It's funny how perceptions change. Back in the 60's when I got my first bike, the 3 speed Sturmey Archer IGH was seen (in England) as a device for the granny bikes that mums took shopping. More often than not they weren't working, stuck forlornly in one gear, the index chain hanging out of the end, and with a broken trigger or twist-grip shift. They had thus a reputation for unreliability way beyond the actualiti�. Had they been maintained, they would probably have not died.

As a consequence, even twist-grip shifters were tarred with the non-sporting unreliable 'shopping' image of Sturmey-Archer, but I prefer twisters for fast shifts on rear mechs - especially on folders where they don't interfere with the fold.

I understand the convenience of IGH bikes, and the desire for a lack of deraill�ur adjustment, but not the problem of replacing an IGH should it die, the extra weight (which probably isn't much) nor the extra cost. Belt drive is still a dream for most of us.

Of course, I'm a dinosaur now by any standards, but I can't let go of the erronous 'shopping bike' image of anything with an IGH, cmpared to the 'Tour de France' Image of a snappy deraill�ur shift. I've never had an issue with a dangling cog-swapper, Dahon or otherwise, probably why I prefer them, but plenty of people have. If they break, they can be replaced or upgraded very cheaply, and they can usually be adjusted in a minute or two. Unless they are bent or corroded.

Of course, now we can choose either on our folders, (also once considered 'granny bikes') and the recent developments in gizmos like the Alfine, and electronic shifting (Shimano Di2) make all of this irrelevant, other than the cost.

The other work of Satan in the 60's was the hub mounted or rim mounted dynamo. More weight, more drag, more hassle.

Now, all of these things are seen as upmarket accesories.