Thinking about getting drum brakes
 

Kind of a whim, but I have been thinking about getting some SA drum brakes for my utility riding. It would let me strap my tires for the occasional snow and ice for one thing.
part of my utility riding involves HAVING to get to the post office, rain, snow or sleet, but it does not snow enough here to warrant studded tires.

My questions for anyone in the know are these

I am heavy, 200+, and live in the Ozark mountains. Not more than 1/2 mile downhills for the most part, but some of them are steep back roads that I can hit fifty on coasting on a roadbike. There are a few one milers, and if I ever did some local overnight tours on it would be hitting some 4+ mile downhills. If I have a load, me and bike can get to 300+ pounds. Thoughts on that?

Because of the hills and my weight, I have to think about gearing. Was thinking about an internal geared hub, but may have to stick with a cassette hub and derailleur. Does anyone have any experience getting low gear inches with internal? I am looking for about a 20 inch low gear. If I go the derailleur route I might have to get a cassette hub so I don't have to spread my rear triangle as much. Besides, I am so used to riding the shimano mega range it would not be a problem. As I have broken more axles on freewheel hubs than cassette, and its a solid axle, this does not concern me much.

Finally, on the front hub, if I'm gonna do it, it might as well be a dyno hub. with really rough roads, how robust are these. By rough I mean unmaintained chipseal with washouts and five inch deep potholes. Will be running 2" tires at 45 psi.

It will take some time to do this, as I will be selling frames and parts to finance it, so I have lots of time to do more research and listen to suggestions. Thanks!

I like mine, if you go dyno get the 90mm front hub. For rear gear spread they do make a cassette/drum combo. Bit hard to find in the states, but here is one. FWIW the S-A drums are on a bike that has seen very little use.

I have one city bike rolling with Shimano roller brakes, I can hit close to 40mph on one downhill, I am rolling at over 300# fully loaded. I can lock the wheels at the bottom of the hill if I have to.

Aaron :)

I was wondering about getting the same diameter drum for both front and back, would like to find out if the parts would interchange. But yes, everything I have read says that the 90 is the way to go. When I talked about rear cassette hub I meant the one you linked, poor writing on my part.
I have found them all over the internet, looks like they are getting easier to get over here.

I prefer to use the largest brakes I can find on the front, it does the bulk of the work, just like on most other vehicles. I weigh a bit over 200# a lighter weight person may not have to worry about it as much.

Aaron :)

Drum Brake IGH will make a stronger wheel .. the 8 speed would be paired with a rather small chainring .

.. though my freewheel S-A Hubs have been fine for 25 years.. ]

its wearing the studded tires now.. comes out in the worst weather.. .

I'd Use V brake Levers .. the MA of the arm where the cable is fixed, to the shoe expanding cam is big..