Originally Posted by
Wilfred Laurier
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
OK, fine. Let me rephrase that:
I haven't found 3-speeds particularly useful or fun to ride from the moment I had bikes with more gears available.
But sure, if the choice stood between a single-speed and a 3-speed, then even I would prefer a 3-speed.
And others may indeed have other preferences, to which they are entirely entitled.
Me, given a choice - as the OP has - wouldn't look below 5-speeds when buying an IGH wheel/hub.
A reference to earlier popularity, or popularity on different markets doesn't really fly.
That makes a good cause for their advantages compared to what else was available Then and There.
But using that as an argument that they are still great compared to what's available Here and Now is stretching it quite a bit.
Different circumstances favors different solutions, that's all.