Internally Geared Hubs
10-29-09, 03:47 PM
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Internally Geared Hubs
I've seen a few names of companies which make modern, internally geared hubs. I'm not just referring to the Sturmey-Archer 3 speed but I think I've heard of six, seven and eight speed hubs.
Who makes them?
Are they any good (quality, durability, etc)?
What do they weigh?
What do they cost?
Who here has used them? Tell me about them.
Who makes them?
Are they any good (quality, durability, etc)?
What do they weigh?
What do they cost?
Who here has used them? Tell me about them.
10-29-09, 04:15 PM
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here's some good places to start:
https://forums.mtbr.com/forumdisplay.php?f=154
https://groups.yahoo.com/group/Geared_hub_bikes/
https://forums.mtbr.com/forumdisplay.php?f=154
https://groups.yahoo.com/group/Geared_hub_bikes/
10-29-09, 05:16 PM
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not forgetting Hubstripping.
10-29-09, 08:00 PM
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From what I know pretty much all of the new internally geared hubs are pretty good.
Aside from general opinions on different hubs, all your other questions can be found in about 3 minutes searching google.
Aside from general opinions on different hubs, all your other questions can be found in about 3 minutes searching google.
10-29-09, 08:02 PM
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I've seen a few names of companies which make modern, internally geared hubs. I'm not just referring to the Sturmey-Archer 3 speed but I think I've heard of six, seven and eight speed hubs.
Who makes them?
Are they any good (quality, durability, etc)?
What do they weigh?
What do they cost?
Who here has used them? Tell me about them.
Who makes them?
Are they any good (quality, durability, etc)?
What do they weigh?
What do they cost?
Who here has used them? Tell me about them.
jim
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SB forever
Cross Check Nexus7, IRO Mark V, Trek 620 Nexus7, Karate Monkey half fat, IRO Model 19 fixed, Amp Research B3, Surly 1x1 half fat fixed, and more...
--------------------------
SB forever
10-30-09, 04:34 AM
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I'm about to build a late '60s Super Sport lady's frame for my wife with a Nexus 8 speed 700c wheel. While not light, it feels lighter then a SA AW. I'll try to weigh them this morning.
I'm impressed by the gearing. I only rode it briefly on a different bike and I liked the low gears, which will be important to Mrs. PB on our hills.
I'm impressed by the gearing. I only rode it briefly on a different bike and I liked the low gears, which will be important to Mrs. PB on our hills.
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10-30-09, 05:57 AM
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There is too much info already on the forums, mainly in commuting and folding bikes forums, to go into it here in much detail. But here's a quick overview that will help your searching:
The basic Shimano IGH line is called Nexus; there are Nexus Inter-3, Inter-4, Inter-7, and Inter-8 hubs. The last also comes in an upscale version called Alfine.
Sturmey Archer / Sunrace has 3, 5 and 8 speed hubs. The current 8 speed model is the X-RF8w.
SRAM offers 3, 5, 7 and 9 speed hubs.
NuVinci is a fascinating --but big and heavy-- continuously geared hub, range slightly higher than any of the above.
Rohloff makes a 14-speed hub with a range as wide as a typical MTB drivetrain. Not cheap, though.
The basic Shimano IGH line is called Nexus; there are Nexus Inter-3, Inter-4, Inter-7, and Inter-8 hubs. The last also comes in an upscale version called Alfine.
Sturmey Archer / Sunrace has 3, 5 and 8 speed hubs. The current 8 speed model is the X-RF8w.
SRAM offers 3, 5, 7 and 9 speed hubs.
NuVinci is a fascinating --but big and heavy-- continuously geared hub, range slightly higher than any of the above.
Rohloff makes a 14-speed hub with a range as wide as a typical MTB drivetrain. Not cheap, though.
10-30-09, 06:37 AM
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Thumbnail history for C&V:
The first commercially successful cycle multi-gear was William Reilly's The Hub, a two-speed IGH, in the mid/late-1890s UK market.
Frank Bowden's 3-Speed Gear Syndicate Limited (UK, later Sturmey-Archer) began to market IGHs in 1903.
Fichtel & Sachs (Germany, more recently SRAM) began making IGHs in 1904.
Shimano (Japan) built their first three-speed hub in 1957.
MBI (Korea) built their first three-speed hub in 1996.
Rohloff (Germany) began IGH production - hmmm - late 1990s? I can't find a reference.
IGH manufacturers which have disappeared in the last half century or so include BSA, Steyr, SunTour and Bendix.
tcs
The first commercially successful cycle multi-gear was William Reilly's The Hub, a two-speed IGH, in the mid/late-1890s UK market.
Frank Bowden's 3-Speed Gear Syndicate Limited (UK, later Sturmey-Archer) began to market IGHs in 1903.
Fichtel & Sachs (Germany, more recently SRAM) began making IGHs in 1904.
Shimano (Japan) built their first three-speed hub in 1957.
MBI (Korea) built their first three-speed hub in 1996.
Rohloff (Germany) began IGH production - hmmm - late 1990s? I can't find a reference.
IGH manufacturers which have disappeared in the last half century or so include BSA, Steyr, SunTour and Bendix.
tcs
10-30-09, 06:48 AM
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tcs
Last edited by tcs; 10-30-09 at 06:52 AM.
10-30-09, 07:01 AM
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10-30-09, 07:45 AM
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I am clueless as to this topic, but I sure appreciate the insight.
I'd like to build one, eventually.
Just a good, solid, dependable internally-geared bike that is comparable in performance to what I have.
I've been "given" a tandem bike to build (landfill item), and it would be great to be able to keep it simple.
I'd like to build one, eventually.
Just a good, solid, dependable internally-geared bike that is comparable in performance to what I have.
I've been "given" a tandem bike to build (landfill item), and it would be great to be able to keep it simple.
10-30-09, 08:32 AM
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I have a Shimano Nexus 8 "redline" which I purchased last summer I love it and really should ride it more. from my understanding they are very duarable but the Gents at the yahoo group have more than enough info for you.
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10-30-09, 09:27 AM
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I should just stay away. You guys always get me going. A 14 speed rohloff would replace, quite thoroughly, my current mountain bike setup, and give me almost the same range, and more gears without overlap, nearly the same jump between cogs. Geez.
Does anyone know why you need a chain tensioner with this setup?
Does anyone know why you need a chain tensioner with this setup?
10-30-09, 09:30 AM
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Specialized makes an internal hub, but I think they are more like 7 or 8 spds. They very well could have a 3ps internal as well. (Most like automatic)
10-30-09, 09:54 AM
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I should just stay away. You guys always get me going. A 14 speed rohloff would replace, quite thoroughly, my current mountain bike setup, and give me almost the same range, and more gears without overlap, nearly the same jump between cogs. Geez.
Does anyone know why you need a chain tensioner with this setup?
Does anyone know why you need a chain tensioner with this setup?
10-30-09, 10:47 AM
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a half link in the chain can solve that issue
10-30-09, 10:49 AM
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I saw a chain tensioner on a suspension-equipped mountain bike with an IGH. I assumed this was needed to keep the chain tensioned at all positions of suspension travel. The chain has to be long enough to accomodate the longest length. The tensioner takes up the chain slack when it's in the shortest length.
You know what they say about assumptions, though,...
You know what they say about assumptions, though,...
Last edited by Mike Mills; 10-30-09 at 01:15 PM.
10-30-09, 10:53 AM
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I saw a chain tensioner on a suspension-equipped mountain bike with an IGH. I assumed this was needed to keep the chain tensioned at all positions of suspension travel. The chain has to be long enough to accomodate the longest length the tensioner takes up the slack for the shortest length.
You know what they say about assumptions, though,...
You know what they say about assumptions, though,...
10-30-09, 12:29 PM
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okay. I understand. I was thinking hardtail, though. Actually I was thinking that this would be the coolest belt drive option on the planet, but I'd probably need to have someone make the rear belt cog. I suppose I'd better shut up before this becomes a fullblown hijack, though.
All I need is an extra $1600...
All I need is an extra $1600...
10-30-09, 12:50 PM
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if you have vertical dropouts you need a tensioner
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10-30-09, 12:56 PM
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)) <> ((
let me add that they are the perfect thing for the novice bicyclist. for the rest of us, we find them slightly boring and restrictive. that's not to say they don't work well (most do).
10-30-09, 01:04 PM
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I've been riding a Jamis Commuter around town since January. I really like the Nexus 8 drivetrain for the city or even short overnights. Eventhough the range is great, I would find it heavy and limiting for any serious touring.
10-30-09, 01:10 PM
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okay. I understand. I was thinking hardtail, though. Actually I was thinking that this would be the coolest belt drive option on the planet, but I'd probably need to have someone make the rear belt cog. I suppose I'd better shut up before this becomes a fullblown hijack, though.
All I need is an extra $1600...
All I need is an extra $1600...
Aaron
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10-30-09, 01:18 PM
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So, if I got a Rohlhoff and a triple granny crank I would have , let's see,... 14 * 3 = 42,... I would have 42 gear ratios from which to choose!!!!!
The thing is, I would still need a rear derailleur or chain tensioner. :-(
Oh well, 14 ratios isn't too bad. The price, though,... $1400 just for the HUB!
The thing is, I would still need a rear derailleur or chain tensioner. :-(
Oh well, 14 ratios isn't too bad. The price, though,... $1400 just for the HUB!
10-30-09, 01:19 PM
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I have a bike with the Sturmey XRD-8 (with drum brake) and for the price, I like it a lot. It's noisier than the Nexus, but also cheaper and comes with more brake options. I had mine for about 2 weeks when it broke... I emailed Sturmey and they shipped me all-new internals for it, and the tool to replace it, and paid shipping both ways. Since then, I've put about 150 miles on it with no complaints. If I build another city bike, I will probably get another Sturmey hub to put on it.
(EDIT) THe only complaint I have besides the noise is that the way they geared the Sturmey, you have to have a very small chainring, or a very small rear wheel... 1st gear is 1:1 and on most other hubs, 1:1 is one of the middle gears. I ran mine with a 32T chainring, and it still wasn't low enough to climb hills.
(EDIT) THe only complaint I have besides the noise is that the way they geared the Sturmey, you have to have a very small chainring, or a very small rear wheel... 1st gear is 1:1 and on most other hubs, 1:1 is one of the middle gears. I ran mine with a 32T chainring, and it still wasn't low enough to climb hills.
Last edited by FunkyStickman; 10-30-09 at 01:23 PM.