Originally Posted by I-Like-To-Bike
A very good point. It should be noted that the legendary "long distance" commuter (for argument sakes let's say over 10 miles) with the need for long distance specialized equipment is an extremely small slice of the commuter cycling (or any cycling) population. In the US or anywhere else. Yes enthusiasts do it, I know, I am one of them (24 miles R/T daily) but few members of the public are ever going to consider cycling as a practical means to commute "long distances". Either an auto, car pool, public transportation or moving job or residence locations are far more likely scenarios. And if extreme hills must be negotiated, again, relatively few people will consider the bicycle (no matter how it is equipped) as anything but the last choice in commuting mode.
IMO, the Cycling commuter population (to include youth and students and low income "invisible cyclists") is mostly made up of people who are not concerned with daily cycling any distance that they would consider "long".
The reason for the new thread was to ask people who had used the Nexus over say 20 miles a day all weather, all year would it be up to it. The answer seems to be NO.
As regards looking at chains while you change gear - I would have to say that is rubbish, I have a Deore setup on my bike and it is now 4 years old, almost 15k miles done and shifters and derailleur work like new, no problems.
I was and am still interested in a hub gear bike if I can be told that it is up to the kind of use I make of the bike. I agree I am not typical of the mileage etc. being slightly above average but that is what I asked of a hub gear.