Originally Posted by
Winfried
How good is that IGH, compared to a Shimano?
I don't own a Shimano Nexus 8 (I do own a bike fitted with a Shimano Nexus 7). I've ridden a bike fitted with the Sturmey-Archer 8 since 2009. Great hub, never misses a shift, nice spread of gears, choice of shifters, spares available, although if you absolutely must shift under pedal pressure, you and the XRF8W will have a short and unhappy relationship.
Edit: BTW, what does the (W) mean in "X-RF8(W)"?
That's the newer (2009- ) design Sturmey 8, a wider range (W) and more robust design than the original British designed 8 (2002-2008, non-W). In the past couple of years, Sturmey began to drop the 'W' on the newer model's designation.