ismaximum

Hi All...

I am planning to buy a bike without gear or anything (a single speed bike) and then install Shimano Nexus 8 speed on the bike. Can anyone please guide me what parts I need exactly and anything to consider?
For example, do I need to get chain? is the original chain of the bike enough ? Do I need to change existing crank set?

What about the shifter? Can it be fitted on any handlebar?
I also, don't need front hub and I want to use shifter to shift the gear rather than back pedalling.

Also, I don't know if I have to change the rim or the back wheel or I can install it on existing rim?

Please I'm not asking how to install or how hard it is... All I want is the exact names of parts to do this.

By the way, if you know a website that explains assembling this, it would be great if you let me know.

Thank you so much

hagen2456

Can't answer all your questions, but:

• You should be able to use the S/S chain
• You should be able to install the shifter on just about any handlebars except traditional racing bars.
• Crankset should be fine.
• Not sure what you mean with "back pedalling". Do you mean that you don't wish to have a hub brake? I believe the Nexus 8 comes with the option of disc brakes.
• No need to change the rim. If it's 36 spokes, that'll do fine for the Nexus hub, too. But spoke length will be shorter, of course, and DON'T use 4-cross!!
• As usual, there's a lot of relevant information here https://sheldonbrown.com/nexus8.shtml - note the part about drop-out spacing.
• This seems to be a fine source, too https://www.shimano.com/publish/conte...08%20ohaul.pdf - I've used the manual for the 7-speed with good results!

There's the potential problem with chain line. If you're unsure about that, you may wish to ask your LBS how to make sure it's straight. May be a question of simply turning the sprocket or using a couple of spacers. A slight re-dishing of the wheel MAY be necessary.

dbg

Often single speeds have rear drop widths of 120mm or maybe 126. Nexus 8 requires 130+ mm. Check that out.

jimc101

Have you checked the price difference between buying a complete bike, vs your plan, it's almost always cheaper to buy complete, you also have no setup / compatibility issues, and one single warranty, rather than the multiple ones you will get for each individual part.

ismaximum

Thanks Hagen... it was very helpful

ismaximum

I would like to buy a complete bike but market in Australia is very limited. I can't find a bike with 8 speed internally geared... In Australia you can only find 3-speed one! It's weird! Otherwise I wouldn't go through all of these

ismaximum

Good point.. I should check this as well
Thanks!

MichaelW

You can re-use a rim but rims are consumable, they wear out due to braking. It is better to install a new rim.
You will be fitting a new rear sprocket so don't use an old chain, it may slip.
To counter the rotational effect of changing gears, you need to fit anti-rotation washers on the axle. These are colour-coded for angle and you need to match them to the angle of your dropouts.
A Nexus kit should include the hub, cassette arm, rear sprocket (available in several tooth-counts), cable and shifter.

ismaximum

Thanks Michael

ksisler

ismax, OP; hope this helps.

Agreed that buying a complete bike will save a lot and at least the below one has IGH 8-speeds available. I have bought from bikesdirect and will note that they get it done well. Also might check at www.nashbar.com as they ship all over the world generally and stock some IGH bikes.

"Q: Do you ship internationally?
A: Not directly, sorry. There are far too many customs restrictions to be able to accommodate this. Our website DOES NOT ACCEPT international credit cards. Canadians see below. All other international customers, if you make arrangements with a freight forwarding company or with family or friends in the U.S. we can sell you a bike but payment MUST BE MADE with a wire transfer or with a U.S. Money order. Please email bikesdirectbikes@aol.com for details CLICK HERE for information, Duty and Tax is customers responsibility."

hueyhoolihan

i have had some experience with what you intend to do. the bike had 130mm width in back. the hub was a shimano Nexus 7 with an internal coaster brake. this is what i did:

rebuilt the rear wheel with new shorter spokes and the Nexus hub. shorted the chain and got lucky with the gearing (used a half-link on the chain) that i wanted and the chain tension, so no chain tensioner was necessary (real lucky). i think i may have bought an alternate rear cog and put a spacer in there to adjust the chain line. the BB was a shimano un-72 and the crank was a shimano 600 road crank. i connected the shifter to the stem and ran just about a foot of housing to the stop on the downtube. then bare cable to the cable stop on the driveside chainstay. it worked great. no objections but the weight. when i picked up the bike it felt like it does when you pick up a baby with a full diaper (heavy in the rear ). good luck.

ismaximum

Thanks for sharing your experience

ismaximum

Well with bikesdirect I may end up paying custom and cost of shipment. Because the box of a bicycle is big and heavy it costs more and I don't think it's cheaper this way... the other thing is that I checked the IGH ... honestly I didn't like that (I mean the frame).
Thanks anyway... we'll see how I go with this

HillRider

Have you considered buying a complete rear wheel with the Nexus hub already installed? it might be a lot cheaper than buying the hub and new spokes and having them laced into your current rim.

Also, be aware of the dropout spacing issue mentioned above. The stretch from 126 to 130 isn't bad but from 120 to 130 is a lot and requires a fair bit of realignment.

ismaximum

Hi Again...
My bike has 32 holes rim... I can't find nexus hub with 32 ... all in ebay are 36h... what happens if I install 36h with 32? Is it gonna work?


Thanks

Airburst

Short answer: No.

Long answer: Not realistically, although it's physically possible with a bunch of different-length spokes.

The fact that you're asking that question indicates you almost certainly don't have the wheelbuilding experience to do it.

Kimmo 

Whereabouts in Oz? And what's your budget? I can walk into a shop in Fitzroy, slap down $700 and get a pretty sweet Wilier flat bar road bike with 8s Nexus hub.

The second link when I searched 'flat bar road bike nexus': https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/brows...ier/all-states

dbg

Sorry for the continued "wet blanket" comments but... removing the wheel to change a flat can be challenging on an internally geared hub. I used to outfit all my kids' bikes with IGH's (4 kid bikes, 3 adult bikes, 3 tandems) but have since given them all away except my own commuter. Everybody was always calling me for help whenever they had flats.

Dan Burkhart 

+1. I've built wheels numbering in the hundreds and I wouldn't even venture down that path.

ismaximum

Hi everyone in the list...
I eventually managed to build my wheel with Shimano nexus hub
Attached some photos of it...

Thanks every body for all information