Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Bicycle Mechanics
Reload this Page >

Internal gear hub recommendations

Search
Notices
Bicycle Mechanics Broken bottom bracket? Tacoed wheel? If you're having problems with your bicycle, or just need help fixing a flat, drop in here for the latest on bicycle mechanics & bicycle maintenance.

Internal gear hub recommendations

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10-31-16 | 12:08 PM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Internal gear hub recommendations

I just bought a new All-City Nature Boy frameset for $260. It looks really nice. It's a fixed gear frame, and I thought I might get an internal gear hub for it for hills, commuting, and maybe even light touring. I would like a high gear ratio, high reliability, low maintenance, with fairly low cost. What would be a good hub to get for this type of set up?
stephm is offline  
Reply
Old 10-31-16 | 12:44 PM
  #2  
nfmisso's Avatar
Nigel
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,991
Likes: 7
From: San Jose, CA

Bikes: 1980s and 1990s steel: CyclePro, Nishiki, Schwinn, SR, Trek........

Define "low cost".

IG Hubs start around $100- and go up quickly.
nfmisso is offline  
Reply
Old 10-31-16 | 01:14 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 109
How many gears do you need? If you want 3 speeds and don't mind used there are millions of Sturmey Archer 3 speeds out there and some even have a coaster which would solve your brake problems with a fixed gear frame. Roger

Last edited by rhenning; 11-01-16 at 12:32 PM.
rhenning is offline  
Reply
Old 10-31-16 | 01:19 PM
  #4  
Banned
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 43,586
Likes: 1,380
From: NW,Oregon Coast

Bikes: 8

You Only Pay for Rohloff once , then after that, it's cheaper in the long run ,

... when you add up all the tooth worn cassettes you will not be replacing.

Its made to replace a whole MTB drivetrain, (135 wide too) thats why so many of them go Touring..



but S-A is good too .. You dont say how wide those dropouts are apart. Measure that perhaps?


https://www.sturmey-archer.com/en/products/rear-hubs




'/,

Last edited by fietsbob; 10-31-16 at 01:24 PM.
fietsbob is offline  
Reply
Old 10-31-16 | 02:59 PM
  #5  
noglider's Avatar
aka Tom Reingold
Titanium Club Membership
15 Anniversary
Community Builder
Community Influencer
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,338
Likes: 6,637
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA

Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem

Read this.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog

“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author

Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
noglider is offline  
Reply
Old 11-01-16 | 07:36 AM
  #6  
Grand Bois's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 17,392
Likes: 40
From: Pinole, CA, USA
Sturmey Archer 3sp Freewheel Rear Hub - Outside Outfitters
Grand Bois is offline  
Reply
Old 11-01-16 | 10:30 AM
  #7  
Moe Zhoost's Avatar
Half way there
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 2,967
Likes: 895
From: North Carolina

Bikes: Many, and the list changes frequently

You may want to consider the Sturmey Archer S2. It is a 2 speed that is shifted by backward rotation of your crank. I have on on a bike that previously was a single speed. What you get, depending on how you set it up) is either a normal gear with a high for down hills or a normal gear with a low for hill. The advantage is that it requires no cables. The downside is that it takes a while to get used to the shift angle and it's very easy to find yourself in the wrong gear at a stop (especially if you have opted for a normal - high setup). You kind of learn to avoid though. A 3 speed hub is not that much heavier and with the additional gear and cable shifting, is perhaps a more flexible option. I do like the simplicity of the 2 speed, though.
Moe Zhoost is offline  
Reply
Old 11-01-16 | 01:37 PM
  #8  
dbg's Avatar
dbg
Si Senior
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 11
From: Naperville, Illinois

Bikes: Too Numerous (not)

I recommend against IGH (flames >> /dev/null (old timey reference)) if light touring is a use case. I have used several IGHs (Shimano 7's and 8's) in touring builds and never liked any of the experiences. I've been commuting on IGHs for 12 years and love it, but not for light touring (heavier weight, range limited, maintenance issues potential, etc). Just my experience.
dbg is offline  
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
elfmachine
General Cycling Discussion
16
01-17-18 04:14 PM
mornview
Bicycle Mechanics
18
09-10-16 09:29 AM
tbplayer59
Bicycle Mechanics
1
07-09-15 05:29 AM
Monster Pete
Bicycle Mechanics
20
10-05-11 03:04 PM
trike_guy
Bicycle Mechanics
3
07-16-11 08:40 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.