Originally Posted by
msweig
So in my looking for a new bike I've run into some curiosity on how feasible it would be to swap the IGH on a bike. I'm tempted to get a Priority Bikes Classic Plus Gotham, which has a Shimano Nexus 3 speed IGH, but I'm not sure if that will be enough gears, and if I'll get annoyed with it down the road. How viable is it to swap that hub out with a Nexus 7 or 8 or Alfine 8 down the road if I want? I realize this would consist of taking the old hub off and dropping the new one in (with needing to redo all the spokes), but is this viable? I have no idea if there would be frame differences, or other things I need to consider.
Anything is possible.
Test ride a 3 speed - any 3 speed - before you buy to see if you’re comfortable with this set up.
A Nexus 7 or 8, or an Alfine 8 is going to cost $200 or more. Then there will be the cost of either rebuilding the old wheel or of mounting it on a new wheel. Then there will be the additional cost of new shifters to match the 7 or 8 speeds. By the time you get finished, you’ll be paying more money than if you simply bought a bike with more gears in the first place.
I own a Priority Glide, which sells for $799 and is currently being offered with a $50 discount. I couldn't be more pleased. If you are prepared to spend the extra money for an upgrade to the Classic Plus Gotham, for less than $250 more, you can be set with a Nuvinci hub from the start.
Bike shops will tell you that Nuvinci hubs are difficult to deal with. And they can be for small bike shops. But Priority Bicycles is one of Nuvinci’s biggest customers in the U.S. They get quick service from Nuvinci, whose American HQ are in Texas. These hubs are popular in Europe and are slowly gaining acceptance here. The staff at Priority are great to deal with and respond quickly to questions by e-mail. If you have concerns, contact them with your questions before you buy. They also have a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee with a 30-day return policy. I suggest that you discuss that policy in advance so that you have assurances up front. (I live close enough to NYC that I was able to test ride one at their showroom before I purchased.)
As far as build quality is concerned, it’s good enough for any abuse that I’ll subject it too. You have to decide that for yourself. I find that avid bikers on sites like this, who might spend thousands of dollars on a bike, can have very high standards for a bike build. But not everyone needs the build quality of a mountain bike bike that is going to take the pounding of off roading or of a road bike that is going to be ridden 50 miles a day. Perhaps the best way to get an opinion is to contact Wheel Fun Rentals (wheelfunrentals.com), a bicycle tour company in San Francisco who rents the Priority Glide out every day to tourists. Their bikes probably accumulate more miles and take more abuse than a bike ridden by anyone who posts here. You can see their comments on their website, and can contact them directly about their experience with the Glides.
Good luck with your purchase. There are a lot of good choices out there . . . which only makes things more confusing. LOL.