MIN 

It's got the simplicity of a singlespeed with the convenience of gears. Inputs on application and models are appreciated. Pros and cons?

Link: Sheldon Brown internal gear resource.

Seggybop

I'm currently using a Sturmey Archer 3spd hub, and I have my bike set up like an old-style 3spd. It seems pretty optimal. The only advantages it lacks as compared to singlespeed are the need for a shifter/cable and some minimal friction loss, which is more than compensated for by the lack of worry for hills.

I also have a 2 speed fixed gear hub, but I haven't used it in a while.

ryanday

You probably won't get much real info here, as that is not singlespeed OR fixed gear.

MIN 

Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't the Sturmey Archer a coaster brake setup?

keraba

I have a bike that I switch between fixed gear and 3-speed (Shimano Nexus). I love it. Let's me ride easier with the 3x9 crowd.

I know the traditional saying in this forum is, "You only need one." but I tell them, "You only need 3 - uphill, downhill and flat." and they still think I'm crazy...until I beat them up the last hill.

I don't see a shift cable on that hub. Am I missing it ?

MIN 

It's an internal 8-speed hub using a Sram gift shift. If the shifting mechanism were prettier, it would be a real winner.

mykrrrr

To make it nicer looking IMO, one could:

A) Find a Shimano Deore XT 7 spd thumbshifter since there's an extra click in them @ the end...I guess it's more like just space to hit that 8th gear.

B) Get an 8 spd bar end shifter and do the Paul's conversion on it.

I'd totally rock something like that.

blickblocks

I think you're looking for the BFMSUFG.

Cool San Jose though. Needs toeclips.

kyselad

I don't think it's possible to use a shifter that isn't designed for the internal hub. Aren't Deore components all for derailleurs?

fix:

its an ss (or something like that) with two brakes, toeclips are pretty optional

MIN 

Absolutely. There is nothing to differentiate this from a 7 RD geared bike. Except for less maintenance.

Igneous Faction

"Sturmey-Archer" which is now a Taiwanese company makes all kinds of internally geared hubs of varying quality. From simple $5.00 coasters to 8-speed internally geared hubs.

Also, I want a Rohloff.

bonechilling

I think Sheldon's San Jose there is probably the perfect modern "city" bike. I considered doing something similar with my IRO frame and I might still, if I can find a Nexus hub for cheap enough on eBay.

TreeUnit

I have a bike with a Shimano Nexus 7 Speed w/ coaster.

Advantages:
+Looks cool
+Gears are sealed up away from the elements
+multiple speeds

Disadvantages:
+Heavy. Compared to my fixie, my "nexie" is super heavy. I get flats frequently. In the year I've had it, I've gotten at least a dozen flats on my rear tire, but not a single one on my front tire, which leads me to believe that the weight of the hub causes more flats
+expensive - $130, not counting the spokes I needed to fit it onto my wheel
+not trendy

also, although the hub looks simple in the pic, there is acctually a cable running up to it which is hidden behind the chainstay.
verdict- Given the choice again, I'd go with a cassette and derailleur

zip22

i'm almost certain the weight of the hub has nothing to do with this.

stewardmike03

I have to agree that internal hubs, while looking more simple, are certainly not. Just cleaner looking. I personally despise rebuilding them.

yellowjeep

The nexus 8sp only works with a nexus 8sp shifter, hence the goofy set up.

radical_edward

Shimano Alfine is the Dura-Ace of their internal gear line.

8 speed, (nexus compatible) trigger shifter, and hub with unobtrusive centre lock disc mount.

Also available in black.

Only available in Europe and Japan at the moment.

While the Nexus kit technically belongs in the commuting forum, a lot of the technical setup crosses over, and I think that the performance oriented features of kit like Rohloff and Alfine will go above the heads of the inhabitants of Fredville. There is discussion of single speeds in the Mountain forum, so a bit of internal hub action is not unwelcome here. Cycling is a continuum, not a series of ghettos.

wroomwroomoops

No, it does NOT have the simplicity of a singlespeed: you get to think about shifting gears. In fact, it has absolutely nothing in common with a singlespeed, where you get to mash a bit uphill, but never think about gears: if you want to go faster, you just pedal faster, that's it.

That said: yes, I do have a gear hub bike, but don't use it, and today, in fact, I'll be selling it. I have a Nexus 8 with Nexave rollerbrakes on it. I can only say prizes about this setup. Very sturdy, durable, simple to maintain. As long as you remember that you DON'T need to remove both the shifting cable AND the brake cable, when changing tires. And, the rollerbrake is just fantastic, works the same in all weather conditions, no pads to replace, no rims to clean... If there was one thing from this bike I'd want to keep (if that was possible), it would be the rollerbrake.

I also cycled on a SRAM S7 with coaster brake. Very nice, too, but the bulging clickbox, prone to being hit and smashed, as well as the plastic indexing thingy (you know, that red plastic thingy that goes into the clickbox) that is way, waaaayyyy too sensitive and easily breaks.

The SRAM S7 and the Shimano Nexus 8 have about the same ratio of gears: about 300%.

wroomwroomoops

My calculations show that a cassette + derailleur + V/canti brakes = difference of weight between Nexus 7 and normal freehub. In other words: no difference in weight on the rear wheel.

Besides, even if there actually was any difference, I don't know why you got all those flats in the rear wheel, but thinking it's because of 1.5 Kg of difference is completely braindead. On the Nexus 8 bike I'm selling today, I had the exact same number of flats on the front and rear wheels. Besides, according to your logic, if I wore a backpack that's 1.5 Kg heavy, I'd be guaranteed a flat in the rear wheel in two weeks. Too much bull**** in that "heavy" statement of yours.

radical_edward

Sheldon has the dope on the Sturmey Archer 3 speed FIXED hub.

As he mentions, there is a rumour that a new version is in the works.

roughrider504

I used a 1971 Sturmey AW for my new project. Always been a fan of Sturmeys so the choice was easy. Cheap to get parts for and easy to maintain. You have to keep it adjusted so it don't slip out of gear, normally in second, but that is the only flaw. This problem is only with the old hubs.

dijos

I don't, but I want to.

MIN 

What is the rebuild service interval on internal hubs?

fatbat

I built myself a 3-speed coaster rear wheel for my cruiser- worked great until the spokes started snapping off at the spoke head. Apparently, the flanges on those hubs are thinner than on modern hubs, and you need to add spoke washers to prevent snappage.

It's in a box, waiting for me to rebuild it.

I'm considering building it up for my fixed gear, to use for some light touring.