Originally Posted by
dabac
IMO 3-speeds aren't hugely useful, the steps between the gears are too big. They're more like having having three SS bikes all rolled into one rather than an actually geared bike.
I've used a Sachs/SRAM 5-speed IGH that I was rather happy with. 5 or above seems like a good choice to me.
On anything recent, durability isn't much of an issue. With a very minor maintenance effort, they'll go for years. IMO, about the only way of thrashing them while JRA is if you insist on riding them out of adjustment.
interesting take on 3 speeds
but i disagree
maybe they arent ideal for most people touring fully loaded through the alps
but over a century of being used for riding through every continent
plus a century of incremental improvements throughout europe and asia
also disagree with you
the only flaw i found when i used an old sa 3 speed
was the unexpected freewheeling neutral between gears
when the shift cable isnt perfectly adjusted
also
i have a shimano alfine 8
and it kicks arse