Steve does put it quite well. And have to agree with Jim T.'s addition. Had an 8 speed IGH bike setup for about a year. Changing a flat tire in winter was an adventure, to say the least.
That said, in less extreme climates can see the appeal. But my chain tensioning attemps were sub-optimal. Enough to make a sad realization that single speed is probably beyond my capabilities. And as for quick releases, guess I'm not qualified to respond there either. One bike bolt on, two with Pitlocks. Only one with q/r. The Shimano 8 speed gear jumps are not evenly spaced. And the range I preferred was always in between two gears. Also, one can use a mechanical chain cleaner a lot easier on a derailer equipped bike. Something that makes a chore in winter slightly (just barely ever so) easier. Eric Platt St. Paul, MN On Dec 6, 2:16�pm, Steve Palincsar <palin...@his.com> wrote: > On Sun, 2009-12-06 at 12:02 -0800, cyclotourist wrote: > > I think using one in wet & mucky conditions would be a pretty good set > > up. �I wouldn't want one as I'm always changing flats due to > > thorns/debris and don't want to mess w/ an IGH. �Also, IGHs seem like > > a cool deal for kids who are learning to shift and/or someone learning > > or re-learning to ride. �Simplicity is nice! > > Other than needing to keep pedalling while the shift completes, what's > any more difficult about derailleur shifting than IG hub shifting? �I > find brifter action confusing - but then, I seem to be the only one who > does, and I find twist grip shifters confusing, too. �Triggers, bar ends > and down tube shifters all make perfect sense. > > And when it comes to "simplicity" the only thing "simple" about an > internal geared hub is that it's all hidden inside the hub shell. �It's > far more complex mechanically than a derailleur drive train, it's just > that you can't see it. > > And when it comes to removing a wheel, either to transport the bike or > to fix a flat, derailleur wins hands down. �There are no complicated > linkages to remove, and you have quick releases to allow for tool-free > opening. > > Maintenance? �Removing the chain's no more difficult with one or the > other, although obviously tensioning the chain correctly is harder with > an internal geared hub than a derailleur, especially if you have > vertical dropouts. �Can cleaning a derailleur be all that hard? > > I'd say the bottom line is, IG hubs have one advantage: you can shift > without moving the cranks. > > > > > > > On Sun, Dec 6, 2009 at 10:38 AM, Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery > > <thill....@gmail.com> wrote: > > > � � � � (BTW, I'm cringing at the idea of installing one of these > > � � � � heavy/draggy/ > > � � � � hard-to-fix hubs on a fine bicycle like a Rambouillet, which > > � � � � will > > � � � � require strange cable routing, a chain tensioner, etc. I have > > � � � � worked > > � � � � on and ridden MANY of these, and still don't fully understand > > � � � � the > > � � � � appeal for most bikes... What the heck is wrong with modern > > � � � � derailleurs?)- Hide quoted text - > > - Show quoted text - -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bu...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
