Originally Posted by
harshbarj
I have one and regret the purchase. The hub is likely well under 70% efficient. It feels like trying to pedal in tar. I converted a nexus 3 speed and will be going back. With the nexus I could pop my front wheel off the ground when taking off from a stop, not so with the Nuvinci. I also have to take many rests on the larger hills here when I did not need to on my nexus. I have about 150 miles on the Nuvinci and don't see putting many more, it's just that bad.
Now on flat ground the hub works as it should and is easy to shift.
I HIGHLY suggest trying one out first. At this point I feel robbed of $500.
$500? Mine was $325.
Interesting to hear your observations - certainly not my experience with it thus far. I spin at 80-110 rpm, and do not notice any drag, though I've heard that you can feel drag at lower rpms. Again, I don't notice it, but I rarely drop below 80.
That said, if my bike were only to be designated for pavement/gravel riding, I'd personally go for the Alfine 11 (I had actually purchased one, but reconsidered after reading about people blowing the 1st and 2nd ratios offroad). The Nexus/Alfine 8 is a really nice hub, too, but the 5-6 jump is a deal killer for me, after having spent many miles in headwinds between the two gears.