Originally Posted by
elihu23
I haven't ridden a 3-speed in many years--since I was thirteen, which was a long time ago. Meanwhile, I find that daily bike commuting can take a toll on the body. I've been looking at some of these 3-speeds on the road and thinking, "Now that's riding in style!" From fenders and chain guards to a handlebar that looks ergonomically friendly and offers a more upright seating posture. My question is this, how much slower are these things--especially on hills, and am I better off putting a different handlebar on an ATB with smooth tires?
Alot depends on the length and terrain of your commute. All my commuter bikes ended up as 1x7, 8 or 9 using the biggest chainring up front. Riding urban w/a 20 mi rt commute I used a 1x7 Fuji mtb w/Schalbe Marathon Plus 26x1.75 tires. So, I'd recommend smooth tires for on road commuting. They, also cushion the body a bit more than skinnier 'road tires' as urban roads are by and large more rough than rural ones. IGH hubs are heavier than derailieur systems, but require less maintenance. W/a rural commute of 40 mi r/t I used a cyclocross w/drop bars for a more aero ride. 700x28mm SMP tires...not a big fan of flats. Btw, modern IGH systems are much more user friendly than the old SA or Shimano of decades past. At least, some of my cyclist friends who own them have shared this w/me.
As to your question of speed on climbs that depends on your level of conditioning and choice of gearing options. You may want to go w/ 5, 7 or 8 speed IGH istead of the limited options of 3. It's best to talk w/someone at your lbs who probably knows the terrain and can advise you on tailoring your ride to your specific needs. Anyway, good luck on your research and hope you find the optimal ride.