Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Bicycle Mechanics
Reload this Page >

Which Internal Gear Hub???

Notices
Bicycle Mechanics Broken bottom bracket? Tacoed wheel? If you're having problems with your bicycle, or just need help fixing a flat, drop in here for the latest on bicycle mechanics & bicycle maintenance.

Which Internal Gear Hub???

Old 09-04-07, 12:16 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 52
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Which Internal Gear Hub???

I am ramping up to build a winter bike with an internal gear hub and either a drum brake or coaster. I would like at least a 7 speed hub. I have a red band Shimano Nexus 8 which has been good and I have heard great things about the Nexus 7 also. I have never heard bad news of the Sram Spectro hubs either. Are all these hubs good and reliable or are there one I should stay away from? Is there pros/ cons on drum/ coaster brakes?
'72 superbe is offline  
Old 09-04-07, 01:23 PM
  #2  
BF Risk Manager
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Snohomish County, Washington USA
Posts: 906

Bikes: Road, mountain and folding

Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 21 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
The new Shimano Alfine has just hit the market and is disc brake compatible. For a winter bike in your area, I would think disc brakes are a plus. I was looking online at the new Trek Soho 4.0 with an Alfine and disc set up. I would upgrade some of the components, but the basic premise is very interesting.
MillCreek is offline  
Old 09-05-07, 08:23 AM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 1,453
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Sram S7 with Drum brake. Nothing nicer than a completely sealed-service free setup.
K6-III is offline  
Old 09-05-07, 10:14 AM
  #4  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 52
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
K6-III- Are the Nexus hubs not completely sealed? Is there more drag with a coaster brake vs. a drum?
'72 superbe is offline  
Old 09-05-07, 02:08 PM
  #5  
Sir Fallalot
 
wroomwroomoops's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 5,286
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 13 Times in 11 Posts
Originally Posted by '72 superbe
I am ramping up to build a winter bike with an internal gear hub and either a drum brake or coaster. I would like at least a 7 speed hub. I have a red band Shimano Nexus 8 which has been good and I have heard great things about the Nexus 7 also. I have never heard bad news of the Sram Spectro hubs either. Are all these hubs good and reliable or are there one I should stay away from? Is there pros/ cons on drum/ coaster brakes?
As someone who has owned all of them - the Nexus 8 even with and without the red stripe, I would advise you against the Spectro S7, because the red plastic indexing thingy did NOT fare well in considerable (-12 C) cold, and it BROKE during shifting. The thing just isn't suitable for finnish winters, and neither it is for your winters.

Why use the Nexus 7, when you have a red band Nexus 8?

Regarding rollerbrakes: I think they are the best kind of brake for winter wheather, as they are fully sealed. So is a coaster brake, but my personal experience shows that a roller brake has much more stopping power.
wroomwroomoops is offline  
Old 09-05-07, 11:36 PM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
pluc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Montréal, QC, Canada
Posts: 389

Bikes: Surly 1x1 with Nexux 8 "Red line"

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by wroomwroomoops
Regarding rollerbrakes: I think they are the best kind of brake for winter wheather, as they are fully sealed. So is a coaster brake, but my personal experience shows that a roller brake has much more stopping power.
I think the Alfine would be better suited than internal brake systems if his frame has the possibility and within budget. Personally I'd rather leave things separated than all-in-one, just in case.

Personally I use rim brakes year long, so I use them with no brake.
pluc is offline  
Old 09-06-07, 12:19 AM
  #7  
*****es love tarck
 
kemmer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Sandy, UT
Posts: 3,301

Bikes: so many

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Nashbar has some coaster brake three speed wheel sets for $100 right now, that includes the shifter. I was gonna build a FG winter commuter, but I'm leaning towards a second set of these wheels instead.

[IMG][/IMG]
__________________
kemmer is offline  
Old 09-06-07, 01:12 AM
  #8  
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 48
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I've got the Sachs/Sram S7 on a new bike I had built and it makes a constant clicking sound while pedaling in all but the first three gears. The first three gears are silent and as soon as I shift it into fourth it starts a constant clicking. It sounds like it's freewheeling very slowly in fourth gear and increases in frequency as I shift up. Has anyone experienced the same noise and if so, what is the fix? I asked the bike maker if the sound was normal weeks ago but they haven't replied.

The shift indicator was broken when I got it, I have to back off all pressure on the pedals to change gears and there's a pretty big gap between some of the gears. This is my only experience with a geared hub and all these issues (other than the indicator) may be normal. I wouldn't recommend this hub.
nihonric is offline  
Old 09-06-07, 06:36 AM
  #9  
Senior member
 
Dan Burkhart's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Oakville Ontario
Posts: 8,102
Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 935 Post(s)
Liked 641 Times in 363 Posts
Originally Posted by nihonric
I've got the Sachs/Sram S7 on a new bike I had built and it makes a constant clicking sound while pedaling in all but the first three gears. The first three gears are silent and as soon as I shift it into fourth it starts a constant clicking. It sounds like it's freewheeling very slowly in fourth gear and increases in frequency as I shift up. Has anyone experienced the same noise and if so, what is the fix? I asked the bike maker if the sound was normal weeks ago but they haven't replied.

The shift indicator was broken when I got it, I have to back off all pressure on the pedals to change gears and there's a pretty big gap between some of the gears. This is my only experience with a geared hub and all these issues (other than the indicator) may be normal. I wouldn't recommend this hub.
That sound is normal for the S7 in the higher gears. It's mechanical music.
Dan Burkhart is offline  
Old 09-06-07, 06:43 AM
  #10  
Sir Fallalot
 
wroomwroomoops's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 5,286
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 13 Times in 11 Posts
Originally Posted by pluc
I think the Alfine would be better suited than internal brake systems if his frame has the possibility and within budget. Personally I'd rather leave things separated than all-in-one, just in case.

Personally I use rim brakes year long, so I use them with no brake.
The rollerbrake is separate from the hub. I can show you pics of a couple of Shimano Nexave rollerbrakes (compatible with all Nexus hubs, including FREEHUB! hubs - yeah, the ones that take a cassette).
wroomwroomoops is offline  
Old 09-06-07, 06:45 AM
  #11  
Sir Fallalot
 
wroomwroomoops's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 5,286
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 13 Times in 11 Posts
Originally Posted by kemmer
Nashbar has some coaster brake three speed wheel sets for $100 right now, that includes the shifter. I was gonna build a FG winter commuter, but I'm leaning towards a second set of these wheels instead.

[IMG][/IMG]
No pedals, but an anal probe instead of a saddle - s*****!
wroomwroomoops is offline  
Old 09-06-07, 09:39 AM
  #12  
jhc
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 20

Bikes: Trek 400 (85); Schwinn Speedster (ca 71); Nishiki Pueblo (92); Cannondale T800 (2000)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by kemmer
Nashbar has some coaster brake three speed wheel sets for $100 right now, that includes the shifter. I was gonna build a FG winter commuter, but I'm leaning towards a second set of these wheels instead.
This is the set I found on Nashbar. Is it possible to remove/disable the coaster brake from the Nexus 3-speed?
jhc is offline  
Old 09-06-07, 08:38 PM
  #13  
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 48
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Dan Burkhart
That sound is normal for the S7 in the higher gears. It's mechanical music.
Thanks Dan. Now that I know the sound is normal I'm relieved that I don't have to send it back but also a little unhappy that I have to live with the noise! It's pretty loud on a quiet street.
nihonric is offline  
Old 09-06-07, 08:50 PM
  #14  
Senior member
 
Dan Burkhart's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Oakville Ontario
Posts: 8,102
Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 935 Post(s)
Liked 641 Times in 363 Posts
Originally Posted by nihonric
Thanks Dan. Now that I know the sound is normal I'm relieved that I don't have to send it back but also a little unhappy that I have to live with the noise! It's pretty loud on a quiet street.
If you ever have the opportunity to ride a Sturmey archer 5 speed, the sound you will hear in 4th and 5th will make your Sachs seem silent in comparison. I have examples of just about every internal gear hub on the planet, including Sachs, Shimano, Rohloff and Sturmey archer, and the only one that is completely silent in every gear is the Shimano Alfine.
I you don't like the sound it makes, I guess you never put your sport's hero's cards in your spokes as a kid, huh?
Dan Burkhart is offline  
Old 09-06-07, 08:57 PM
  #15  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 52
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
What is the pricing going to be in the states for the Alfine hub? With the Alfine coming soon I would think the Nexus models will be costing less and less to reduce stock and gear up for the Alfine intro??
'72 superbe is offline  
Old 09-06-07, 09:17 PM
  #16  
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 48
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
There's the solution, I'll go out and get some cards and some clothes pins right now!
nihonric is offline  
Old 09-07-07, 06:53 AM
  #17  
Senior member
 
Dan Burkhart's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Oakville Ontario
Posts: 8,102
Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 935 Post(s)
Liked 641 Times in 363 Posts
Originally Posted by '72 superbe
What is the pricing going to be in the states for the Alfine hub? With the Alfine coming soon I would think the Nexus models will be costing less and less to reduce stock and gear up for the Alfine intro??
Wadaya mean, reduce stock? The nexus is still not readily available from our distributors. You gotta get em early in the season, cause the few that are made available get snapped up quick.
Shimano tells me that Alfine will be on the aftermarket in Canada next year, although they did let a few out this year, I was not able to get any. The ones I have came on new bikes.
I'm having the same issues with Sram and their i motion 9 speed. I can get all the S7 hubs I want, but there isn't much call for those any more.
Bottom line is, Sram and Shimano both do not take the North American market seriously when it comes to getting their gearhubs out there. If you don't believe me, just place a phone call to the customer support number of either company and try to engage someone in a conversation about gearhubs. You won't get more than two questions out before you will be asked what your objection to derailleur systems is.
Last winter, I attended the Sram technical training at their product development centre in Colorado Springs, and around there, the mere mention of gearhubs will make you personna non grata.
Dan Burkhart is offline  
Old 09-07-07, 04:27 PM
  #18  
*****es love tarck
 
kemmer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Sandy, UT
Posts: 3,301

Bikes: so many

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by wroomwroomoops
No pedals, but an anal probe instead of a saddle - s*****!
That's just how I roll.

Originally Posted by jhc
This is the set I found on Nashbar. Is it possible to remove/disable the coaster brake from the Nexus 3-speed?

That's the set, looks like the price jumped back up a bit with the introduction of the 15% off coupon. That's a nasty little trick but you'll still end up with a $100 wheelset.

I've also had a couple PMs about those white tires, they were $13 on Nashbar last week.
__________________
kemmer is offline  
Old 11-20-07, 03:01 PM
  #19  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 52
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I ended up with a Nexus 8 by way of Sram S-7. I originally bought a Sram Spectro 7 off of ebay but it was incomplete and the seller refunded my money. A friend who had recently bought, mounted and disliked the Nexus on his recumbent sold me his hub. Now I need to consider if I should get the roller brake for it. Seems like a good idea for winter but I wonder if there will be increased drag due to the roller brake.
'72 superbe is offline  
Old 11-20-07, 06:16 PM
  #20  
Senior Member
 
Grand Bois's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Pinole, CA, USA
Posts: 17,414
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 443 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 27 Times in 25 Posts
The Nexus 8 is supposed to be a big improvement over the Nexus 7, but I like the Nexus 7's shifter better. I just don't like grip shifters.
Grand Bois is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.