Originally Posted by thdave
A couple of counterpoints to a very nice review...
My biggest disagreement is with the comment that derailers are "very low maintenance." I've ridden a derailer bike for 25 years and it needs regular adjustments every couple of weeks. Cables must be cleaned often. The chain would fall off every once in a while, too. That never happens on my Nexus.
I never have to look down when I shift to see if the chain "caught" when shifting. I always do on my derailer bike.
Regardless, I love my internal gear hub.
I can see why you would love the internal gear hub because you don't know how to properly operate a regular derailer system! I only adjust mine when they they need it and that about once a year-maybe, and I ride an average of 5,000 miles a year! And I never have to: "see if the chain "caught" when shifting", and I have both friction and index shifters on my bikes; thats just a plain and simple problem of not knowing how to shift. The derailer system, especially the older friction units are extremily reliable and trouble free and easy to repair even on the road should a problem occur-try that with a internal gear hub!!