Originally Posted by
BrocLuno
snip
Will an IGH fit in a 135mm drop-out width? Do IGH's need a torque arm like the old 3-speed hubs did?
Don't know about the width; you can look that up. As to torque arms, they're still around, but only on hubs with an internal brake. IHGs without internal brakes use non-turn washers.
I think If I were building a prototype, I'd see if I could get a planetary geared BB to drive the front pulley. 3-speeds might be enough for much of commuting, except hilly routes like Seattle or SF ...
3-speed BBs are available; Efneo makes one. Its gears aren't in the BB, though, they're in a pancake housing attached to the chainring. I can't recommend 3-speed anything for hills; by the time you get it geared down enough to climb, you have no cruising gear.
And we're drifting off topic.