"Overkill" gearing on most bicycles
 

Manufacturers should look at providing three gear bicycles again. I
find, for myself anyway, that an 18 speed gear system is "overkill"
for the bicycle commute everyday. Single speed cranks are not enough
and multi-speeds require too much servicing. A single sprocket on the
wheel and three sprockets on the crank would do the job for most
cycalists.

"Overkill" gearing on most bicycles
 

On 15/01/12 15:32, Handel Barz wrote:
Manufacturers should look at providing three gear bicycles again.

Some of them never stopped making them... (my Brom is a 3 speed)

find, for myself anyway, that an 18 speed gear system is "overkill"
for the bicycle commute everyday. Single speed cranks are not enough
and multi-speeds require too much servicing. A single sprocket on the
wheel and three sprockets on the crank would do the job for most
cycalists.

hub gears need least servicing and will have chains last longer too.
They're also good for allowing the chain to be more enclosed which again
means less servicing.

Plenty of options available with hub gears. My urban hack is a Moulton
TSR8 with hub gearing. The Bromn does okay with 3, but it's nice to
have a few more.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

"Overkill" gearing on most bicycles
 

On 27 Jan, 10:31, Peter Clinch wrote:

hub gears need least servicing and will have chains last longer too.
They're also good for allowing the chain to be more enclosed which again
means less servicing.

Plenty of options available with hub gears. *My urban hack is a Moulton
TSR8 with hub gearing. *The Bromn does okay with 3, but it's nice to
have a few more.


It is true that hub gears require the least servicing and are a good
choice for everyday commuters but they are less effective than
external gears, meaning harder work for same speed.
We´re talking about percentages here so its not a huge deal for the
average short ride, but over a longer trip it will make an impact.

There is also a combination of the two, where there is a 3 speed
geared hub with an external 9speed casette, providing 27 gears in
total.
http://www.sram.com/sram/urban/products/dual-drive-27

i would say that for a longer commuter distance (say over 30 minutes)
you should choose, or at least consider an external gear, shorter
distances would almost default to hub gear.

Still, the arguably best solution is a fixed, or single speed and a
well considered gearing ratio.
Its close to 100% efficient and is virtually service-free but demands
a relatively steady speed.