any better than an SRF3 with a classic Sturmey trigger.

HTH,
tcs

Actually, boy and girls, riders used Sturmey three- and -four speed hubs & trigger shifters on dropped bar bikes for decades. Successful; nobody ever seemed to complain (this was the same era that derailleur users shifted from the downtube and didn't complain).

Hey, you're preaching to the choir now! Here's the trigger shifter on my 1950 Norman. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2578/4071500731_28a10b3347_b.jpg
But it's not so easy with a Nexus Inter-8 or SA XRF8.

I've tried the split handlebar thing, and I've used a flat bar with drop ends; both are workable solutions, but I haven't tweaked either one to perfection yet. DIY is fine with me, but I do wish the industry would tackle this problem for me.

That's what I though too :( They're too complex to maintain and repair. If I was riding in nice weather I'd get one again but I'm going to stick with regular gears for now, I just wipe them drivetrain after each messy ride.

They're not too complex. Just that most LBSes are stupid, lazy, and incompetent. So as usual if you want it done right you have to do it yourself.

There may not be that many off the rack options is this niche category. But come to think of it, I don't own any off the rack bikes. I run Alfine 8 on my Crosscheck with drop bars and a Jtek shifter bar end. It's an awesome set up.

The Jtek shifter is perfect, precise, and bullet proof. When I first got it Jay Guthrie the owner of JTek was responsive and helpful when I had stupid questions. Unfortunatley he had to cease production for a time due to his battle with cancer. But JTek is now back in business being run by his son. Good people, and good products.

http://jtekengineering.com/

Has anyone run a regular friction bar end shifter with a IGH?

Has anyone run a regular friction bar end shifter with a IGH?

AFAIK, they won't work on anything with more than three gears. Not enough cable pull. I've also read that it can prematurely wear down your IGH.

I put an Alfine on my utility bike. Liked it so much I decided to move it to a new commuter I am putting together.

IGH ... I'm a big fan.

Using the Shimano trigger shifters (RapidFire?).

Not a drop bar but old-fashioned "English Racer" bars. This is on a Robin Hood.

As for handlebars on the new bike, it will probably have ... I haven't decided. I like drop bars, but, to be honest, I rarely ride in the drops.

For drop bars and Shimano 7 and 8 speed hubs the Jtek is an excellent solution that is also an option for the Sunrace Sturmey Archer 8 speed hubs. I am using one on a drop bar Alfine hub bike. Unfortunately it is not available for SRAM iM9 or Rohloff hubs as both use LOTS of cable pull to shift full range and the Rohloff uses a dual cable pull-pull shift mechanism design with the shifting indexing in the hub. For those either the split handlebar, Hubbub or something like the Minoura accessory mount to allow mounting the twist shifter are necessary. I am using a home machined version of the Hubbub with a drop bar and the SRAM P5 hub and shifter on one bike and it works fine.

If you have a bike with a old style stem then a short straight bar end clamped to the stem can also provide a mount for a twist grip style shifter. IIRC this is shown in a photo on the Harris Cyclery web site.

I agree that the manufacturers of IGH units are ignoring the needs of those who want drop bar IGH shifting but historically such riders have been a small minority of the market. Remember that historically IGH bikes have been city bikes or upright commuters in the major markets for IGH units, Europe and Japan. Historically Great Britain is the only country with a tradition of sporting bike use of IGH units and SA made a number of close ratio and medium ratio hubs for such use until the derailleur took over the sports bike market.

... or something like the Minoura accessory mount to allow mounting the twist shifter are necessary.

Depending on your tastes, I think the Nitto Lamp Holder is a nice-looking, although more expensive, alternative to the Minoura: http://www.benscycle.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=873

I am using the alfine with jtek adapter on my Trek 520 with drop bars and love it for long distance commuting. Mind you where I live is pretty flat, but I will never go back to a standard setup if I can help it....

Shimano 3 here, and we don't really have bad weather. It just looks elegant.

Surly CrossCheck, Nexus 8, Hub Bub bar-end adaptor and twist shift. I put about 3000 commuting miles on this bike between Leiden and Amsterdam and Leiden and Delft last spring. I now commute 8km rt in Illinois.

You might note that the terrain in both places has something in common. The IGH is really bloody heavy, but it's a good trade where I've used it.

This is my IGH commuter setup-
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h170/HandsomeRyan/IMG_0984.jpg
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h170/HandsomeRyan/Messenger7-1.jpg
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h170/HandsomeRyan/Messenger7-4.jpg

SRAM S-7 IGH shoved into the back of a Motobecane Messenger [formerly fixed gear]

Since I am currently unemployed (hence I have no job to commute to) and I also own a Detour Deluxe I took the S-7 wheel off and converted it back to SS and added a new form of 'utility' with a homemade front rack.
This is what the bike looks like today-
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h170/HandsomeRyan/IMG_1187.jpg

Been all over this forum trying to get an answer to a question about the Alfine 8. Mine seems to slip a tiny bit occasionally. Should this be expected? It's just a bit of a soft spot in the pedal stroke in certain gears. Or should it feel no different than a regular geared bike?

Three of my four machines have IGS:

1. Trek Mountaineer, converted with a NuVinci CVT.
2. Surly Big Dummy, Rolhoff 14-speed IHG (and a Stokemonkey, so some may say it is cheating; in my defense, I use it mostly when I have to go up into the serious hills and/or have a very heavy load.
3. A Greenspeed tadpole tricumbent; Shimano 8 speed with a Schlumpf.

Number four is a Montegue Paratrooper; I plan to convert it to an IHG soon.

Three of my four machines have IGS:

1. Trek Mountaineer, converted with a NuVinci CVT.
2. Surly Big Dummy, Rolhoff 14-speed IHG (and a Stokemonkey, so some may say it is cheating; in my defense, I use it mostly when I have to go up into the serious hills and/or have a very heavy load.
3. A Greenspeed tadpole tricumbent; Shimano 8 speed with a Schlumpf.

Number four is a Montegue Paratrooper; I plan to convert it to an IHG soon.

So any chance you can help with my question? This is an oldish thread I resurrected after a search to try to get some answers. Thanks

So any chance you can help with my question? This is an oldish thread I resurrected after a search to try to get some answers. Thanks

Did you make sure the hub is adjusted as it should? If it is I think you should just ride it. If not do it, or have it done.

Did you make sure the hub is adjusted as it should? If it is I think you should just ride it. If not do it, or have it done.

Took a couple days to finally get the answer but it turns out my hub is adjusted fine. The feel I get is typical of IGH I find because of the clutch.