baldilocks

Can anyone recomend a 3 speed internal gear hub bike for a winter bike. I've considered a inexpensive cruiser, a hybrid or building a single speed 29er MTB into a 3 speed. I've never had a 3 speed IGH but I think for winter riding that would be enough. The cruiser is the most affordable. Geometry wise I would probably like the hybrid or the MTB more. The cruiser and the MTB would allow me wider tires, which I would prefer. I forgot to mention I would have to buy studded tires. I've been leaving my bike in 3rd and just shifting the front chain ring but I don't know if that compairs to the gearing of a three speed. Your input is greatly appreciated.

baldilocks

I don't mean recommend a specific bike. I was wondering if anyone else has used a 3 speed internal gear hub bike as a winter bike.

kingston 

My winter bike is a 3-speed. I have only ridden it one winter, and last winter was pretty mild, but I was very pleased with the X-RD3 and X-FDD hubs for winter riding. When I was looking, there were no complete bikes available with those hubs, so I had to build one.

fietsbob

SA 3 speed gearing is dependent on the hub cog, 13 to 22t you pick one, and your chainring size, rhat's your 2nd gear
1st is 3/4 of that 0.75; ... 3rd is 4/3 of 2nd, 1.33 X multiplied by your wheel size..

I'm Using a Sturmey Archer Drum brake hub on my winter bike , they also make a drum brake 3 speed IGH hub and have since the dawn of time..

Now they also make 4, 5 and 8 speed .. and the Cassette Freehub... and screw on freewheel models.. I have been using the latter for 30 years..

On a old Stumpjumper frame I got with a Broken dropout.. repaired, found a fork and so forth piece by piece..

If I had a use, like upper midwesterners do , Id rebuild the wheel with an SA drum IGH,,, but here snow is an occurrence, not a season..

My winter rain bike, now, is a R'off Disc brake bike Friday Pocket Llama*, with trekking bars ..

* High BB is a mixed blessing .. feet stay dry (rain cape) but I have to shift off saddle to put a foot down ..


you nay have to build your perfect bike , rather than like a computer expect it to be plug and play.....





Shop for something that has a lot of things going for it... right size frame, fork etc, then change the bits you want to be better..
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Dahon.Steve

There are a number of 3 speed bikes for sale on Bikes Direct.

I will say this about the 3 speed hub (Shimano) in the winter. It tends to loose efficiency because the cold freezes the internals. The hub doesn't come to a screeching halt, but you will find yourself using more energy than a regular derailleur bike.

fietsbob

S-A uses light oils, in the gears.. Shimano (coaster or Roller brakes), uses grease ... but they' re cheaper and BD is all over cost cutting..


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CharlieFree

does this mean Sturmey Archers are better in cold temps? I have the Alfine 8 and find it seems a little draggy in cold temperatures. also thinking of going to 3 speed to bring hub weight down.

fietsbob

People Open up Alfine 8 speed hubs de grease and ATF dunk them .. while apart consider fitting an oil port in the hubshell ..

thread and plug a screw hole..

kingston 

I've never had a Shimano IGH, but my SA 3-speed feels the same in the summer and winter.