Originally Posted by
FBinNY
FWIW- I own both derailleur and IGH, along with fixed wheel bikes (including a 2s fixed) and my choice depends on the application. What I'm still looking for is narrower 3s (or 5s) IGH suited to gently rolling (and varying wind) riding for utility and commuting. Sadly the IGH makers still don't realize (or feel they cannot market) that closer gearing steps are more important to serious riders than wider range. If I were to design a hub it would be a 5s single stage with the 3 middle ratios as closely stepped as practical, and the two outer steps being wider. (anyone out there listening?)
What is a serious rider? Is someone who rides a mile each way to the grocery every day for decades a serious rider? Someone who rides an upright IGH 13 miles each way to work three or four days per week? Only MAMILs? We talk a lot about 'serious cyclists' and 'commuters' and even 'serious commuters' but the average grandma in The Netherlands blows all these serious riders and commuters out of the water when it comes to bicycling experience, lifetime miles, miles in inclement weather, and ability to carry a bunch of stuff, including their morning cappuccino in their right hand, from store to store and back to home. She looks at all of the special clothes and gobs of gook hanging off a bike designed for racing and shakes her head.
There may be some serious riders who want a close narrow range but the other 99% of the population is happy with what's already there and if anything want wider range.
BTW, if fine tuning is your thing take a look at the N360. I love mine though I'm fairly sure it comes with a bit more than 2% loss of efficiency.