Internal Geared Hubs

This topic has 9 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 12 years, 4 months ago by Dirt.

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March 14, 2013 at 4:40 pm #912997

americancyclo
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I’m still window shopping for my ideal commuter bike and was looking around at bike with Internal Gear Hubs (IGH) I know that the Shimano Alfine 11 gets pretty high praise, but I also saw that the Jamis Commuter4 and the Novara Gotham both use the NuVinci n360. I also found an article on a trike forum that gives high praise to the NuVinci and it’s at a slightly lower, but comparable price point.The Kona Dr. Good has a Shimano Nexus 7 speed IGH.

On the other end, the Tout Terrain Silkroad / Metropolitan comes with Alfine or Rohloff at a signiciantly higher price point.

Anyone have experiences with these internal hubs?

I’d ideally like to have a front hub too, for powering a light and maybe even a USB port (!!)
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Viewing 9 replies - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)

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March 14, 2013 at 5:20 pm #964656

vvill
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I don’t know much about IGH but here’s one dynamo hub to consider.

http://road.cc/content/review/65840-shutter-precision-pv8-dynamo-hub

I’ve read about them in a couple places, basically a good value option from what I can tell.

March 14, 2013 at 5:23 pm #964657

JeffC
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I have a 7 speed Shimano Nexus and love it, shifts easily even when stopped. I do find that it seems a bit less efficient than my other bike with a derailleur.

March 14, 2013 at 5:31 pm #964659

Greenbelt
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The Jamis Commuter 3 uses the Shimano 7 internal geared hub — weighs 2 pounds less and costs $300 less than the Commuter 4. I guess in addition to the expense, the NuVinci hub is heavier? I’ll ask around.

March 14, 2013 at 7:14 pm #964686

eminva
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My brother got the Alfine you mention recently and he likes it, although he finds it requires almost as much maintenance as his old derailler-based drivetrain — but he lives in a seaside town with constant ocean spray that gets salt into everything, so YMMV.

Liz

March 14, 2013 at 7:39 pm #964691

americancyclo
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@eminva 46324 wrote:

My brother got the Alfine you mention recently and he likes it, although he finds it requires almost as much maintenance as his old derailler-based drivetrain — but he lives in a seaside town with constant ocean spray that gets salt into everything, so YMMV.

Liz

Yeah, the whole idea is change the chain, sprocket and front chainring, instead of the chain, cassette, and front chainrings.

March 15, 2013 at 2:56 am #964770

vvill
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Gates carbon belt drive!

March 26, 2013 at 7:06 pm #965703

jwfisher3
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I had a NuVinci n360 on a Breezer Uptown Infinity. Wow – was that hub ever heavy, even for an IGH. My bike (with empty panniers) weighed 49 lbs, and this was keenly felt whenever the terrain went towards the sky, however slightly, and severely taxed my mediocre fitness. On the positive side, the gearing range was decent (though not as wide as an Alfine 11 or a Rohloff) and I didn’t have any trouble with the maintenance on my NuvVinci (full disclosure – only about 200 miles total before I sold it.) The Novara Gotham is also a very heavy bike, and is fine for leisurely level ground riding, but does have the Gates belt drive, which is a plus. Breezer has now introduced the Beltway, which is available with Alfine 11 or NuVinci hubs, along with a Gates belt drive. I found the chaincase on the Uptown Infinity was a problematic maintenance issue – difficult even for the bike shop to remove, and prone to going out of alignment and rubbing. The idea of a commuter with dynamo hub and IGH is a fine one, it’s just better for short, level commutes and urban cycling IMHO.

March 26, 2013 at 8:48 pm #965707

FFX_Hinterlands
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I’ve been commuting on a Shimano Nexus 3 speed for the past three years. Other than being re-assembled incorrectly bike a bike shop resulting in imposion I haven’t had much trouble. Overall they work great because you can shift when stopped and really don’t require any adjustment once dialed-in. They allow you to use a full chainguard or chaincase that keeps your drivetrain clean. The Shimano hubs (<=8 speeds) are not waterproof and eventually the seals will give way. I would rather have a 3 speed than a single speed and the 3 speeds don't weigh very much. If you do lots of longer distance or suburban biking (rather than in the city) then traditional gears are lighter and more efficient, but require a little more care.

March 26, 2013 at 9:24 pm #965709

Dirt
Participant

Try to take them for a test ride. They feel very, very different. Generally the Alfine11 is sealed very well…. better than most. That means fewer rebuilds. The Rohloff is pretty much the godfather of internally geared hubs. Its been around longer than most and has lived up to its reputation. The only down-side is that I don’t like any of the drop-bar shifter options.

Love,

Dirt
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