Seijun

I recently got the crazy idea to turn my Smoke 24 speed into an internal gear hub 8 speed. I use this bike for commuting and getting groceries in a flat area. I have had the bike for 4 years and in all that time I have only used the middle gear in the front, and the 5th through 7th place gears in the back. I have been itching to do something that would dump all the gears I never use, and look sleeker/less cluttered. However, I know very little about bikes, other than how to ride them, so I don't know if an IGH conversion would be very doable on this bike, what it would involve or what it would cost.

So far I am thinking I would like to get a Shimano SG-8R36. It seems like the best option under $200. I will need a new shifter, and I assume a shorter chain. Also, as I understand it, I will need a way to tension the chain.. a rear tensioner or perhaps an eccentric bottom bracket? A rear tensioner is 1/3 the price of an EBB but I dont think I could use a full chain guard with it, correct?

Would I need a new wheel as well? Or can my current wheel be rebuilt to take the hub.

Any other parts I am missing?

dynaryder

The number of spokes in your current rim will determine if you can use it for the IGH or if you'll need a new one. You'll also want to check your frame's rear spacing and make sure the IGH's is the same. EBB's require a special oversized BB shell,so you can't just add it to a standard frame. You can either buy a tensioner,or just reuse your rear derailleur with the limit screws reset. You can run a chain guard,but not a fully enclosed chain.

FYI,for a whole lot less,you could just turn the bike into a 1x. Remove the front derailleur and shifter,replace two of the front rings with a guard and chain watcher. Much cheaper,lighter,and you won't need to carry a 15mm to remove the rear wheel.

Seijun

Thanks. The Kona has 135mm rear spacing and 36 spokes. If I am reading the specs correctly, the nexus hub has 36 holes and is 132mm.

My original plan was to do as you said, removing two of the front gears. I really love the look of IGH systems, though, and the ability to shift at a standstill is very appealing.

Seijun

Another silly question. Does the nexus 8 include a cog for the front wheel or is that something I buy separately.

SHOFINE

You may be better off buying a built wheel unless you want it on that wheel. This has all the parts with a 22t cog. Amazon.com : Sta-Tru 700X35 Nexus 8-Speed Wheel, Stw Dw Rim Black : Bike Wheels : Sports & Outdoors

I had someone build my 11 speed Alfine into the factory wheel on my Sawyer. I just recently converted my 82 Schwinn World Sport with the Nexus 8 speed. Got the wheel off my wife's Schwinn Sporterra she never rode. I just installed the 8 spd Alfine trigger shifter.

Bill Kapaun

Chances are you have one of those gawd awful 11-32 cassettes.
You may be much better off to simply change it to something like a 12-23/25.
Lots of more useful, closer spaced gears in the range you use.

Shimano HG-50-8-Speed Cassette

I think you'll fing the IG hub will have the same problem you currently have. Gears on either end of the range that you don't use.
Keeping your triple with a more useful cassette will give you what you want + you'll have other gear RANGES available if needed.

dynaryder

Looked at Shimano's site,they have a weird way of expressing their specs between OLD and axle length. That hub will be fine,you'll be adding anti-turn washers anyway.

I think the Nexus hubs come with a cog,but that's it. All other parts have to be purchased on their own.

Must be nice to live somewhere flat. I regularly used all but the lowest gear of my 48/36/26 x 11-34 on my old commute. Only used the 26/34 like twice,when I picked up a couple 12packs on the way home,but glad it was there.

Delmarva

+1. Or the 13-26.