Some general questions.
 

Before too long I will have to be getting a new bike, and I am thinking about various features/qualities. There are some things I have been reading contradictory things about, and want to get some feedback.

First, gear systems. What are the advantages of a hub gear vs. a derailleur? I had a three-speed hub gear back when I was in HS & college, but not since. I would need more than three speeds around here, and I know that Shimano makes 7- and 8-speed hubs. But what are the advantages and disadvantages of both?

I may have other questions downthread.

What kind of riding are you planning on doing? Urban commuting (how far?), country road riding, mountain biking, going to the grocery store occasionally, loaded touring, etc...distance? West Virginia is a bit hilly as I understand it--how hilly where you are?

Indeed, its important to know what kind of riding you'd like to do before suggesting one or the other.

Derailleurs can be used in a wider variety of riding conditions than hub gearing systems, so its important to determine if you're looking to go out of the bounds of hub systems.

Mostly urban commuting; 8-10 miles. While the routes I usually take are not very hilly (being down in the river valley), sometimes I do have to go up into the hills. Saying that Charleston is in a canyon would be taking it too far, but once one gets out of the Flats by the river, there are some roads that even cars labor up.

Some country road riding, which gets very hilly. Lots of long, steep up and down, switchbacks.

Internal geared hubs require less maintenance and can be shifted while the bike is stopped. They tend to rob a little bit of power compared to derailleur systems and have less gearing range (except the Rohloff which is too expensive to consider for this discussion). They also make the removal of the rear wheel more difficult. If you buy a better quality bike, keeping the derailleurs adjusted is pretty easy and quick and you will get a much better gear range for when you do hit those hills. Also, most bikes that come equipped with internal geared hubs are lower end cruisers or so-called commuter bikes that are quite heavy.

Another downside to the average geared hub system is that they're less robust. If you're planning on loading on cargo, I wouldn't trust a large number of them to survive.

Something like a Bianchi Castro Valley might suit you. It has a rear derailleur, but only one front chainring, so no front derailleur. 7 speeds (I think). My mother has a Breezer Villager, which has an internal hub, but it's a bit heavy for my taste. Her commute is only three miles roundtrip.

I have never had trouble with derailleurs, as long as you keep them lubed and cleaned every once in a while.

I find the internal hubs have too wide a jump between some of the gears. The higher my gear, the closer the spacing for me.
I ride almost exclusively on the flats, so if the headwind changes a couple MPH, a 1 tooth change works well. I'm not too concerned about the spacing in the lowest gears, because I only use them to get moving. If I have a hill, I use the granny ring.

elkhound - go visit Bill at the Charleston Bicycle Center on 53rd St in Kanawha City... or pm lowcel

Also, keep in mind that the KRT buses have bike racks on the front....

Oh yes, I know Bill quite well already.

Let me tell you a little more. Josh--the mechanic at CBC--told me that my Xtracycle-enhanced Fuji Monterrey will need to be replaced soon. Given that (a) the Big Dummy will be coming out soon and (b) I may be coming into an inheritance soon, I've pretty much decided to get a Big Dummy frame and build up from there. Or, rather, ask the CBC people to build it up from there. Here is what I've come up with so far:

1. Wheels--strongest you can get and widest that will fit; I'm a big guy (6'1", 240 lbs.) and will be carrying loads.
2. Lighting--hub generator in front wheel feeding front & rear lights
3. Handlebars--the kind that are sort of u-shaped and sweep back.
4. Seat--an easy seat (all my bikes have that)
5. Brakes--disc
6. Fenders and a chaincover
7. Rack on front for panniers

I haven't decided about gears. I've read pangyrics to hub gears from Sheldon Brown and others, but except for some three-speeds one sees very few hub-geared bikes around. I am not so much concerned with speed on the flats as climbing ability on the hills. (I was hoping to get a Stokemonkey with the Big Dummy, but no telling when they will be available.)

Suggestions?

"the Big Dummy will be coming out soon" Santa?!?

No, really... IMO you'd probably be happier with a derailleur if you were to ride up Bridge Road.

On Bridge Road I'm not so much concerned about the slope as with the cars who around the switchbacks hell-for-leather. I generally use the carriage trail as far as it will go.

Anyone had any experiences with these?

Or these: http://www.tektro.com/02products/01auriga.php