Buying an internal gear hub will reduce the amount of time and money you spend maintaining your bike. These are available with a coaster brake option. This wheel is 26 x 1 , which is quite a unique size, so you may have to invest in a new tire, but given the time you will save by not needing to build a wheel, it is worth considering. I've had my Civia Bryan for a couple of years and I'm done with it and here is why: I realize this is a rant, but I hope it is a informative one. As mentioned, exact details are limited, but the hub appears to make use of existing 142 x 12 mm axle fitments, which should allow this hub to be a direct fit for the majority of disc road bikes on the market. The Shimano Nexus SG-C6000-8C 8-Speed is a little noisy when you first start using it; however, once it is bedded in it becomes near-silent and super reliable. They are famous for their 3-speed hub which is known for its longevity low maintenance. Derailleurs, on the other hand, require a bit of regular maintenance to keep them running smoothly. Its currently unknown what shifters this will work with, but it feels safe to speculate that Di2 compatability would be within the design scope. Keep in mind that these parts last much longer than they do on bikes with derailleurs. There dont seem to be any current competitors to the Synergy, though. However, its not too much of a stretch to imagine the technology having applications in other segments, such as e-road bikes and even mountain bikes. Alfine is Shimanos higher-end line of internal gear hubs. For a great budget/value internal gear hub option, consider the Shimano Alfine 8-Speed Internal Geared Disk Break Hub. Extra cables for motor interrupters are not required. The action of backpedaling engages the brake mechanism that is hidden inside the rear hub. Classifieds hubs require a unique cassette, something the company will produce itself. Thanks for reading. I do not want to ever go back to a derailleur! I probably should be adding the oil or grease mentioned, but I havent and it works just fine 15 years later. he added weight of an internal gear hub on the rear wheel is unsprung. Hybrid drives are common on folding bikes and, Internal gear hubs can also be combined with double or triple. Hub gears come in 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, and 14 speed options. The first thing I noticed was how much drag the belt drive had. However, here are some pointers and things to consider before you go out and purchase an internal gear hub. Classified claims the battery will last 10,000 shifts, or three months of riding, between charges. I agree, it is an exellent summary. When Im not writing about bikes, I can be seen out bikepacking on single speed bikes or teaching kids how to ride. Best for simplicityTo kick (pun intended) off the list, we have the Sturmey Archer S2C Kick-Shift Hub Kit 36h. Hubs with more than 8 gears are usually oil-based. More gears will be added. This simple internal gear hub only has 2 gears. Surprisingly, the invention of the internal gear hub actually came before the derailleur. A coaster brake means that you do not have to have a separate lever for a rear brake. Ive been riding a Breezer Uptown 8 with a Shimano Nexus 8 for about 15 years or more (I cant remember). In some conditions you might only get 500-1000 miles out of a chain. It can also provide a wider gear range and closer gear ratio spacing. Once your internal gear hub is set up, you can ride for thousands of miles without touching it. This widens your gear range but increases the weight and complexity of your drivetrain considerably. I put together this internal gear hub vs derailleur pros and cons list to help me decide if the conversion is worth the money. The first models of both gear shifting systems came equipped with 2 speeds. It catches, then slips once after shifting, then works fine until the next shift. Thanks to continued innovation, you can now get the same gear range as with some of the best, more traditional derailleur-based groupsets. The more gears there are, the more critical maintenance becomes. Youll have to decide which type of brakes youre going to use when buying the hub. As of now, internal gear hubs are incredibly reliable but do lack a bit in the performance department. This is about a 20 minute job. Coaster brakes take some getting used to, and you need to know that if you try to backpedal, the rear wheel will come to a stop. Shimano Ultegra HG-800 11-34T cassette review: Adventure-sized, Beyond the big ring: Understanding gear ratios and why they matter, The new sub-compact and the future of wide-range gearing. That hub shell appears to offer an enormous hub flange diameter and uses straight-pull spokes. This particular model comes with 36 holes for your spokes, but it is also available for 32h. Its a much simpler technology that is completely user-serviceable and more efficient. Cost is also a major factor. It is hard to get going in a high gear with a recumbent bike because you cant use your body weight to begin pedaling. Two things from your list that I would emphasis is shifting while stopped. Currently, there are four cassette ranges listed, and all are 11-speed. Rohloff offers a number of variations on their 14-speed hub. The simplicity of not needing shifters or cables, Enough of a change in gear for city riding or commuting. Unlike a fixed gear, you do not have to keep pedaling while the rear wheel turns. A derailleur drivetrain requires new chains and cogs more frequently than an internal gear hub due to the extra wear from moving around on the gears. What do you think? After some extensive research and testing on a Rohloff and Shimano hub, I put together this internal gear hub vs derailleur pros and cons list to help me decide if the conversion is worth the money. To do this, you need to respoke and basically rebuild your rear wheel. The only noise you get is from the chain itself and changing gears. The chain just wraps around the front and rear gears, just as if it were a one speed, with a nice plastic enclosure to keep it all clean. All of them are too damn slow! Internal Gear Hub Vs Derailleur: My Pros and Cons List. Classified is currently stating those four cassette options are 11-27, 11-30, 11-32 and 11-34T, sizes that are compatible with existing Shimano 11-speed road drivetrains, while SRAM and even Campagnolo 11-speed users could make a number of the size options work, too. For the price, this is a high-quality internal gear hub that is built to last. Categories Bicycle Touring and Bikepacking, Bikes and Cycling, Home Bikes and Cycling Bicycle Touring and Bikepacking Internal Gear Hub Vs Derailleur: My Pros and Cons List. And I dont have any chain tensioner. 2. i appreciate this kind of review. Adding a Mid Drive with a torque sensor built in & a IGH is like they were made for each other. Get a Snycros iS Couple bottle cage when you subscribe to Mountain Biking UK today! Usually, the rear sprocket gears fall halfway between the gears in the hub. -, "Fact is only what you believe; fact and fiction work as a team." Copyright 2022 - Where The Road Forks. Especially because if something goes wrong with your rear wheel, your ride would be over, and if it collapses mid-ride, you are in for a nasty fall. The only conceivable issue you would face is a cut belt (that is unlikely) anything that damages the hub is going to be catastrophic damage to the bike and you would be walking. The other thing I like is the low maintenance. This system offers some of the benefits of both internal gear hubs and derailleurs, . Gates says as much in their user manual. Upgrading to an internal gear hub is not a very cheap investment, but it is worth it in the long run. This makes them one of the best upgrades for your bicycle if you want to improve reliability and reduce maintenance. Most internal gear hubs use either 32 or 36 spokes. The whole system is designed to transfer from one hub shell to another, meaning you can set up multiple wheelsets with the Classified system without incurring the (unknown) cost of the electronics and moving components. They work great for urban commuting and light touring. These cassettes are said to be machined from a single block of steel (not unlike SRAMs upper-tier cassettes), and the large driver interface replaces the need for a cassette spider. Although it is only 4 speed, the 28% increments of gearing give you plenty of versatility no matter the terrain. Its how we shift a car (with manual transmission): let off the gas, throw in the clutch, coast for a second while shifting, let out the clutch, go back to the gas. Hopefully, this list helps you decide as it has helped me. Currently, specific details such as prices, weights and frame compatibility remain unknown. Shimano Nexus gear is really popular due to its high build quality and seamless ability to work whenever you need it. Thank you for reading! Now, things are changing. Instead, you rely on your legs and backpedal when you want to stop. 7. It just seems more natural, and you dont have to think about downshifting to a stop so that you are in a good gear for restarting. They are compatible with belt drive as well. Luckily it seems to be an intermittent problem. You may need to re-tension the chain when you remove your rear wheel to fix a flat. Although this may not be the most affordable internal gear hub, it is very reliable, durable, and has an excellent gearing ratio. Low-maintenance bike specialists Dynamic Bicycles claim they have developedthe worlds first internally-geared road bike. To keep this hub going, all you need to do is change the oil once every 5000 km. Rohloff hubs commonly last 100,000 km without failing. Due to your bike not having any derailleurs hanging down, not only does the bike look cooler, but you have less chance of things going wrong or accidentally damaging the drivetrain if you drop your bike. This is about a 20 minute job. Disclosure: Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links, including links from the Amazon Serivices LLC Associates Program. Having said this, derailleurs will always have their place in cycling. All youll need is an Allen key or screwdriver to adjust most derailleurs. As someone who owns a Enviolo N380, there are a lot of points they get wrong. The reason they are called Coaster Brakes is that they still allow you to coast. I used to work for a shop that sold Spot bikes. Classified claims that its wireless system can shift between the two internal gears within 150 milliseconds, or in other words, crazy fast. Some internal gear hubs also use chain tensioners. In particular, ensure that the width will be able to fit your frame. These are available with a coaster brake option. The best internal gear hubs have all the gears you need for your local terrain and riding style, in addition to being reliable and built to last. Even though the invention of the derailleur came 10 years after the internal gear hub, the technology progressed much faster. You may wish to add the simplified nature of adding a Power Assist using an IGH. I hope it is! Particularly on touring and commuter bikes. However, the most popular internal gear hubs are 3 8 speed. Ive spent way more time in the bike trade than anyone should reasonably want to. After some extensive research and testing on a Rohloff and Shimano hub. Electronic Vs Mechanical Shifting: Pros and Cons. It may not be a performance-orientated internal rear hub, but it is durable, simple, and unique. There is a bit of a learning curve. At the hub end, the electronics are cleverly tucked into the thru-axle. PM me with details if you're looking to unload it, which I'd assume you are. Not only do you get 8 seamless and nicely spread out gears, but this hub also comes with a coaster brake. Particularly on touring and commuter bikes. Similarly, theres no mention of system efficiency, something that will likely be an important element given the increased drag that many internal-gear hubs carry. That's a major benefit of using an IGH. Can You Put Drop Handlebars On A Hybrid Bike? Not only does it make the bike look sleeker and reduce maintenance, but it also provides very effective and efficient braking power. The hub was properly adjusted, and tweaking it didn't do any good. Mid-range options start around $450. This unconventional setup is known as hybrid gearing. It does need the occasional cleaning. The reason is that theyre a bit more exposed to the elements because the system is open. Best Internal Gear Hub: Reviews & Buying Tips. Alfine hubs come in 8 and 11-speed versions. I don't really like the 2 speed derailleur either. When the hub finally dies I'll see if I can put a Shimano. It can also provide a wider gear range and closer gear ratio spacing. If you are attempting to build the wheel yourself, do plenty of research on sites like Youtube that offer plenty of handy and detailed tutorials for various bike types. You will often find that internal gear hubs with a coaster brake are more robust as they have been designed to withstand more pressure from the force of stopping the wheel from turning. Not only do you get the wheel, but this kit also comes with the shifter and cables you need to get this set up. The low end Avid Disc brakes (BB5) are dangerously bad and usually rub when adjusted for brake power. "It is better to conquer yourself, than to win a thousand battles." Image: Belt-drive internal-geared multi-speed rear hub, by. I think I might look into replacing all that with one 7 or 8 speed internal hub if at all possible. Just a click of the shifter, I dont hear anything happening inside the hub, just click to a gear and you are there. Given the durability and reliability of IGH/belt setup, I would have no concerns trekking remote places. For commuting, you may be better off with a simpler hub with fewer gears. Too bad I can't convert the drivertrain to an 8-speed derailleur setup. Removing the front derailleur from a drop-bar bike comes with its benefits simplified frame design and increased tyre clearance but its also fraught with compromise. These days, the decision is harder than ever to make. Virtually all the English 3-speeds (Raleigh, Robin Hood, Triumph, Humber, Dunelt, etc.) Some drivetrains combine an internal gear hub with a front or rear derailleur. I wish they offered more gearing options. For example, the 6 speed Brompton folding bike uses a 3 speed Sturmey Archer IGH with 2 rear sprockets. This simple internal gear hub is not for everyone, but if you are looking to upgrade a cruiser or city bike, it is perfect. Generally, the frequency of maintenance depends on the complexity of the hub. The electronic receiver seemingly sits in the axles handle, as does the USB-rechargeable battery. The Shimano Nexus SG-C3000-7R 7-Speed comes with 2 cogs (19t/21t), 3 size chainstay clamps, 3 sets of non-turn washers, hub nuts, and cassette joint (axel). Very annoying! It is available in disc and rim brake versions, 32 and 36 spoke versions, as well as touring and cross country style axle versions. This is an internal gear hub that is built to last. A forum community dedicated to Road Bike owners and enthusiasts. Youll have to degrease and lube your chain every 200-500 miles depending on the conditions. Good point about the cleaning and lube. One of them has a Sturmey-Archer 3-speed hub. The 11 speed Alfine offers a gear range of 409%. This is one of the reasons that investing in an internal gear hub is a lifetime investment. Also, consider the parts coming as part of the package. Especially if you want to save money and time on maintenance going forward. Just make sure you factor in the additional costs of buying all the parts you need to have a complete system and do not get sucked into buying the cheapest internal gear hub online. If youre touring and plan to carry a heavy load, youll want more spokes to support the extra weight. What are your thoughts on the internal gear hub vs derailleur debate? My commute is much shorter, so 8% won't be as big of a deal, and my commuter now is 35 lbs (tank, yes) so it might even be faster. Otherwise, you got a defective hub. The Best Folding Bike for Touring: My Pros and Cons List, The Ideal Bikepacking or Bicycle Touring Tool Kit and Spare Parts List. 2 of the Spot single speeds that we sold shredded the drive belt within 1000 miles. Shimano Tourney vs Altus: Which Groupset Should You Go With? - https://mid-islandadventures.weebly.com/ig-hubs.html. used that wheel. If you bump your derailleur, you may need to re-adjust it. Best of luck! This is how derailleurs grew to dominate the cycling market originally. Inside a freehub body: What makes the clicks and angry bees? The result is something thats said to be light and extremely durable. Will 21lb machine be a low-maintenance dream? Higher-end oil-based internal gear hubs like the Rohloff and Shimano Alfine require regular oil changes to keep them running smoothly. Internal gear hub maintenance involves replacing the lubricant inside of the hub. You are replacing the central console of your rear wheel. Come join the discussion about bike parts, components, deals, performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more! For the ultimate low-maintenance bike, you can also replace your chain with a belt-drive, which means no more lubing or cleaning your chain. As the technology advances, I imagine internal gear hubs will continue to grow in popularity. Specific details of Classifieds new product are limited, but from the companys website, we know the internal shifting hub offers both a 1:1 and a 1:0.7 ratio, the latter effectively adding a lower gear range than what the exterior cassette suggests. The 7 gears provide a great range, perfect for city rides or more challenging touring adventures. Specific weights of the cassettes and hubs havent yet been shared, but in theory this system could be lighter than a comparable 2x system. When shopping for an internal gear hub, you have quite a few options. The first patent for a hub gear was issued to Seward Thomas Johnson, an American machinist, in 1895. That two-speed gearing is wirelessly controlled from a handlebar-mounted shifter more on that in a second. How To Shorten A Bike Chain Without A Chain Tool? It sounds like maybe you had a sticky cable. Hopefully, this list helps you decide as it has helped me. I've actually been thinking about getting a Brompton as well. Below, Ill outline a few of the more popular internal gear hubs available. Dual drives are common on some types of recumbent bikes as well because they allow the rider to downshift while stopped. This involves draining the old oil and replacing it with new. A coaster brake is a great addition to an internal gear hub. To keep your bike shifting smoothly, youll have to periodically readjust your derailleurs as shifter cables and chains wear. Internal gear hubs are becoming increasingly popular on bicycles these days. The gear ratio allows for plenty of variation and can easily be paired with a touring or adventure bike. Would you like to receive offers, updates and events from BikeRadar and its publisher Our Media Ltd (an Immediate Group Company)? Rohloff offers a number of variations on their 14-speed hub. An internal gear hub will help you to reduce maintenance and make your bike look a lot slicker. Generally, hubs with 3-8 gears are greased based. - https://kindernay.com/products/ This keeps out any contaminants and helps the drivetrain last longer. Efficiency and performance will increase. Best for commutersThis one of the most complete internal gear hubs sets you will be able to get your hands on. I do most of my riding in a hilly city. However, a popular reason for getting an internal gear hub is a popular reason to restore and upgrade an older frame. A lot of your energy is going to go into overcoming the friction of the belt. These guys have been in the internal gear hub business for over 100 years. we respect your privacy and take protecting it seriously. You will generally find that the best internal gear hubs have 32h to 36h. The thing often slips after shifting to second or third gear. If you are searching for the best internal gear hub, you have probably done some research already and are well aware of the work and additional cost involved in upgrading your bike to have an internal gear hub. Anyway, it has to be done and I lives in Berlin, Germany, so ther should be some options in this bicycle city. Sometimes both a front and rear derailleur are used. Generally, the more gears, the more complex the hub will be and the more critical maintenance becomes. They are also favored among some bike packers and cycling adventurers. JavaScript is disabled. Cassettes need to be replaced every 2-3 chains or 3000-5000 miles. Shimano is renowned for high quality and durable components, and this 7-speed internal gear hub is no exception. They work great for urban commuting and light touring. Some drivetrains combine an internal gear hub with a front or rear derailleur. I like that it has a 3 speed hub, but not thrilled about the two speed derailleur. The transmitter is powered via a small replaceable battery. This can have an adverse affect on some bikes traction and braking. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Internal gear hubs are super simple, low maintenance, and incredibly fun to ride. However, the Nexus SG-C6000-8C has an extra trick up its sleeve. This isnt the first time weve seen such a modular concept, with Kindernay showing a similar idea for its fully internal-geared hub at Eurobike 2019. However, Dynamics claim that its the worlds first internally-geared road bike may be stretching the truth. Jack Johnson, "A true cyclist sometimes has to bite the dust before he can reach the stars. Laurent Fignon, The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo, VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. Internal gear hub maintenance involves replacing the lubricant inside of the hub. Yes, but do not forget that you are not just paying for the internal gear hub. The gear steps on this hub are smooth, and it comes with a twist shifter you need to make use of the 4 gears you have to choose from. Premium hubs that are suitable for touring start around $1600. So what size is it and how much will you want for it? The LBS I bought it from told me that is "normal" for those hubs. The aluminum hub shell is anodized for improved durability and a nice shiny finish. All Rights Reserved. The simpler derailleur system allowed for more gears and a wider gear range with the technology available at the time. Internal gear hubs are becoming increasingly popular on bicycles these days. Otherwise silent. The Sturmey 3 speed is a decent internal gear hub, and it is surprising to find such an affordable rear wheel with it included. These hubs use a bolt-on axle rather than a quick release. In 2000, the Sturmey Archer sold to the Taiwanese cycling company Sun Race and production moved to Taiwan. In the past couple of decades, internal gear hub technology has progressed significantly. Already have an account with us? At 9.5kg/21lb it isnt that light for a drop-barred bike, but well below average for a bike with a hub gear. From there, the interval between gears ranges from 13-14%. In some cases, cheap 3-speed hubs are pretty much considered disposable. Which is where N380 differs and Im not surprised they didn't cover it. Rohloff hubs commonly last 100,000 km without failing. Thanks for the rant. You usually have to do this every 5000 km or once per year. However, once you are used to the mechanism, it makes coming to a controlled stop a lot easier. However, the reason it is one of the best is the kick-shift feature. Once you have put a few miles into the rear hub, it runs smooth and near-silent. Because they are an enclosed system, you do not have to worry about the elements slowly wearing them away or spend any time cleaning or oiling them. Shimano also offers a lower-end line of internal gear hubs called the Nexus. Alfine hubs come in 8 and 11-speed versions. Shimano also offers a lower-end line of internal gear hubs called the Nexus. You can choose from disc brakes, rim brakes, or hub brakes. One job that is the same regardless of which system you choose is cleaning. Internal gear hubs topped out at 3 gears for decades. Steel vs. Aluminum Bikes: How They Compare & Whats Better. In addition, youll also need to replace your chain and cassette as they wear out. Image: Belt-drive internal-geared multi-speed rear hub, by AndrewDressel, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. I could have told you all of that based on the picture. That is one reason why getting the best internal gear hub the first time around is so important. Unfortunately, the gear intervals are pretty uneven. For those interested in hub efficiency & gear spread, I worked out the BEST spreads you can get on several of the most common hubs but please note, these spreads are out of manufacturers recommended ratios & will void your warranty. Were now at a place where 1x drivetrains can indeed match the total range of a good 2x setup, but that comes with greater gaps between each shift. But after reading you article I began to think who has the knowledge to just take off the wheels and put them rightly on again:). This Sturmey Archer S30 3-Speed 36h kit includes the hub, shifter, cables, and mounting hardware. It is a very, very quiet ride. Most of those listed above will suit any modern bike. Share your experience in the comments below! That means that you can still coast as with all the other internal gear hubs on this list. Take all the stress (and cost) out of having built an internal gear hub into a wheel, Very affordable introduction into the low maintenance world of internal gear hubs, The Sturmey Archer 3-speed hub is reliable and has plenty of gear steps for city and weekend bike rides, The addition of a coaster brake gets rid of clutter on your handlebars and once you get used to it makes for controlled and simple handling. The more gears there are, the more critical maintenance becomes. Internal gear hubs can also be combined with double or triple chainrings and a front derailleur. This system is useful on bikes that cant accept a front derailleur, like many folding bikes. At no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links. Simple grease-based hubs typically need to be cleaned out and re-greased every 12-24 months depending on how frequently theyre used and the conditions theyre used in.
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