internal gear hubs

[bafc23]

Thinkin' 'bout building up a path/street bike around one of the new internal gear hub systems. Anyone have insight or comparisons on the SRAM and Nexus systems? Built wheels with them or put them to the test?

I don't want to go nuts with the Rohloff, was thinking 3-7 speeds would be more than enough.

thx

[rockhound]

I thought about doing something similar, but with a singlespeed frame.

The rear hubs still aren't cheap.

[rockyrider]

...or light

[bafc23]

yeah, horizontal drops/ss frame was what i was thinkin' too - don't really care about weight for this rig, and from basic calculations an internal hub compared to a cassette and deraileur set-up seem to weigh out pretty even anyway.

[S. cerevisiae]

I was wondering the very same thing. A wrench at LBS claims that the Nexus 8 sp. heavy duty (his term) is the bee's knees. Sheldon Brown told me that it will be cool on trails as was my intended usage. He also noted that one should watch the gear ratio of crank/cog. It was his concern that warranty ethics demanded attention in this area.

He really had no guideline other than 32x16 might be a little to stout. He was advocating forty-something to 18 or 20 maximum. Haven't tried it yet.

Budgie had limited success, and claims to stay away from the hub brake version. He was racing though.

[myron]

I would give carlo's left nut for a 3 speed, strong, simple, and fairly light unit. Why I dunno......I think it would be dandy for an all purpose bike. Light trails, beer, commutes. It's not so much that I hate gears,but I hate derailuures and shifters.

[bafc23]

Sky Yaeger to the rescue, via Swobo:

http://www.swobo.com/product_b.aspx?p=SBB08001&l=00040011000000000000&pn=0

Unfortunately I am prone to making the simple into the complex and so my dislike of beer-can tubing means I won't be simply plunking down the fairly reasonable $ for the Otis. However, it gives the SRAM 3-Speed Coaster Brake Hub a giant boost in the polls for component selection if I end up doing this project.

Still kinda curious about SRAM vs Nexus systems tho...

[myron]

I'm having a heck of a time finding one of those Sram I-motion hubs with 135mm spacing. Looks like the 3 speed Nexus is too short,Sturmey 3sp with 175mm axle may work. Anybody?

[real_ss_budgie]

My friend Budgie had limited success, and claims to stay away from the hub brake version. He was racing though.

when the going got tough the nexus 7 speed got limp..but for your purpose, i reckon it'll be fine

ken i'll $ell you mine..all you need is the internals

[myron]

My friend Budgie had limited success, He was racing through the pub.

ken i'll $how you mine..all you need is the internals and a healthy dose of wambat urine to combat the swelling
Oh yeah.......?

[rockhound]

I just found a BIKE magazine from a few months back that did a story on internal gear hubs...it might be worth a look.