best internal shifting hub?

What is the best internal shifting hub on these important points:
- reasonably lightweight compared to a road group
- reliable operation
- parts are available from the usual channels, not some guy working
out of his garage.
- has more than 3 speeds.

In rec.bicycles.tech Khoomei wrote:

What is the best internal shifting hub on these important points:
- reasonably lightweight compared to a road group
- reliable operation
- parts are available from the usual channels, not some guy working
out of his garage.
- has more than 3 speeds.

The 14-speed Rohloff Speedhub should satisfy all these requirements (and
many more), especially as you didn't specify any price limitations. See:

http://www.rohloff.de/?p=PRODUKTE/SPEEDHUB

It's about $800, available for example from Harris Cyclery.

-as

RE/
What is the best internal shifting hub on these important points:
- reasonably lightweight compared to a road group
- reliable operation
- parts are available from the usual channels, not some guy working
out of his garage.
- has more than 3 speeds.

Depending on one's definition of "reasonably lightweight", there may not be much
left.

Rohloff adds about two pounds to the bike, is less efficient, makes considerable
noise, and costs an arm and a leg.


I just bought a second one for my hardtail.
-----------------------
PeteCresswell

How about for drop bars as well?

On 27 Jul 2003 21:16:31 GMT, Antti Salonen
wrote:

In rec.bicycles.tech Khoomei wrote:

What is the best internal shifting hub on these important points:
- reasonably lightweight compared to a road group
- reliable operation
- parts are available from the usual channels, not some guy working
out of his garage.
- has more than 3 speeds.

The 14-speed Rohloff Speedhub should satisfy all these requirements (and
many more), especially as you didn't specify any price limitations. See:

http://www.rohloff.de/?p=PRODUKTE/SPEEDHUB

It's about $800, available for example from Harris Cyclery.

-as

Khoomei wrote:
How about for drop bars as well?

See: http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/rohloff.html

Scroll down about 2/3 of the way.

Sheldon "Roll On" Brown
+-----------------------------------+
| Habit is the nursery of errors. |
| --Victor Hugo |
+-----------------------------------+
Harris Cyclery, West Newton, Massachusetts
Phone 617-244-9772 FAX 617-244-1041
http://harriscyclery.com
Hard-to-find parts shipped Worldwide
http://captainbike.com http://sheldonbrown.com

On Sun, 27 Jul 2003 21:59:06 -0400, Sheldon Brown
wrote:

Khoomei wrote:
How about for drop bars as well?

See: http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/rohloff.html

Scroll down about 2/3 of the way.

I never thought I'd see the return of stem shifters!

That Surly with 2 sets of bars is awesome.

"Tuva or Bust!"
http://www.fotuva.org

Khoomei wrote:

How about for drop bars as well?

A German company (Norwid) makes a separable road
handlebar suitable for mounting the Rohloff twist grip.
Last I heard, these bars were available through Rohloff's
US office (contact info at www.rohloffusa.com).

Or you can make your own twist grip:
http://www.qnet.com/~crux/twist.html


Tom Ace

Does this Rohloff, or the other new internal-gear hubs available these
days, have the same design issue that Jobst has refered to existing in
the Sturmey-Archer hubs that pitched him off the bike?

Also, how loud are these things? I am getting spoiled by my quiet
shimano one-speed freewheel!

Thanks!

Jennifer D

Khoomei wrote:

What is the best internal shifting hub on these important points:
- reasonably lightweight compared to a road group
- reliable operation
- parts are available from the usual channels, not some guy working
out of his garage.
- has more than 3 speeds.

It seems like all gearhubs from 4 to 14 speeds weigh about the same
1.7 kg, give or take. With some you get a brake, making those
effectively a little lighter.

Only the Rohloff Speedhub gives step sizes between gears that compare
to a road group. However, Sachs's and Shimano's 7 speed hubs give
overall ranges similar to that of a road bike. (Road bike with 53/39
crank and 12-23 block: 260% Sachs/SRAM 7 speed: 303% Shimano Nexus
7-speed: 244%)

If you need lots of gearing range and you can afford the Rohloff, then
that's the one for you. I have had two, and I don't think anyone
would find reason to switch back once accustomed to the Rohloff.

If the price of the Rohloff is too much committment and/or you would
like a drum brake, I recommend the Sachs/SRAM Spectro 7 speed. It is
the most free-running gearhub (with more than 3 speeds) I have used,
it seems quite durable, and the brake works consistently with minimal
fade.

Chalo Colina

If you need lots of gearing range and you can afford the Rohloff, then
that's the one for you. I have had two, and I don't think anyone
would find reason to switch back once accustomed to the Rohloff.

Chalo Colina



I am interested in hearing a little more from Chalo on the Rohloff, and
his reasons for buying them. (Chalo, aka Bluto is knowledgeable about
machining, materials and manufacturing, and is a super-size kind of
fellow.)

Chalo, have you ever taken one apart, either out of curiosity or
necessity? If so, did inspecting the innards lower or raise your
initial evaluation?

--
Ted Bennett
Portland OR