Old 03-24-11 | 12:24 PM
  #34  
Don in Austin
Don from Austin Texas
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,211
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From: Austin, Texas

Bikes: Schwinn S25 "department store crap" FS MTB, home-made CF 26" hybrid, CF road bike with straight bar, various wierd frankenbikes

Originally Posted by Mr IGH
I have to admit I haven't bought one yet because I'm waiting to see how well it works. The fact remains no IGH hub will last when it's shifted under load and OP was doing just that.
OK...Well here we have a difference of opinion between you and Shimano's tech support. I just got off the phone with Victor who said unequivocally the hub is made to be shifted "UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE." Indeed, if that were not the case, it would have little or no advantage over derailleur systems except for off-road circumstances where there is a problem with mud packing into cables, etc.

In fact as I remember, (but cannot instantly quote) the ability to be shifted under load is touted in many of the positive reviews for the hub. The second hub had problems shifting FROM DAY ONE riding no more than 5-6 mph in the level parking lot of my shop. This is with a seated rider who is 65 years old and moderately strong -- hardly an abusive test.

When I was a kid I always shifted my Sturmey Archer 3 speed hubs under load and never broke one, so it is hard for me to believe that this practice makes failure inevitable for all IGH hubs.

Don in Austin

Originally Posted by Mr IGH
Agreed, I meant in a generic sense. Perhaps the Alfine 11 is a flaming wreck, we'll see. There are many people riding this hub with no issues like OP. As for SA, let's try to forget the 7 speed and early 8 speed and look at their newer products.
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