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Shimano Nexus 8 IGH and Winter Shifting Issues

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Shimano Nexus 8 IGH and Winter Shifting Issues

Old 08-31-09, 08:35 PM
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Shimano Nexus 8 IGH and Winter Shifting Issues

Today was cool here in WI and got me thinking about what's coming. I'm a year round commuter in Wisconsin and got a new bike with a Shimano Nexus 8 IGH in March. I've put 2000 miles on it and have been very happy with it. However, when I first got it, temps were in the teens and I experienced some days when I could not shift gears. I attributed it to moisture condensing in the cable housing. Took it in to the LBS and they adjusted so the yellow dots lined up in 4th and I was good to go.

I would be very interested to hear from folks in the Midwest or other cold climates that are commuting with the Nexus 8 in winter. Please share your experience and what you found that works. I have read a number of posts and see conflicting information, but not too many with actual experience at cold temps (from 15 Deg F down to -20 Deg F).

I am considering buying the Gore RideOn Sealed Low Friction System - it is pricey, but if it works, its worth it. But if there is a fundamental issue with the Nexus 8 at low temps, that would be very good to know.

Thanks

PS - I also posted this in the Commuting Forum
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Old 09-02-09, 06:46 PM
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I'll be riding in Denver this coming Winter. Looking forward to any responses from people who have already experienced a Winter with the Shimano.

The literature I've read does say the internal hubs can be a bit draggy in colder weather.
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Old 09-02-09, 08:57 PM
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Rode a Nexus 8 all winter last year here in Madison, WI. Didn't have any real issues with the hub shifting (other than normal adjustments to line up yellow lines) or performance at all. I did (and do) have a ton of issues with corrosion internal to the hub that showed up in spring. Been told that the Nexus hub is notorious for this and that some of the other (read SRAM) hubs are better in that they are serviceable. I did end up buying the special Shimano lube and tore the hub apart to replace bearing balls and re-grease it. Wasn't the easiest thing in the world, but did get it back together.

Haven't been riding that bike all summer, but am starting to think about what to ride this winter and am considering an old-fashioned Sturmey-Archer... I think IGH is the way to go in winter, but am not sure the Nexus hub will make it thru. From what I have read, Shimano has addressed some of these issues, so you may have better luck...

Hope this helps...
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Old 09-04-09, 06:56 AM
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Thank you, jungwiar. I hope I remember to check the hub each time I rotate tires this during this coming Winter.
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Old 09-04-09, 07:27 AM
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I am looking at buying a new commuter for the winter and am very curious about the Alfina internal 8. The Trek Soho and Giant Seek are at the top of my list, but am afraid of the outlay for both if its going to rust out after a winter?!

What about the Carbon belt drive on the Trek, anyone have experience with those in the winter?

While I am asking, how are disc brakes in the winter? (I am in Ottawa so lots and lots of snow and lots and lots of cold)!!
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Old 09-04-09, 08:49 AM
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Originally Posted by gdpdl
I am looking at buying a new commuter for the winter and am very curious about the Alfina internal 8. The Trek Soho and Giant Seek are at the top of my list, but am afraid of the outlay for both if its going to rust out after a winter?!

What about the Carbon belt drive on the Trek, anyone have experience with those in the winter?

While I am asking, how are disc brakes in the winter? (I am in Ottawa so lots and lots of snow and lots and lots of cold)!!
I have no experience with geared hubs or belt drives, but I love my disc brakes. I run 8-inch discs with avid mechanical calipers.
No issues at all in -35F, dust, rain, mud, slush, salty slush, powder snow, wet sticky snow, chunky frozen snow, and combinations of some of these.
Disc brakes plus studded tires=no excuse not to ride all winter. However, they will not stop you from falling through frozen pond ice and may
contribute to exaggerated self-confidence leading to ice riding experiments.
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Old 10-13-09, 05:35 PM
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I used the Alfine-8 all last winter. Below 0 and down to -20 it still works but I seem to remember a lag when shifting.
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Old 10-13-09, 06:58 PM
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I have an Alfine and a couple nexus hubs. I've pulled both types apart and the alfine is definitely sealed better.

I use the nexus red band on my snow bike in colorado. The only cold weather shifting issues I've had are when slush refreezes on the cable. Some forceful shifting has solved the problem.
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