Originally Posted by BroMax
Can an internal handle the same load as a der setup? I don't understand how they work but it seems like there can't be much heavy duty hardware in such a small package. I'm shopping now and my semi-finalists include both types of gearing.
Planetary gears are plenty tough. I know what's in there, and though I have questions about them, none are about durability. Go to a junkyard and find any 50-year-old 3-speed. I bet the gears work just fine, once relubed.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/internal-gears.html
"Internal gear hubs are more reliable than derailer systems, and require much less maintenance."