Originally Posted by
chasm54
I can understand your preference for sti but you're mistaken about reliability. SA 3 and 4 speed hubs have been astonishingly reliable for a long time. The Rohloff is probably more durable than the Shimano hubs, as well as having 14 speeds - but you'd expect that with the price differential.
I've got a Rohloff on a flat-bar heavy-duty tourer. It's an excellent bit of kit and seems absolutely bulletproof.
I agree the Rohloff has a good reputation for reliability but it doesn't work with road shifters. I've read a reasonable number of reports of poor reliability with Shimano's hubs for anything other than easy beach strolls. The 3 and 5 speed hubs may be reliable but I need/want more gears. I ride 1x10 now for commuting and wouldn't really want to go with fewer gears.
Maybe Rohloff will add an electronic shift one day.