I'd like to introduce my bike, its name is Winston I've been commuting on it daily 30mile RT for about 7 months now.

The bike is a 2011 Bianchi Campione. I've ridden it roughly 3500 miles so far.
It started out looking like this:


Just after new year I was getting tired of the setup and really wanted to get an IGH. I ended up going with the Nexus 8 speed (SG-8R36). Along with the Nexus hub, I got 2 new wheels built up with Mavic MA3's, 105 hub in the front with 28mm Gatorskin Hardshells. It is running Salsa 44t crank with 20t on the hub. I've found it to be a pretty good range for me. Ended up having to use a half link chain to get the tension correct on the chain, but it has been rock solid for the 200+ miles on it so far. I even rode my first century on it this past weekend. Enjoy the pictures and thanks!

Nice looking bike! I've always wanted to build a commuter with Nexus hubs. Did you get the wheels built locally or on line?

I like it, very nice looking bike.

That may be worth doing to my Specialized Langster. That would give it an awesome feel while still keeping the robustness of a "single speed".

Thanks for the post!

Thanks. I got the wheels built up locally. I am lucky to have a great little bike shop 600ft down my street that opened about the same time I started commuting.

Holy cow! That's a very nice looking bike and a great job converting. I like the red on the panniers.

That bike looks great. Nice job! I agree the red panniers look really cool.

I converted a Bianchi San Jose to an igh redband hub like yours a few years back.

Good job! That is a great looking bike.

Toe clips and straps! Cool!!!

Just noticed the Timbuk2 panniers. I really like them.

Beauty!

Thanks everyone! Just a note of caution about the Timbuk2 panniers. Mine failed within 1 week of using them. The pin that holds the hooks that attach to the bike onto the bag are not super strong and broke while riding. Luckily only 1 hook failed and I keep an elastic mesh straps so I was able to get home alright. Since the failure they sent me a new one and I reinforced the pins using metal from paper clips. They have been good since I've done that. Hopefully they have made the attachment better now.

Nice bike. How'd you manage the chain tension? Dropouts have enough room to do so?

Oh, sorry, missed the half link bit. Cheers.

Do you mind my asking you what it cost to convert from down tube to bar end shifters?

I've never understood naming a bike, but whatever tickles your genitals.

It's a good looking one -- I liked it better with the derailleurs though . I realize it probably makes a good IGH bike though.

Beautiful bike! Love what you have done to it!

He's a handsome one, that Winston.

It's not an expensive switch, but you have to keep in mind that this is a bar end shifter for an IGH and not for a derailleur.

OP - Very sleek looking bike minus the white chain. Colored chains are just a little tacky to me. I hope to build a bike like this someday.

The chains not actually white, it is bare metal silver. It looks white in a few of the pictures because I had just cleaned it and the sun was reflecting off it. Thanks though.

Then you get a 10/10. I just looked at the chain in one of your pictures. My mistake!

That particular bar end shifter is 80$ +cable/housing downtube barrel adjuster. It is the only bar end shifter made for the that internal hub that I am aware of. If you stuck with derailleur gearing then you can probably get a bar end that is less expensive. Someone also make a brifter for the Nexus 8, but it is $200+.

That bike looks great! Really liking the setup.