Hot answers tagged internally-geared-hub
11
Jan Heine performed some wind tunnel tests of "Real World Aerodynamics" a few years ago. A link to a blog post (and the results published in Bicycle Quarterly) can be found here. Those tests cover only one component (the aero drag component) of commuter-type bicycles vs. "racing" bikes.
If you want to make your own apples-to-apples comparisons of ...
9
Replacing a hub is not a "simple" procedure -- it, at a minimum, involves relacing the rear wheel, probably with different sized spokes (whose size you must accurately determine). Relacing is not beyond the abilities of a competent backyard mechanic, but is a skill that needs to be learned.
To add a second chainring you must install some sort of device to ...
7
In the 5 years have you had the hub rebuilt / repacked with grease? The maintenance schedule for the Nexus 8 speed is every 5000 km or 2 years, which ever comes first (I believe). If you have not had any maintenance in your 5 years this is likely the culprit for decreased performance.
20,000 km should be no problem for a properly maintained hub; however, ...
7
Typically you quote gear sizes in gear inches, very basically this is the drive wheel diameter multiplied by the ratio between the two gear cogs, traditionally quoted in inches.
Also sometimes mentioned is development which is the amount of distance travelled by one revolution of the cranks (the astute will notice that is going to be proportional to gear ...
5
In 2001, Kyle and Berto published a comparison of the mechanical efficiency of several configurations of derailleur and internally-geared hubs in Human Power, which you can find here. Among the systems tested were a Shimano MTB derailleur system, a Sturmey-Archer 3-speed hub, the Shimano 7-speed Nexus hub, and the 14-speed Rohloff hub. MTB derailleur systems ...
5
I have a Rohloff and have sent some emails to the factory due to severe oil spill (had to replace the seals, successfully). From what they have told me, the 25ml of oil is more than double the necessary amount for the hub to work fine, since the oil is very sticky and it distributes inside the hub. Even the unavoidable oil "sweating" should be considered ...
5
If she liked the Lime, why not look at the second hand market. Get one and have it serviced by a good bike shop and off she goes...
Edit : Quick 1 minute search and I found This - why go second hand.....
5
I see a few different sizes of chain, broken down as follows
1/8 inch wide chain
Single Speed / Internal Hub only, don't use with a standard derailleur.
Can fit on 1/8 inch or 3/32 inch chainrings and cassettes. It will have some play when installed with a 3/32 chainring or cassette, but it's usable. So, if you accidentally buy an 1/8 in chain and have ...
5
I can only compare the basic Shimano Acera and Deore (3x8) deraileurs to the Rohloff 14-speed hub, but these are my observations.
On the Rohloff hub
Rohloff, like most hub gears is slightly less efficient than a well-maintained derailleur, as this PDF study explains. In my experience the difference is not noticeable, perhaps because I've mostly used cheap ...
4
The other answer is a pretty good list of differences, so I'm going to try to complement it with a fluffier, more hands-on answer that I think better describes the experience of riding with hub gears. I switched from derailleur to a Shimano 8-speed hub two years ago. My daily commute was 8 km each way back then, in all weathers.
The short answer is that you ...
3
Summary: It might work. You have to check. It's easier/better to find a single-speed chain, since they're easy to find and not more expensive than a multi-speed chain.
There's actually two size differences between chains for singlespeed/internally-geared bikes and chains for derailleur bikes.
The obvious is length: A chain installed on a singlespeed bike ...
3
The first thing you should be looking into is gearing to ensure that an internally geared hub will work for you! The more you pay, the more gear range you get out of a hub, but even the nicest internally geared hubs don't match the spread of standard mountain bike gearing.
If you've decided that an Alfine 11 hub is for you then to answer your questions in ...
3
It sounds as if you adjusted the barrel adjuster out too far, the last time you adjusted it, and damaged the threads on the adjuster. When the shop cleans and lubes it, it is fine for a few days, and then gets stuck again, because the threads are cross threaded or stripped. If the damage is relatively minor, it can act normal until it is under a little ...
3
Well, about a year ago, I got A shimano Alfine 11 Speed . . . thing didn't even last 700 miles!!!!! (Several of the gears don't even engage . . . at first, thought the chain broke.) And Shimano doesn't even service it. Also have a Rohloff, with nearly 19,000 miles, no problems so far. 'Nough said!
3
The sprockets (apart from the 13 tooth) are reversible, so you can get twice the life out of one by taking it off and using the other side of the teeth. From the photo it looks to me as if it's only worn in one direction so far, or at least significantly more worn in one direction.
http://www.rohloff.de/en/products/speedhub/sprocket/index.html
(From my ...
2
A quote from this answer to the "How much maintenance?" question:
Those numbers are why people often end up with a dedicated commuter bike that costs a fortune up front. New Rohloff Oil every year at $20 compared to a new Shimano hub every three years at $800 makes the $2000 up front cost of a Rohloff seem cheap (a Rohloff will last 100,000 kilometres or ...
2
There's also the Schlumpf drives, which fit inside a standard bottom bracket.
http://www.haberstock-mobility.com/en/products/schlumpf-drive.html
Only two speeds though, like the HammerSchmidt.
2
A derailleur-style chain needs to be more flexible, side-to-side. Not that such flexibility will cause problems on a single-speed setup. Also, newer derailleur setups need for the chain pins to project slightly, to facilitate indexed shifting. This is not needed (but harmless) in a single-speed setup.
2
If it was an externally geared bike I would say replace it. Given that it's an internally geared bike and therefore basically a singlespeed in terms of what the chain touches, I would be less inclined to change it. You can run a chain on a single speed fr a very, very long time without issues. The components will all wear together and yes you will likely ...
2
A chain with this many miles on it almost certainly has a large amount of what's called "chain stretch". As chains wear, the distance in between the link gaps increases. (This page on chain maintenance will tell you more than you need to know on the subject.) When this gets past a certain point, the chain needs to be replaced. If this isn't done, increased ...
2
I've owned a Scott Sub 10 Alfine 8 (orange 2011) since Jan 2012. I've done 1600 miles and it runs very nicely indeed. Unfortunately I rode through a 'puddle' during the floods, which turned out to be 18" deep - it completely submerged the hub for 5-10 seconds. I bought a litre of the magic shimano oil for £60 from a shop which has since gone bust. When I ...
2
They have a 135mm version as well. That should be meant to replace the (rear) Rohloff hub when converting a Rohloff drive train to fixed gear/single speed, while keeping the brake disk. Some people may want to do that at least temporarily, and Rohloff compatible frames (without chain tensioner) are by design a good base for fixed gear/single speed conversion ...
2
Choosing a grip is a matter of personal preference. If you're worried about the fact that the Nexus shifters require a smaller grip on one side than the other (due to the shifter taking up room), you can get grips that are made to mate with an internal hub shifter like the Nexus.
Alternately, since these can be difficult to locate, you can cut down the ...
2
That really depends on your definition of "hassle free" and how much of a newbie you are. Personally, I always find square taper bottom brackets to be a pain the &*$#!
The square taper bottom bracket requires a special tool to remove it. The ever helpful Sheldon Brown has a list of the different types. the first or second one on the list is the one you ...
2
Have you tried changing the tension on the shifting cable? There's usually a tension adjuster on the outside of the hub. It's unlikely to hurt, and it's easy to do. I'd tighten a little at a time until all the gears work well.
If that doesn't do it, you may need to have the hub looked at. There could be some dirt inside the hub (it happens, even with ...
2
You are correct. This is different than "regular" cables. On regular cables you pick the end you want and cut off the other. Thats because the connection on the cut-off end is usually a clamp. You run the cable under a screw/nut and tighten it down.
Then you just put a cable crimp on the end to protect the cut cable
However, your internal hub cable is ...
2
I don't think you're going to be able to swap the guts of an internally geared hub on to a prebuilt wheel that doesn't have the same hub on it to start.
If you buy a new rim, you should be able to do a rim swap relatively easy if you have a truing stand. Simply tape the rims together and swap the spokes over to the new rim one at a time. Then you'll need ...
2
Do not use a mis-matched internal geared hub for your frame.
You risk damage to your gear hub, your frame, or both. Aluminum frames are much stiffer than steel frames, which is good for good for riding, but it is also prone to cracking due to this stiffness (when compared to steel's malleability). Even if you do fit the part, it will be a weak point in the ...
1
A quick way, is to just have a little look.
If a new chain meshes nicely and there are no funny sounds or any skipping when it turns, then it's good to go.
Sheldon Brown has some examples of worn cogs and how to spot them here.
1
Whilst this doesn't expand further on the answers already given another site probably worth noting as it covers all of your examples with addition of direct comparisons, it's also very easy to understand is:
http://www.gear-calculator.com/#
Only top voted, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible
