Originally Posted by Dahon.Steve
(details about Rohloff's stated relative efficiency deleted)
I find this hard to believe. Nexus made similar claims about their 7 speed hub and I believed it hook, line and sinker. They claim the new Nexus 8 is even more efficient but I doupt this is a fact. I have ridden planetary gear bikes from Sturmey Archer, Sram and Shimano and ALL suffer from friction losses. There is no oil bath out there that will eliminate friction completely. A hub with many gears by default generates more friction than one with less gears because there are more moving parts.
You have a very complicated way to say that you actually have no data or first-hand experiences to support your doubts about Rohloff's claims.
Originally Posted by Dahon.Steve
Hey... I like the Rohloff. If I were rich, I'd buy one tomorrow. Lets be honest. It's not the greatest thing in the world. Keep the 9 speed folks.
I do not understand. You "like the Rohloff" and yet you spend several posts bashing it, expressing your subjective concerns about various issues, most of which have already been discussed elsewhere in the Forums. Based on these you are even ready to say everyone should give it a pass. And you have
not even tried the thing once, fer crying out loud!
Let's be honest: if you're interested in it, take a look at these Forums and other sources as well, talk to owners, try to get to test ride one if possible. If you're not happy, THEN keep the 9 speed (or whatever) folks. But don't forget it just because Steve (and I) don't have it. Trust me, what does not work for us may well work for you.
--J