Originally Posted by
PaulRivers
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It's mostly that I find a lack of benefits with an IGH + chain. As I said, I find maintenance stuff highly, highly overated since most of the maintenance is with the chain. Maybe the chain last longer if you put on the right chain - but is it an overall savings? The other stuff seems like a bunch of tradeoffs to me.
- Can shift while stopped, but shifting time is unpredictable when shifting under load. My Alfine will shift under load, but it suddenly takes longer. This is not a problem with my derailler bikes. When you combine a stoplight + igh + hill right after the light, it can be pretty annoying.
- Both systems need adjustments in the first 100-200 miles because the cables stretch. In my experience with decent components (Shimano Sora and Tiagra), neither develops any serious shifting issues after that.
I don't know - for Minnesota winter riding, if you got a belt drive, I think it would probably be worth it. But for San Diego I don't think, in my opinion, that it's worth the extra hassle and cost.
P.S. Adjusting the derailler in the back is a matter of turning a little knob on the back of the derailler to increase or decrease tension. Doesn't require special tools or anything.
Great. After I'm halfway through my IGH conversion purchases you go and post this.
My derailleurs don't come through the winter very well and always require a really thorough cleaning in the spring. I also have periodic shifting problems that I know is partly due to cable freezing. I suppose an IGH doesn't necessarily cure that but I'm really hoping for fewer shifting issues and less cleaning with the IGH next winter.
A belt drive would be awesome. Maybe someday, but for now I am looking forward to being able to use my cache of KMC "Rust Buster" chains again. You can't get them for 8 speed or higher, - at least not in the U.S. as far as I can tell, but they do stay cleaner looking. They don't necessarily last any longer.
I have very limited experience with modern IGHes. The 3 speed Nexus Hubs on the local bike-share bikes definitely don't shift on a dime. I'm hoping for better with the Red Band.
As far as the OP goes I agree with you. If this was San Diego I wouldn't even be considering an IGH. I took my road bike out for the first time since mid November (it's been a loooooong winter). The shifting was great. No adjustment required after months of riding followed by several months of just sitting. It's not like I baby that bike.
IGHes do have a loyal following though and part of the reason I'm getting one is curiosity. I'm going to weigh the bike before and after to figure out how much of a penalty there is after you get rid of the derailleurs and extra chainrings. I'm also going to do some tests with the computer and HRM to see if there's any real speed difference. It's not the bike I take when I want to go fast anyway, but like I said, I'm curious.