Replacing an internal Gear Wheel....
08-12-09, 01:03 AM
#1
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Replacing an internal Gear Wheel....
Months and months ago, I messed up my Nexus 8 speed hub...bungie cord-steel "S" hook and a popped rear gear. it's been a problem ever since, a drag/braking feeling... Finally ordered a new wheel with an Alfine (higher level Shimano 8 gear hub), laced into a Sun Rim.
I thought the wheel would come with a 20 tooth sprocket and new non-rotating washers. (it did not)
I thought it would be a breeze to change wheels. (it was not)
Like an old boss of mine would say: "there you go think'n again..."
OK, so the wheel arrived nicely packaged, perfectly true and plastic wrapped with two dust protecting rings in a bag, a set of multi-language instructions and a receipt.
If you've never taken off an internal gear hub wheel before, I suggest you read instructions. There is a series of rings and dot-positions you need to know about and how they work together to get the wheel off the bike.
I had to remove my 18 tooth gear from the old wheel. Not an easy task if you've never done it before. There is a lock ring, tight against the gear. A flat head screwdriver is needed to pry the lock ring off, getting it back on the new wheel is difficult, but can be done with patience and sore fingers.
I used brand new cloth velo tape for the rim, dusted my Presta valved tube and put on the 700x38 Nimbus tire. did the usual alignment stuff... adjust... adjust ... brakes... adjust.
When it was all done, the new Alfine hub is a gem. It rolls so nicely, shifts gears without hesitation, looks fantastic and the wheel feels good so far. I wish my bike had come with Alfine to start with.
Just a warning to folks on the forum... Internal Gear Hubs, Nexus & Alfine are more complicated that you might imagine. (At least for people like me who are not bike mechanics) If you have doubts about your ability to deal with gear swapping, you might do best to find a good bike mechanic.
That's all.
I thought the wheel would come with a 20 tooth sprocket and new non-rotating washers. (it did not)
I thought it would be a breeze to change wheels. (it was not)
Like an old boss of mine would say: "there you go think'n again..."
OK, so the wheel arrived nicely packaged, perfectly true and plastic wrapped with two dust protecting rings in a bag, a set of multi-language instructions and a receipt.
If you've never taken off an internal gear hub wheel before, I suggest you read instructions. There is a series of rings and dot-positions you need to know about and how they work together to get the wheel off the bike.
I had to remove my 18 tooth gear from the old wheel. Not an easy task if you've never done it before. There is a lock ring, tight against the gear. A flat head screwdriver is needed to pry the lock ring off, getting it back on the new wheel is difficult, but can be done with patience and sore fingers.
I used brand new cloth velo tape for the rim, dusted my Presta valved tube and put on the 700x38 Nimbus tire. did the usual alignment stuff... adjust... adjust ... brakes... adjust.
When it was all done, the new Alfine hub is a gem. It rolls so nicely, shifts gears without hesitation, looks fantastic and the wheel feels good so far. I wish my bike had come with Alfine to start with.
Just a warning to folks on the forum... Internal Gear Hubs, Nexus & Alfine are more complicated that you might imagine. (At least for people like me who are not bike mechanics) If you have doubts about your ability to deal with gear swapping, you might do best to find a good bike mechanic.
That's all.
08-12-09, 01:25 AM
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Do not scare them, If you make sure you get a flat at least once a mont the next year you can soon do this with one hand stll in your pocket! 
I find them simple and esy to deal with, especially Shimano. Practice, practice..
The result more than pays for what you went trough, simplicity and durabillity.
Now the next thing you do is to buy an axel for the old hub (I think I remember it was suggested that your old hub had a bent axel) andreplace it. You`ll feel great after doing that (and have a spare wheel).
I find them simple and esy to deal with, especially Shimano. Practice, practice..
The result more than pays for what you went trough, simplicity and durabillity.
Now the next thing you do is to buy an axel for the old hub (I think I remember it was suggested that your old hub had a bent axel) andreplace it. You`ll feel great after doing that (and have a spare wheel).
08-12-09, 01:30 AM
#3
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
They are a different beast than the derailer gears so many people are used to but with a little practice and the right tools they are actually pretty easy to set up.
Running high quality puncture resistant tyres can save you a lot of pain and grief and with my old 3 speeds I always run tyre sealant in the tubes and have had tyres go years and thousands upon thousands of km without even losing any significant air pressure.
Running high quality puncture resistant tyres can save you a lot of pain and grief and with my old 3 speeds I always run tyre sealant in the tubes and have had tyres go years and thousands upon thousands of km without even losing any significant air pressure.
08-12-09, 09:45 AM
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interesting. thanks for the insight. I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of a new set of wheels! a Nexus 8spd rear with a shimano dynamo front hub. they are laced to Salsa Delgado rims.
I did have contact harris Cyclery to get the Correct washers and the cassette and cog.
hopefully after a trial assembly them a nice paint job by the spring I will have a very nice Bianchi Columbus MAX OR do anything bike.
I did have contact harris Cyclery to get the Correct washers and the cassette and cog.
hopefully after a trial assembly them a nice paint job by the spring I will have a very nice Bianchi Columbus MAX OR do anything bike.
__________________
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
08-12-09, 01:27 PM
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interesting. thanks for the insight. I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of a new set of wheels! a Nexus 8spd rear with a shimano dynamo front hub. they are laced to Salsa Delgado rims.
I did have contact harris Cyclery to get the Correct washers and the cassette and cog.
hopefully after a trial assembly them a nice paint job by the spring I will have a very nice Bianchi Columbus MAX OR do anything bike.
I did have contact harris Cyclery to get the Correct washers and the cassette and cog.
hopefully after a trial assembly them a nice paint job by the spring I will have a very nice Bianchi Columbus MAX OR do anything bike.
I also have a front dynamo hub. My Nexus messed up only because I damaged it. I'm sold on 8 speed hubs for city commuting. By the way, I contacted Harris about the missing sprocket, washers and such that I mentioned in the start of this thread. They wrote back immediately, to say sorry about the missing parts in my order. They offered to send them right away. I wrote thanks but no thanks since I had already assembled the wheel. They instead gave me a nice little refund to my card... Good Company! (I'll be spending more money with them for parts and accessories in the future anyway.)
-3bikes
08-14-09, 02:43 PM
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My wheels came today WOW are they nice. I think the term 'bullet proof' was invented for these. the cog and cassette went together with ease. I just wish I had the washers so I could mount it.
3bikes I do have two questions for you. what tooth cog are you using and what front chainring or rings? also is your dynamo hub stiff? mine almost 'ticks' like watch hand it seems very tight.
3bikes I do have two questions for you. what tooth cog are you using and what front chainring or rings? also is your dynamo hub stiff? mine almost 'ticks' like watch hand it seems very tight.
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
08-14-09, 03:52 PM
#7
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My wheels came today WOW are they nice. I think the term 'bullet proof' was invented for these. the cog and cassette went together with ease. I just wish I had the washers so I could mount it.
3bikes I do have two questions for you. what tooth cog are you using and what front chainring or rings? also is your dynamo hub stiff? mine almost 'ticks' like watch hand it seems very tight.
3bikes I do have two questions for you. what tooth cog are you using and what front chainring or rings? also is your dynamo hub stiff? mine almost 'ticks' like watch hand it seems very tight.
__________________
Gear Hubs Owned: Rohloff disc brake, SRAM iM9 disc brake, SRAM P5 freewheel, Sachs Torpedo 3 speed freewheel, NuVinci CVT, Shimano Alfine SG S-501, Sturmey Archer S5-2 Alloy. Other: 83 Colnago Super Record, Univega Via De Oro
Visit and join the Yahoo Geared Hub Bikes group for support and links.
https://groups.yahoo.com/group/Geared_hub_bikes/
Gear Hubs Owned: Rohloff disc brake, SRAM iM9 disc brake, SRAM P5 freewheel, Sachs Torpedo 3 speed freewheel, NuVinci CVT, Shimano Alfine SG S-501, Sturmey Archer S5-2 Alloy. Other: 83 Colnago Super Record, Univega Via De Oro
Visit and join the Yahoo Geared Hub Bikes group for support and links.
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08-15-09, 06:42 AM
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thanks tatfiend. I thought that might be the case with the axle. do you run single chain rings? is a 28,38,48 pratcical with this hub? according to Sheldon my lowest gear is 19.6 and highest will be 33.7.
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
08-15-09, 11:59 AM
#9
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Bianchigirll;
It is possible to run multiple front chainrings with an IGH. To do so a dual pulley chain tensioner needs to be fitted such as the Shimano one or a rear derailleur, permanently adjusted to align with the position of the IGH cog, can be used. I run a single ring as the range of the Shimano 8 speed hub is adequate for my riding. My low is about 32 gear inches and high about 100. I am running 48/21 gearing on 700c wheels.
With your front rings you need a chain tensioner that can handle 20 teeth of chain slack.
If I need a wider range I ride the Rohloff hub bike.
It is possible to run multiple front chainrings with an IGH. To do so a dual pulley chain tensioner needs to be fitted such as the Shimano one or a rear derailleur, permanently adjusted to align with the position of the IGH cog, can be used. I run a single ring as the range of the Shimano 8 speed hub is adequate for my riding. My low is about 32 gear inches and high about 100. I am running 48/21 gearing on 700c wheels.
With your front rings you need a chain tensioner that can handle 20 teeth of chain slack.
If I need a wider range I ride the Rohloff hub bike.
__________________
Gear Hubs Owned: Rohloff disc brake, SRAM iM9 disc brake, SRAM P5 freewheel, Sachs Torpedo 3 speed freewheel, NuVinci CVT, Shimano Alfine SG S-501, Sturmey Archer S5-2 Alloy. Other: 83 Colnago Super Record, Univega Via De Oro
Visit and join the Yahoo Geared Hub Bikes group for support and links.
https://groups.yahoo.com/group/Geared_hub_bikes/
Gear Hubs Owned: Rohloff disc brake, SRAM iM9 disc brake, SRAM P5 freewheel, Sachs Torpedo 3 speed freewheel, NuVinci CVT, Shimano Alfine SG S-501, Sturmey Archer S5-2 Alloy. Other: 83 Colnago Super Record, Univega Via De Oro
Visit and join the Yahoo Geared Hub Bikes group for support and links.
https://groups.yahoo.com/group/Geared_hub_bikes/
08-15-09, 02:13 PM
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OH yes I have vertical dropouts so I need a tensioner anyway. I actually think I have a Chorus somewhere that would be great for this project. I may have to put the 21t cog on instead maybe.
you don't have that wonderful 14spd Rohloff hub do you? that is a nice hub but not for a frame I paid 200 for.
isn't Reno flat? why do you need speeds at all? *giggle*
you don't have that wonderful 14spd Rohloff hub do you? that is a nice hub but not for a frame I paid 200 for.
isn't Reno flat? why do you need speeds at all? *giggle*
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
08-15-09, 08:38 PM
#11
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Downtown Reno is flat but the north end of town where the university is gets hillly and it sits close to the base of the Sierras so if you head west you climb, and then climb some more.
__________________
Gear Hubs Owned: Rohloff disc brake, SRAM iM9 disc brake, SRAM P5 freewheel, Sachs Torpedo 3 speed freewheel, NuVinci CVT, Shimano Alfine SG S-501, Sturmey Archer S5-2 Alloy. Other: 83 Colnago Super Record, Univega Via De Oro
Visit and join the Yahoo Geared Hub Bikes group for support and links.
https://groups.yahoo.com/group/Geared_hub_bikes/
Gear Hubs Owned: Rohloff disc brake, SRAM iM9 disc brake, SRAM P5 freewheel, Sachs Torpedo 3 speed freewheel, NuVinci CVT, Shimano Alfine SG S-501, Sturmey Archer S5-2 Alloy. Other: 83 Colnago Super Record, Univega Via De Oro
Visit and join the Yahoo Geared Hub Bikes group for support and links.
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08-19-09, 03:34 PM
#12
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Hello! is anyone still looking at this thread? my shifter came in the mail today!! I really wanted the "rapidfire" style but it will not fit on drop bars. so I got the Jtek barend. the whole adapter for the twist shift looked nasty to me. I put her together, for now, and took her out for a spin. VERY COOL hub!!! it is tricky getting the cable installed (as the barend has no adjuster) but I got it figured out. I still need a front derailluer then figure out how to best run the cables before send her off the frame and paint shop.
__________________
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
Last edited by Bianchigirll; 08-19-09 at 05:41 PM. Reason: spelling
08-19-09, 04:50 PM
#13
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Hello! is anyone still looking at this thread? my shifter came in the mail today!! I really wanted the "rapidfire" style but it will not fit on drop bars. so I got the Jtek barend. the whole adapter for the twist shift look nasty to me. I put her togather, for now, and took her out for a spin. VERY COOL hub!!! it is tricky getting the cable installed (as the barend has not adjuster) but I got it figured out. I still need a front derailluer then figure out how to best run the cables before send her off the frame and paint shop.
__________________
Gear Hubs Owned: Rohloff disc brake, SRAM iM9 disc brake, SRAM P5 freewheel, Sachs Torpedo 3 speed freewheel, NuVinci CVT, Shimano Alfine SG S-501, Sturmey Archer S5-2 Alloy. Other: 83 Colnago Super Record, Univega Via De Oro
Visit and join the Yahoo Geared Hub Bikes group for support and links.
https://groups.yahoo.com/group/Geared_hub_bikes/
Gear Hubs Owned: Rohloff disc brake, SRAM iM9 disc brake, SRAM P5 freewheel, Sachs Torpedo 3 speed freewheel, NuVinci CVT, Shimano Alfine SG S-501, Sturmey Archer S5-2 Alloy. Other: 83 Colnago Super Record, Univega Via De Oro
Visit and join the Yahoo Geared Hub Bikes group for support and links.
https://groups.yahoo.com/group/Geared_hub_bikes/
08-19-09, 05:43 PM
#14
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I forgot to order one (or two) when I got the shifter. I'll check my shop on sat when I get some other stuff they ordered.
__________________
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
