Nexus 3-speed long-term durability
 

Hi, I was wondering how well the Shimano Nexus 3-speed IGH holds up over very regular, long-term use (e.g. commuting daily).

I assume they are reasonably reliable, but it seems like a lot of the bikes sold with them probably end up being used very sparingly and spend a lot of time in garages.

Has anyone used one over the long term?

I have a Nexus-8 regular (non-'premium') hub, and am in the midst of my own durability study (otherwise known as the daily commute).
So far, so good. The hub seemed to break in a bit in the first 300-400 miles, and the shifting atually got better (smoother, faster) after that. My commute is about 24 miles round trip involves about 700 feet of net elevation change with 3-4 miles of sustained 3%-6% grades with some 12%-18% kickers. The Nexus has handled everything beautifully.
I tend to ease up my pedalling when I shift to avoid shifting under load.

The hub will occasionally skip in gear when I am pouring on the torque (getting up to speed from a light or pushing to make a light before it changes). But this is infrequent, and has never persisted after the initial slip.

I have about 2000 miles on mine so far, and I'm happy with it.

I just sold my nexus 3 c/b a few months ago. It was used lightly for a year then was used alternatingly with other bikes for commuting for two years. It was then used for trail riding. I was a clyde during that time and also had enough power to take a 44/18 singlespeed up a 10% slope.

The hub held up fine. It braked and shifted like new when I sold it. I had to respoke the rear wheel but the hub was fine. I pitted the front cones and wore out the bottom bracket and a set of pedals.

I am not trying to use a bit of hyperbole here. The bike was basically a $109 walmart special and the spokes, bearings, bb, etc may not have had the best materials and adjustment.

So, my nexus 3 c/b held up over three or four years of sometimes heavy use and worked when I sold it.

I have >15,000 miles on a standard Nexus 8. It has been submerged several times (riding in flood conditions.) It has been running unauthorized synthetic lubricant for all 15,000+ miles.

It was loud when I bought the bike (used) and it is still loud today, but it hasn't really changed for the worse. This summer, I started having trouble keeping the rear wheel from sliding forward in the drop-out. I'll just start carrying a longer wrench I guess.

Can any of you respond to the questions posed in this thread about the Nexus and winter?
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=580308

I have had my 3 speed Breezer for about 3 years now and done close to 1500 miles on it. I use it at least 3 times a week in winter and shift multiple times each trip. I've never had a problem although temps rarely get below 25F here.

I used my Nexus in the winter. It works fine but it did seem a bit stiff to pedal and shift during the really cold days.

I tried to oil it but the brake sounded like metal grinding on metal so I put the grease back in. If I had it now, I would take it apart and oil it with just a bit of oil, then try to add grease but keep the grease confined to the coaster brake.

Nexus hubs are very reliable. The Sturmey Archer hubs made by Sun Race of Taiwan are superior to the old English made hubs. You can't go wrong with either of them.

I'm not in the industry, but based on what I've read SRAM hubs (all made in Germany) dominate the overall world IGH market. They must be pretty good, too.

tcs