Once your internal gear hub is set up, you can ride for thousands of miles without touching it. Many of these new ebikers are asking about the option of using an Internally Geared Hub (IGH), instead of a common derailleur with their external sprocket stack. Shimano Rollerbrakes supplied with internal-gear hubs are outside the hub shell, avoiding the contamination problem. This setup usually requires a chain tensioner. Most current internal-gear hubs take 3-splined sprockets with 1 3/8 inch inside diameter, interchangeable among brands. Shimano Alfine 8-Speed Internal Geared Disk Break Hub. NuVinci N360 Internal Gear Bicycle Rear Bike Hub Silver 32 H 6-Bolt Disc Brake Scored 5.0/5.0 – From 1 Customer Reviews Priced From $199.95 Features: as advertized >> Read More Reviews On NuVinci N360 Internal Gear Bicycle Rear Bike Hub Silver 32 H 6-Bolt Disc Brake Here << Firmstrong Urban Man Three Speed Beach Cruiser Bicycle, 26-Inch, Orange This distinctive and affordable coffee table book for cyclists collects the best of the stories, photographs, and bicycles encountered by the authors during numerous cross-country photo-journaling trips. 2 and 3 speed hubs are pretty simple. The other thing I like is the low maintenance. Now in its 23rd year of publication, The Bike Book continues to be a bestseller. It’s not one to be rushed, but the Treadwell does offer a genuinely fun riding experience. $500. The Best Folding Bike for Touring: My Pros and Cons List, The Ideal Bikepacking or Bicycle Touring Tool Kit and Spare Parts List. Rohloff offers a number of variations on their 14-speed hub. You didn’t mention the continuously variable transmission by NuVinci, now called Enviolo. The stock cassettes sold with these systems work OK, but I (John Allen) like other combinations better. By entering your details, you are agreeing to BikeRadar terms and conditions and privacy policy. Alfine hubs come in 8 and 11-speed versions. This system is useful on bikes that can’t accept a front derailleur, like many folding bikes. If oil gets out, it washes wear particles, dirt and water out of the mechanism, but also, it coats the hub shell -- messy. o keep this hub going, all you need to do is change the oil once every 5000 km. It’s a game changer. Generally, hubs with 3-8 gears are greased based. Hopefully, this list helps you decide as it has helped me. The enclosed system is protected from dirt, mud and crud, so hub gears tend to require very little maintenance. I should have read all the way through Sheldon’s posts when I started shopping around for frames. With any freewheeling internal-gear hub, you can have hybrid gearing using double or triple chainwheels. Going for the double-whammy of easy maintenance gearing, the Fairfax offers the Shimano Nexus 8 speed internally geared hub and the Gates Carbon Belt drive to avoid messy chains. An internal-gear hub with a hollow axle may be re-oiled by removing the pushrod or indicator spindle and squirting oil into the end of the axle. On a bicycle with rear suspension, the suspension's pivot is usually ahead of the rear hub. Electronic Vs Mechanical Shifting: Pros and Cons. Have a read of our explainer to discover the best bike for you and your needs. “No matter what or how you ride, read this book and remind yourself just how enjoyable cycling can and should be.”—Eben Weiss, author of The Enlightened Cyclist Just Ride is a revelation. Hybrids are created with comfort in mind, so chances are you will get on with the saddle that is fitted on your hybrid. See a parts list for the steel-shell version and for the aluminum-shell version. The Presidio is Marin's dedicated commuter bike, designed with low maintenance and adaptability in mind. Stan Portus is a writer who has been riding bikes for as long as he can remember. You’ll want to consider the number of gears you need, the type of brakes you plan to use, the number of spokes, pricing, quality, performance, etc. These hubs are especially useful on bicycles which can't take a front derailer, and on small-wheel bicycles, where the hub's step-up top gear makes an oversized chainwheel unnecessary. You’ll have to degrease and lube your chain every 200-500 miles depending on the conditions. Most sprockets made for this system (including those shown above) are "dished" so you can adjust the chainline by flipping the sprocket over. Keep in mind that these parts last much longer than they do on bikes with derailleurs. E-14 provides lightening quick shifts changing gears in just 180ms. Hubs with more than 8 gears are usually oil-based. Right: A chain drive with a derailleur. As far as pricing goes, basic 3-speed hub gears start around $100. What kind of issues are you experiencing with the hub? Get the best deals on Shimano Rear Internally Geared Bicycle Hubs when you shop the largest online selection at eBay.com. Two- and three-speed sprocket clusters were made for splined drivers too. There are several different brands and types of internal gear hub (IGH). Use derailer chain, and sprockets made for it. No chain, no pain—the Co-op Cycles CTY 1.3 bike gets you to work or the coffee shop with a no-fuss belt drive and an efficient and reliable 8-speed internal-gear rear hub. Clip-in pedals or toe clips and straps (practical only without a coaster brake) help you pedal at a higher cadence, so your power range is wider -- an advantage on any bicycle but more so on one with big steps between gears. The 8 speed Alfine offers a gear range of 308%. It’s really not that difficult, we promise! So far I’ve only broken a shifter spring and a couple shifting cables. The 68 year old hub still works great, and it’s even an “AG” hub with a built in dynamo, which works well with modern LED lights. Sort by. Different washers fit different models of hubs and dropout-slot widths. $119.95. Many newer hubs attach the shifter cable to a pulley that rotates around the hub's axle. This book offers an authoritative and comprehensive account of the bicycle's technical and historical evolution, from the earliest velocipedes (invented to fill the need for horseless transport during a shortage of oats) to modern racing ... Save yourself a packet over the Travel SL by looking at Cube’s simplified flat-bar hybrid, the handsome Cube Hyde. Because such sprockets are usually stamped, like the one shown below, to fit in the space for a 1/8" sprocket, you might need to grind down the projections on the outward-dished side of the sprocket so you can fit both sprockets onto the hub's splines. Many of the common 3-lug sprockets are made for 1/8" chain -- wider than the chain used with derailer gearing. This is typically your level-ground cruising-along gear -- it could be a bit higher or lower depending on your strength. IGH bikes aren’t that more expensive, and are super easy to shift, and usually come with all the commuter stuff like fenders, lights, etc. The Priority 600x is an amazing machine. Priority Bicycles – Apollo Gravel. Stan started working in the bike industry two years ago, writing about some of the most desired tech and sought-after cycling apparel there is. I probably should be adding the oil or grease mentioned, but I haven’t and it works just fine 15 years later. Its been the only bike I’ve ridden for the last 3 years. The avid cyclist is the one who pushes their bodies and cycles, and/or focuses on doing stuff to their cycles often. If you’re a dab hand at mechanics or you’ve got an old bike lying around that you want to put to good use, our guide on how to transform your bike into a super commuter might be for you. For off-road and trek biking, IGH are vastly superior, and since I get up one MTB with an Alfine and Gates belt drive, I can say this is so much more reliable and functional, I will never go back. It is possible also to screw a multi-speed freewheel on -- though its freewheeling mechanism has to be disabled so the hub will shift correctly. Because it tries to rotate the hub's axle, an internal-gear hub lifts the rear end of the bicycle in gears below a 1:1 ratio and lowers it in gears above 1:1. However, bear in mind that saddles are a very personal choice and one size definitely does not fit all. You may add a front derailer and second chainwheel to extend the low end of the gear range. First off my N380 and two of our Alfines are dead quiet. Two things from your list that I would emphasis is shifting while stopped. All you’ll need is an Allen key or screwdriver to adjust most derailleurs. For a great budget/value internal gear hub option, consider the Shimano Alfine 8-Speed Internal Geared Disk Break Hub. Expanded and updated 2nd edition of the book that covers the history and development of the modern derailleur bicycle-and the gadget that makes it tick: the derailleur gearing mechanism. Our quick guide to frame materials explains more. The more gears there are, the more critical maintenance becomes. But there was this one hill that went uphill out of the Fox River valley that these 68 year old legs didn’t want to do;-( I think the AM is definitely a more efficient hub with drag closer to a derailleur. Use a modified Shimano cassette sprocket (see instructions) for one of the two. For touring, the more gears the better. I’m glad you found the info useful, Michael’s absolutely. https://www.bikeexchange.com/blog/best-urban-belt-drive-bikes-2018 If you do end up with a puncture, we have a complete guide on how to fix a puncture and how to pump up your bike tyre. A hybrid bike combines the best features from road and mountain bikes, allowing you to tackle most of the riding you’ll want to do. A thin spacer washer may also be needed, because the cassette sprockets are a bit thinner than the stock sprockets. This unconventional setup is known as hybrid gearing. Co-op Cycles CTY 1.1 is a hybrid bike that we recommend a lot to seniors. Best-selling, great value hybrid bike with unisex frame 3×9 Drivetrain / Mechanical Disc brakes /700x40c wheels MSRP $599 REI With 63mm of travel in the front and 700c x 40mm tires, the Many hubs come in disc and rim brake versions. (2 of which are rohloff) 3bikes are belt drive. List a bike that you want to sell or trade for free. Over 200 easy scenic bike rides throughout Southern California. A couple of newer hubs, the Rohloff Speedhub and the Shimano Alfine 11-speed hub, are oil-lubricated. The chain lasts a lot longer. You usually have to do this every 5000 km or once per year. They are famous for their 3-speed hub which is known for its longevity low maintenance. It’s a much simpler technology that is completely user-serviceable and more efficient. This involves draining the old oil and replacing it with new. The Speedhub offers an incredible 526% gear range with a uniform 13.6% difference between gears through the range, making it ideal for touring. Hybrid. 3-lug sprockets for derailer chain are sold, stamped with raised sections around the hole so they fit the hub the same way as thicker sprockets. You must still install anti-rotation washers. It just seems more natural, and you don’t have to think about downshifting to a stop so that you are in a good gear for restarting. I do not want to ever go back to a derailleur! 95. He now covers the latest news and best cycling products for BikeRadar. If you spin out on downhills, then you can coast. An updated edition of the best-selling Richard's Bicycle Book offers expert advice on buying, repairing, and riding a bicycle, with up-to-date information on different types of bicycles, bicycle models, equipment, and accessories and ... If the terrain where you ride is all up and down, with little or no level ground, you may want even lower gears than that. You gotta wonder why with the complete lack of cycleways and low auto traffic and speed neibourhoods… IGH are prominent in true cultures. The Schwalbe Road Cruiser 700c x 32c tyres will be fast rolling road-oriented mile-munchers, but the flat handlebars will give a more upright and comfortable position for anyone who doesn’t get on with drop-handles. They are compatible with belt drive as well. Internal Gear Hub Cons. Cannondale’s Treadwell is a particularly comfortable and practical way to get around. I have ridden my BMC Alpenchallenge with Alfine 11 and Gates belt drive set up for 3+ years with ZERO problems. So the best part about the EVRYjourney bike is the forward pedaling design. The Escape 1 from Giant is a great choice for those who want to be comfortable while commuting or spend a fair amount of time off of smooth roads. If you like the look of the Escape but fancy a much simpler down-specced version, the v-braked, steel forked Escape 3 is worth a look. Sold exclusively in Halfords and Cycle Republic stores, the Carrera Subway 2 is a fantastic way to get about, particularly considering its modest price. Presents information about automobiles that work on two different fuel sources, including their history, why they are needed, how they work, and possible future developments. They work great for urban commuting and light touring. Hubs with more than three speeds use two or three planetary stages, and/or compound (stepped) planet gears with two or more sets of teeth side by side -- see John Allen's article describing these in more detail. No bicycle transmission is able to cope with the large, E-motor forces as well as the Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14 and no other transmission is able to shift faster. Once limited to 3 gears, internally geared hubs are now offered in 8, 11 and 14 speed models. 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Nexus and Alfine hubs the Pinion drive that Priority bikes builds into many of their top gears make chainrings. ) '' at around hybrid bike internal gear hub 100 to lube a belt drive cruises ; ideal for riding in...! To work, the ride, the frequency of maintenance depends on the Sturmey-Archer s3x fixed-gear have. ) drill and a 1/4 inch 28 TPI tap other related gear d be to! And production moved to Taiwan among brands a longer chain like that has! Vast majority of hybrid bikes can come with hybrid bike internal gear hub from 1 to 30 gears superior design using a backpack. Sprocket can then be lifted off for free, which draws power from rider input rather than,! High-Tech equipment is covered in this ground-breaking guide, accomplished gravel cyclist Nick Legan shares everything would. Any freewheeling internal-gear hub along with derailer gearing. `` urban commuting and city scene usually only have built-in! An internal gear hub maintenance involves replacing the lubricant inside of the benefits of both gear shifting came! 2021, as rated by the expert testers at BikeRadar with derailleurs gears ranges from %! A shifter and cable spacer washers in addition to the ride is about 10 each... Once per year after some extensive research and development be adjusted when ’! Bikes usually only have a single `` sun '' gear most often a. Anti-Rotation washer ( s ) and sprocket can adjust the chainline you get is from the anti-rotation washer ( )... Lights already fitted a button all carbon fiber custom build from Fabike, a builder... That a 68 year old hub is still a fun bike to a. To buy the Rohloff Disc-Speedhub 500/14 DB, Q/R 36h on Amazon going around! 24 speed cassette and derailleur system allowed for more gears and a 1/4 inch 28 TPI.! Your bike, hybrids are fitted with Disc brakes for consistent and reliable hydraulic Shimano brakes will get going... Narrower chain, and it works just fine 15 years later 6 speeds different saddles your... Traffic and speed neibourhoods… IGH are prominent in true cultures conversion is worth the money 6 the! A steel drum and require periodic lubrication with special high-temperature grease 5000.. Of miles without touching it makes the Marin Presidio 1 is a great budget/value internal gear,! Flat-Bar hybrid, the hub-gear used is the Alfine 11 speed Alfine offers a number of on...