TransitBiker

In all my years of test riding, internal gear hubs have always shifted faster, because you're not moving a chain. My uptown has a 2 cable system, and its shifting is instantaneous, which is why i picked it vs a geared hub. Then you have the whole keeping the derailleurs calibrated properly thing, and the chain which can wear faster due to constant lateral movement. Both systems have up sides and down sides, but if you want simple to use and less upkeep, internal hub is gonna win every time.

- Andy

dynaryder

I've owned 3/4/7/8spd Nexus hubs,two 8spd Alfines,3 and 9spd iMotions,and a 3spd SA. I can't say any of them shifted noticeably faster than a derailleur bike. I can say that derailleur systems shift better under load.

This is the Panzer:


I've got well north of 10k miles on it. It's been through about every snow storm since '06. It's been in the rain many times. And it's been beaten and crashed playing bike polo. Other than tweaking the cables for 'stretch'(which you do for all shifter cables),I've adjusted the front derailleur once. I've never touched the rear. IGH's have their place,but derailleurs really aren't that big of a deal to live with.

Sixty Fiver

Whut ?

Sixty Fiver

I'll be riding my Moulton with it's Nexus 7 speed tonight... it's a great little hub and shifts crisply but would have to say the indexed 9 speed on it's little brother shifts much faster and will do that under high loads.

As for adjustment, a good derailleur system is a set it and forget it affair and IGH drives also can slip out of adjustment.

I roll on multi speed drivetrains ranging from a 4 speed derailleur to multiple three speed IGH drives to 7 and 9 speed dual drives, and have 5, 7, 8, and 9 speed derailleur gearings with friction and index shifting.

6 miles is not much of a distance and even if the road goes up and down, a three speed IGH is a fine hub for the task if it is set up right.

thiocyclist

I have been told I am not using the right sort of derailleurs but yeah, my Nexus shifts in <1 sec whereas my derailleur bikes (current and former) shift from 1-2 sec each. Am I just a freak?

Sixty Fiver

My 9 speed bikes both run an XT 9 speed rear derailleur, one has thumbies and the other has bar end shifters... the shifting on these is as good as it gets and my 8 speed XC bike also shifts equally well with bar ends.

My 7 speed Nexus also shifts very well but it is no contest when you compare that to a finely tuned indexed system as you can't shift as well under load, my wife's 8 speed Alfine shifts just as well.

thiocyclist

How long does your 7-speed take to shift? My 3-speed feels instantaneous. I guess I don't see how anything could be better than that.

That and the fact that shifting doesn't require as much kinetic energy seem like a real plus to me. But the thread is now turning into "derailleurs versus IGHs" which is not my goal...

How about this, you guys who are big derailleur fans, post a bike you think would be a superior commuter to the Ox for $800 or less. Something I can actually go try and falls within my budget.

katsrevenge

Upgrade, if you must, to the 8 speed IGH. I have your bike's big sis, the Kensington mixte. So. Much. Love.

...And yeah, anymore riding my dérailleur bike just doesn't compare. It's so noisy. And it clatters. And chain slap. And cleaning the $%#$% thing. (sucks worse in the winter.. snow gets in there...)

As for bare spots in your steed's hide.. nail polish or duck tape. I use both. (they make some neat looking duck tapes these days. See the rainbow stuff on the bar that gets kicked a lot? )

alan s 

Not sure why you are asking. Are you looking for support from a bunch of strangers on whether to buy a new bike? All I can say is if you have the money and desire, do it. Otherwise, don't do it.

thiocyclist

As the first fellow Windsor owner I suspect you may be the first to really understand what I am looking for... I have been very pleasantly surprised with the Oxford for the price. I won't be disappointed if I can't find a better replacement, as most of the "better" alternatives so far just haven't been my cuppa.

How many miles do you have on yours? I'm thinking mine is somewhere in the low 5000s by now.

Actually I'm looking more for suggestions about what I would upgrade to if I were to do so, as I really haven't run across to many bikes like the Oxford besides some of the Linus and Public models. As I look around, other models trying to do the same thing really jump the shark (IMO) so I was hoping to get suggestions of things I may not have heard of... That doesn't seem hard to understand.

path4

I have always been interested in a 8 speed IGH. I like the simplicity and clean look. I have some concerns though.

1. I got my commuter used for around $150 and it is still a very nice ride. A IGH hub alone costs that much.
2. I didn't have to touch the rear derailleur for the whole last year. So I question how much IGH can do better.
3. This is my primary concern. If I get a flat in the rear tire, it is very easy to patch or change the tube. I don't know how easy it is with IGH to change the tube.

bikemig 

This is a no brainer, n + 1 time. 2 commuters are better than one.

spare_wheel

no. lots of people ride around with poorly adjusted or damaged drive trains.

thiocyclist

Changing a tire on an IGH bike is about the same as on a fixed gear or freewheel SS bike. I find it easier just because getting the chain back in place is not as annoying.

So, serious question, is 1-2 seconds shifting with a derailleur a sign of a poorly adjusted or damaged drive train (should I expect better)?

katsrevenge

Same. I have had several bike shop employees tell me what a deal the bike was. The bike is smooth riding, nearly silent and nice and responsive. It can also take my fat butt+30-40 some pounds of grocery and cat litter! I went with bikes direct and this bike after searching craigslist for months (in vain, I wanted an old English 3 speed! Sigh.) and finding out that the local bike shops either carry new mountain bikes or old mountain bikes. Don't want a mountain bike...

And, I have been searching for a loop frame (low step through, dutch-style) and I haven't been able to find anything that is the same value for money. The Papomillonaire Sommor (spelling??) has been the closest.. and a 3 speed is almost double what this bike cost me!
Erm, checking out Critical bikes, too. They have single speeds that would be at the perfect price point to throw a IGH kit onto. (I need to start a thread and find out if they suck, heh.)

I've had Big Grey since April. I think I've put some 400-500 miles on her? I do have a second bike that I also ride. This is good because I racked it up and bent the handlebars. Waiting on a set of trekking bars. For this reason alone a small stable is a good idea, I think.

1. My other bike was a freebie that I restored to working order. It ha a great ride as well... other than the derailer. I want to (eventually, this project keeps getting pushed back!!) replace the drivetrain with SS or 3 sped IGH. To me, it's just a nicer way of riding.
2. You don't clean your gears and chain??? Mine get all grimey after a few weeks. In the winter crap gets caught in it. The thing freezes. The IGH takes five minutes to wipe clean and since it is higher, it doesn't get as dirty as often.
3. Youtube has a guide. You can do it like with the old school full chain case and skirt gaurds Oma bikes and just fix the flat on the bike. Or, take the wheel off. With mine, you flip the bike over, stick a small hex or clip in there and slide the thing up. It unclips and then you just do it like a SS.

gregjones

No need to start a new thread.


This forum is old enough that a simple search will usually produce useful results.

path4

1. I think I'd eventually get a shimano 8 nexus. Changing gear while waiting for green light is useful.
2. I clean chains when it starts making noises, usually after riding in rain a few time. In late fall and early spring, I had to do that as much as weekly. I applied WD40 on each link, ran though all the cogs, and then applied some teflon lube. That seemed to solve all the problem. My derailleur hanger is actually cross threaded. When I first noticed it, the derailleur was hanging in there loosely. Even then, it shifted just as well. I used a clam to make it tight.
3. All the 4 flats I got last year were in the rear and happened when it was raining. With rain dropping, wind blowing, cars passing by, plus cold fingers and anxiety, it was hard find the cut to patch. So, I think changing tube is the best option to get going. If I do get an IGH, I'd practice many times to get it done in a few minutes.

katsrevenge

That thread is barely useful. It's mostly people who don't have one or have never even seen one chipping in on the BSO status of the bikes. Lots of those threads on the Windsor bikes too. Had to look really hard to find an actual owner thread before I bought mine.

Someone has to actually own these bikes. Many I'll find something off in blog land. It's the frame I'm most interested in. Planned to switch wheels and other bits around as time went by.

Hell, just look at the frames and such. I don't see many differences.

https://www.amazon.com/PUBLIC-Bikes-W...7694297&sr=1-1
VS
Black Dutch Style 1-Speed City Bike ? $249 | Critical Cycles

This one does have the nicer frame. But the other two? I'd think they could be made in the same factory.

https://www.amazon.com/Papillionaire-.../dp/B00A9SKE86


1. Oh, switching at the light is nice. I like switching on the go too. Just let up on the peddle, click to gear and BOOM. Going in new gear. No crunching crunk noise as the chain wibbles around.
2. Mine get scrubbed when they start leaving black gunk on the gears. Degreaser (Mr Amazing/Awesome from the dollar store) to make them not gritty, then WD40 to push out the water then lube. I can't stand a squeaky chain.
3. Ugh, that sucks. If it helps, decoupling and recoupling the IGH takes just a second.

dynaryder

Depends on the hub. As with derailleurs,you will have to adjust the shifter cable as it beds in,but after that it depends on the quality of the hub. I didn't have any issues with my i-Motion 9,but I've read numerous complaints from folks who did. katsrevenge mentioned noise in her derailleur drivetrain;my i-Motions(3 and 9) are much noisier than any of my der bikes(although it doesn't bother me,many folks have complained). I've read complaints from folks who have had trouble keeping their SA 5 and 8spd hubs adjusted properly,and the Alfine 11's had some early teething pains.

Again,depends on the hub. Just about all need a 15mm wrench to undo the bolts,after that,pulling the wheel depends on the type of dropouts the frame has and if there are a fender/rack getting in the way. Then there's the shift cable attachment. My Brommie's SA is simple;spin one end of the shift linkage off the bike,spin the other out of the hub,NBD. My i-3 has a V brake style bullet connector,my old i-9 had a sleeve over a dovetail connection. Current Nexus 3's have a box on the side of the hub that is undone with a 3mm hex. Other Nexus and Alfines depend on the year;a couple of my older ones were real bears.

Could be. Shifting the front rings takes more time because of the big(10+t) jumps. Rear depends;performance cassettes have tighter spacing,Mega-Range have a big jump between the last two gears. Quality parts adjusted properly should shift snickety-snick;low end,worn,and miss-adjusted parts can be horrendous.

Please note: I'm not trying to talk you out of getting an IGH if that's what you want,I'm just saying when you say things like they shift faster than derailleurs it doesn't sync with my experiences. From what you're saying,it sounds like your bike needs a going-over,and/or has worn parts.

Sullalto

N+1, having a spare is great. I'd get something different than what you have though. For variety.

I miss my IGH.

SJX426 

Yes. Just bought a Pinarello Montello for under $500 8spd Dura Ace. Not the best for commuting but could easily be done with a back pack. It would be like driving a Ferrari from home to work over the same distance.