Internally Geared Hubs - Advice
07-26-07, 05:24 AM
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Internally Geared Hubs - Advice
Hello. I'm looking to build a new bicycle soon and have a few questions regarding internally geared hubs. I tried searching around the forums a bit but had trouble finding what I wanted. Anyways, the bike in question would primarly be used for excercise and recreation. I live in Salt Lake City, UT, the weather here is very random. I'd like something I can use year round without having to worry too much about wear.
Initially, I thought a three geared hub would suffice. I like to keep things simple and clean, hence my attraction to internally geared hubs, and it seemed just right. However, upon reading some about cadence and cycling(I'm one of those rookies who always rides in the most difficult gear), it seemed like a system that included more gears might be a better idea. SLC is urban, but is also very hilly in some places, so the larger variety of gears could prove beneficial in that sense as well.
I've also read that internally geared hubs are less efficient than derailleurs. In what aspects are they less efficient, and is it really noticable? In any case, any personal experience, opinions, or recommendations regarding internally geared hubs would be most appreciated.
Initially, I thought a three geared hub would suffice. I like to keep things simple and clean, hence my attraction to internally geared hubs, and it seemed just right. However, upon reading some about cadence and cycling(I'm one of those rookies who always rides in the most difficult gear), it seemed like a system that included more gears might be a better idea. SLC is urban, but is also very hilly in some places, so the larger variety of gears could prove beneficial in that sense as well.
I've also read that internally geared hubs are less efficient than derailleurs. In what aspects are they less efficient, and is it really noticable? In any case, any personal experience, opinions, or recommendations regarding internally geared hubs would be most appreciated.
07-26-07, 05:52 AM
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07-26-07, 06:43 AM
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You have some scientific literature on drive train efficiency in the book Bicycling Science that compares derrailleur and internal gear.
https://www.amazon.com/Bicycling-Scie...5454013&sr=1-1
https://www.amazon.com/Bicycling-Scie...5454013&sr=1-1
07-26-07, 08:46 AM
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If you live anywhere near the benches, I would definitely suggest having at least a 7 gear hub or a derailleur geared bike.
Even if you only ride north to south in the middle of the valley, I'd suggest it. Salt Lake is not flat enough.
Even if you only ride north to south in the middle of the valley, I'd suggest it. Salt Lake is not flat enough.
07-26-07, 12:37 PM
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Once I rode 7, 3 was never enough!
07-26-07, 02:15 PM
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In addition to Sheldon's here's a document I made comparing what's currently available, and it has a very useful (well, to me) graph comparing ratios: https://www.velourbain.qc.ca/document...comparatif.pdf
07-26-07, 02:27 PM
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Now is that true, I don't know. I rode one only once and it was the Sturmey Archer 8 but the gears were way too high but couldn't feel it was any different from my derailleur (but I'm building a new bike with a Shimano Nexus 8 Red Line right now so I'll soon have more hands-on experience) and I never got to see the article in question.
