8sp Sturmey Archer internal hub...do I have to stop pedaling to shift?
#1
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8sp Sturmey Archer internal hub...do I have to stop pedaling to shift?
Hi everyone,
I'm riding this bike with an 8sp internal hub. This is the first bike I've owned with this kind of gear system, so I'm not sure if this behavior is normal or not.
If I shift while pedaling moderately (any gear) the gear fails to engage, and it drops me into the lowest gear.
I have to pause pedaling for about 1sec before shifting, then it works reliably.
Is this normal or a sign I need to make adjustments?
I'm riding this bike with an 8sp internal hub. This is the first bike I've owned with this kind of gear system, so I'm not sure if this behavior is normal or not.
If I shift while pedaling moderately (any gear) the gear fails to engage, and it drops me into the lowest gear.
I have to pause pedaling for about 1sec before shifting, then it works reliably.
Is this normal or a sign I need to make adjustments?
#2
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It is normal practice to ease off or stop pedalling while changing an internal gear hub. The SA 8sp is quite sensitive to cable tension. The Shimano hub is less so and shifts better under load. Defaulting to first gear suggests you are using a SA.
#4
You gonna eat that?
My Sturmey Archer 3-speed definitely shifts very crisply... just as long as there isn't a lot of load on it. Once I got used to it, I very much enjoy not having to push the pedals when shifting (like you do with an external derailleur).
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Derailleurs also tend to shift smoother without load, obviously while spinning the cranks. This can be tricky when riding uphill, since you may suddenly fall to a stop.
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My Sturmey 8 shifts surprisingly well under load. I suspect your cable adjustment is off. Back off a little, but a staged hub like the Sturmey 8 should shift very well under load when adjusted properly.
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Can't speak for the SA but when I first got my Shimano Nexus hub I definitely needed to pause pedalling to shift cleanly. However, it may have been just wearing now. Now, two months later, I can shift while pedalling although I do ease up a little -- I don't shift under full steam.