I'm thinking about converting one of my derailleur hybrids to an IGH bike this winter. Its a 2008 Cannondale Quick 4 hybrid, it is used for commuter/fun/pull-kids duties. I have some general questions.

1. Shifters. I can't stand the "backwards" (by my lights) orientation of Shimano Alfine/Nexus shifters. This applies to both the grips and triggers. This is a big enough deal I will avoid Shimano if this can't be remedied. Can it be remedied? I'm not yet married to grip or trigger, but I am married to directionality.

2. Sturmey Archer has the right direction shifter. I'm attracted to their 5 speed, but reviews say they're really noisey/ratchety. I have never seen one. Thoughts?

3. What do you think of that S-A 8 speed? It has weird ratios where first gear is 1:1; consequently you end up with a very small front chain ring to get a reasonable gear-inches range. Thoughts on that?

4. Technical question: My current bike is 3-front/8-rear. How does one get the chainline correct during an IGH conversion? I assume its not trial and error, but something like buying a front crank with the correct chainline. Is that correct? Is there wiggle room for fine tuning the chainline?

5. I have analyzed my actual biking habits, and it seems I fall predominantly in the 32(ish) to 90(ish) gear inch range. That's a 280% spread, and several IGH's seem capable of satisfying it: Shimano 7, Shimano 8, S-A 5, S-A 8. I dislike the uneven steps of the Shimano 8, which surprisingly bothered me when I tested one. Maybe I could live with it. Heck, maybe I could make a 3-speed work. Thoughts?

6. Anything else you want to add.

Thanks.

Bravin Neff