Alternative shifter mounting for IGH with drop bars.
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Alternative shifter mounting for IGH with drop bars.
Well, I finally finished my long delayed i-Motion 9 project. As we all know, drop bar mounting options are very limited for IGH shifters, so I thought I would share my solution.
I decided to make an aero clip a permanent part of the handlebar assembly, complete with interupter levers directly mounted to it. So why not mount the shifter to it as well.
https://cid-c5aa741102f41823.skydrive...bike%20017.jpg
Seems to work OK, except for the fact that the gear indicator window is not easilly visible. Not a big problem for me, as I don't pay much attention to which gear I'm in at any time anyway. Need slower gear, shift down, need faster gear, shift up, like that, ya know?
Complete bike.
https://cid-c5aa741102f41823.skydrive...bike%20016.jpg
As for opinions of the Sram hub, and comparisons to my other gearhubs, not really ready to render an opinion yet, but my early impressions are, it ain't going to stack up favorably to the Shimano hubs.
I decided to make an aero clip a permanent part of the handlebar assembly, complete with interupter levers directly mounted to it. So why not mount the shifter to it as well.
https://cid-c5aa741102f41823.skydrive...bike%20017.jpg
Seems to work OK, except for the fact that the gear indicator window is not easilly visible. Not a big problem for me, as I don't pay much attention to which gear I'm in at any time anyway. Need slower gear, shift down, need faster gear, shift up, like that, ya know?
Complete bike.
https://cid-c5aa741102f41823.skydrive...bike%20016.jpg
As for opinions of the Sram hub, and comparisons to my other gearhubs, not really ready to render an opinion yet, but my early impressions are, it ain't going to stack up favorably to the Shimano hubs.
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From the photos, it looks like the aero bars and the drops are the only hand positions available. Is this a problem? I don't know if you're interested, but the Versa STI-style IGH shifter is soon available as a stand-alone component. It's $200, so there's a lot cheaper solutions.
Since you have experience with other IGH's, could you share some more details on why you think the i-Motion might not be on par with the others?
Since you have experience with other IGH's, could you share some more details on why you think the i-Motion might not be on par with the others?
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From the photos, it looks like the aero bars and the drops are the only hand positions available. Is this a problem? I don't know if you're interested, but the Versa STI-style IGH shifter is soon available as a stand-alone component. It's $200, so there's a lot cheaper solutions.
Since you have experience with other IGH's, could you share some more details on why you think the i-Motion might not be on par with the others?
Since you have experience with other IGH's, could you share some more details on why you think the i-Motion might not be on par with the others?
We'll have to see if they do offer an STI for the Sram. It pulls a lot of cable.
Just did a 12k on it to get some more impressions.
First, it's noisy. (Ratcheting sounds.)As noisy as a Shimano 3 speed in some gears. Much noisier than even the first generation Nexus 8. I don't normally mind ratcheting sounds, my Sturmey Archer 5 speed ticks in 4th and 5th, and I don't mind it at all, but this is more like angry bees noisy.
The claim is that it shifts under load. It does that, but not very smoothly. The Nexus 8, Alfine and Rohloffs shift much nicer under load.
The claim is that cable attachment is the easiest of any gearhub. Yup, I've gotta give em this one. It's pretty slick.
It has a slight advantage over the Shimano hubs in ratio range, and who knows about durability at this stage, but over all, I can't see that this hub is worth the additional cost over the Alfine.
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I hve a Swobo Dixon with the iM9 and it seems to be getting smoother with age. I also have the Rohloff and it is IMO the best gear hub going, which it ought to be at the price.
No experience with the Alfine yet but just finishing building up a Steelwool Tweed with one, using the Jtek shifter mounted on Nitto Randonneur bars. I did find that the Jtek requires installing a in-line cable adjuster as there is no provision for cable adjustment included with the shifter.
No experience with the Alfine yet but just finishing building up a Steelwool Tweed with one, using the Jtek shifter mounted on Nitto Randonneur bars. I did find that the Jtek requires installing a in-line cable adjuster as there is no provision for cable adjustment included with the shifter.
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Gear Hubs Owned: Rohloff disc brake, SRAM iM9 disc brake, SRAM P5 freewheel, Sachs Torpedo 3 speed freewheel, NuVinci CVT, Shimano Alfine SG S-501, Sturmey Archer S5-2 Alloy. Other: 83 Colnago Super Record, Univega Via De Oro
Visit and join the Yahoo Geared Hub Bikes group for support and links.
https://groups.yahoo.com/group/Geared_hub_bikes/
Gear Hubs Owned: Rohloff disc brake, SRAM iM9 disc brake, SRAM P5 freewheel, Sachs Torpedo 3 speed freewheel, NuVinci CVT, Shimano Alfine SG S-501, Sturmey Archer S5-2 Alloy. Other: 83 Colnago Super Record, Univega Via De Oro
Visit and join the Yahoo Geared Hub Bikes group for support and links.
https://groups.yahoo.com/group/Geared_hub_bikes/
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I hve a Swobo Dixon with the iM9 and it seems to be getting smoother with age. I also have the Rohloff and it is IMO the best gear hub going, which it ought to be at the price.
No experience with the Alfine yet but just finishing building up a Steelwool Tweed with one, using the Jtek shifter mounted on Nitto Randonneur bars. I did find that the Jtek requires installing a in-line cable adjuster as there is no provision for cable adjustment included with the shifter.
No experience with the Alfine yet but just finishing building up a Steelwool Tweed with one, using the Jtek shifter mounted on Nitto Randonneur bars. I did find that the Jtek requires installing a in-line cable adjuster as there is no provision for cable adjustment included with the shifter.
Story here.
https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-mechanics/519800-j-tech-barend-shifter-alfine.html
I did note the requirement for an in line cable adjuster. Not a big deal, but not ideal either.
You're gonna love the Alfine, but one word of warning. You won't be able to tell what gear you're in by the sound.
Let's see some pictures of that Steelwool when you're done.
Last edited by Dan Burkhart; 05-13-09 at 06:25 AM.
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I agree with your assement of the im9. I had mine on a mtb, it's not up to the task whereas Shimano Alfine is. I've moved mine to a commuter bike and now I'm racking up miles in an attempt to break it in. I poured two cap fulls of Mobil 1 ATF in it (had some around), it shifts much better. The noise is annoying, esp compared to an Alfiine. The steps are much more even that the Shimano Alfine/Nexus, it's noticable on a commuter.
One other point is there's NO spare parts for the im9, no sprockets, no drive side dustcaps. Without the drive side dustcap, I can't pull it apart and inspect/lube the im9, the dustcap isn't re-usable.
One other point is there's NO spare parts for the im9, no sprockets, no drive side dustcaps. Without the drive side dustcap, I can't pull it apart and inspect/lube the im9, the dustcap isn't re-usable.
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I agree with your assement of the im9. I had mine on a mtb, it's not up to the task whereas Shimano Alfine is. I've moved mine to a commuter bike and now I'm racking up miles in an attempt to break it in. I poured two cap fulls of Mobil 1 ATF in it (had some around), it shifts much better. The noise is annoying, esp compared to an Alfiine. The steps are much more even that the Shimano Alfine/Nexus, it's noticable on a commuter.
One other point is there's NO spare parts for the im9, no sprockets, no drive side dustcaps. Without the drive side dustcap, I can't pull it apart and inspect/lube the im9, the dustcap isn't re-usable.
One other point is there's NO spare parts for the im9, no sprockets, no drive side dustcaps. Without the drive side dustcap, I can't pull it apart and inspect/lube the im9, the dustcap isn't re-usable.
Where did you access the internals to pour in the oil? Has any of it leaked out?
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https://www.sturmey-archer.com/pdfs/S..._Catalogue.pdf
Lots of neat new stuff:
Fancy thumb shifters
Bar-end shifters!
3, 5, and 8-speed versions
70mm and 90mm drum brakes
dynohubs
fixed-gear 3-speed hubs... in colors.
I don't know what's going to make it to the US, but... wow...
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Where did you access the internals to pour in the oil? Has any of it leaked out?
I am much happier with this hub now that I'm running with ATF. As soon as I can source a disposable dustcap, I'll pull the guts and clean them in paint thinner, then run only ATF.
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Are you willing to try out one of the new Sturmey-Archer hubs? Take a look at their latest catalog:
https://www.sturmey-archer.com/pdfs/S..._Catalogue.pdf
Lots of neat new stuff:
Fancy thumb shifters
Bar-end shifters!
3, 5, and 8-speed versions
70mm and 90mm drum brakes
dynohubs
fixed-gear 3-speed hubs... in colors.
I don't know what's going to make it to the US, but... wow...
https://www.sturmey-archer.com/pdfs/S..._Catalogue.pdf
Lots of neat new stuff:
Fancy thumb shifters
Bar-end shifters!
3, 5, and 8-speed versions
70mm and 90mm drum brakes
dynohubs
fixed-gear 3-speed hubs... in colors.
I don't know what's going to make it to the US, but... wow...
I'll probably try a wide range SA 5 speed next, maybe with the bar end shifter.
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One member of the Yahoo IGH Bikes group linked to in my signature block below has just reported loss of third gear on his new wide ratio 8 speed SA hub after only about 250 miles. All other gears are working fine and no strange noises noticed from the hub. Third gear though provides no drive. He is going to provide more info once it is determined what the problem is.
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Gear Hubs Owned: Rohloff disc brake, SRAM iM9 disc brake, SRAM P5 freewheel, Sachs Torpedo 3 speed freewheel, NuVinci CVT, Shimano Alfine SG S-501, Sturmey Archer S5-2 Alloy. Other: 83 Colnago Super Record, Univega Via De Oro
Visit and join the Yahoo Geared Hub Bikes group for support and links.
https://groups.yahoo.com/group/Geared_hub_bikes/
Gear Hubs Owned: Rohloff disc brake, SRAM iM9 disc brake, SRAM P5 freewheel, Sachs Torpedo 3 speed freewheel, NuVinci CVT, Shimano Alfine SG S-501, Sturmey Archer S5-2 Alloy. Other: 83 Colnago Super Record, Univega Via De Oro
Visit and join the Yahoo Geared Hub Bikes group for support and links.
https://groups.yahoo.com/group/Geared_hub_bikes/