I've owned a few sets of internal geared hubs, and here is what I have concluded:
First, to answer the SA question, I really like the new generation Sunrace/SA 8-speed drum hubs. Aside from the weight (they ARE a bit on the heavy side; not NuVinci heavy, but heavy enough), they shift nicely, they have a gorgeous finish and are relatively inexpensive (compared to the SRAM P5 / S7 / iMotion hubs, or the Shimano Nexus/ Alfine hubs. Plus they offer a drum version, along with matching front dynamo/drum hub, which makes them a great choice for retrofitting older bikes that don't have rim brakes. Overall I'd call them an excellent value. I have also used the 3-speed drum hubs for two Gazelle restorations (since the spacing on the 3 speed hub enabled me to swap out the Sachs Torpedo single speed coaster hubs that came with the bikes without having to cold set the frames), and they have worked great. The gear range doesn't come close to the 8 speed, but they enabled me to add gearing and better brakes to the Gazelles (along with a dynamo). I like that Sunrace offers lots of different gearing and brake options... there's certain to be a SA hub to suit a variety of needs. I have taken a bit of a shining to the SRAM P5 (5-speed freehub). I built up a wheel with the P5 for my wife's 1985 Stumpjumper Sport, since the spacing (126mm) was compatible with the frame. The external clickbox is a bit funky, and can be rather tricky to set up properly (especially if, like me you feel compelled to mess with the cable length and the housing, requiring you to preload the clickbox with just the right length of cable). But once set up it has an almost dreamy smoothness to it that I really love. I also laced up a SRAM S7 for my old '85 Rockhopper. Feels exactly like the P5, but with 2 more gears. I love these hubs. I have also owned a Shimano Nexus 7 speed coaster on a retro-style cruiser. The shifting was flawless, but unfortunately I've lost any leftover nostalgia for coaster hubs, so I sold the bike. And I also laced up an 8-speed Alfine disc hub for use on my Surly Karate Monkey... THAT was the best of the IG hubs I've owned, and is actually suitable for offroad. I also ran it (for a short time) on my Salsa Fargo (in combination with the Alfine chain tensioner and a front derailleur, enabling a 2x8 setup). That setup worked remarkably well. The Alfine is one nice hub. Finally, I've RIDDEN a Rohloff hub, which was most impressive (as it should be for the lofty price it commands), but don't currently own one. I suspect one day I will. I'm anxiously awaiting to test ride Tom Allingham's Bomba with Rohloff hub... That may just the tipping point for me, where I'd sell off all my other IG bikes and build a Rohloff up for my Bomba... In the end, strangely enough I STILL currently prefer a derailleured drivetrain. For certain applications, including riding in foul weather, I would prefer an IG hub. But something about the feel (almost as if the IG is a tad more delicate, and also doesn't give you the same pedalling efficiency as a derailleured drivetrain) that keeps me gravitating to derailleured setups. I still own a few IG hubbed rides, and plan to hold on to them. My favorite build (using the SA drum hubs) was "Drumpy", a 1984 Stumpjumper that I turned into an all-arounder/cruiser for my brother. Pics: http://tinyurl.com/26mk55t Peace, BB On Oct 14, 8:07 pm, "Allingham II, Thomas J" <thomas.alling...@skadden.com> wrote: > Bobby Birmingham has a lot of (positive) experience with the 8 speeds. > > I have an '80s Fuji MTB with an 8 speed w/ the drum brake, which I like a lot. > > ________________________________ > From: rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com > [mailto:rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of nawr...@comcast.net > Sent: Friday, October 14, 2011 7:52 PM > To: rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com > Subject: [RBW] Sturmey Archer Hub > > I'm gonna piggyback on Patrick's post. Has anyone had any experience with > the Sturmey Archer 5 or 8 speed hub? I am thinking of trying one on the > SimpleOne. > > Dave Nawrocki > Fort Collins, CO > > ________________________________ > From: "PATRICK MOORE" <bertin...@gmail.com> > To: "rbw-owners-bunch" <rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com> > Sent: Friday, October 14, 2011 5:19:47 PM > Subject: [RBW] FS: 1980 Sturmey Archer AG hub > > 36 hole, very clean, bearings smooth, dynamo part charges per previous > owner. I've not used it. Just right for that Roadeo. Make offer. Trade > suggestions welcome. > > (I bought it thinking it was a SA "Dynohub.") > > -- > Patrick Moore > Albuquerque, NM > For professional resumes, contact > Patrick Moore, ACRWhttp://resumespecialties.com/index.html > > -- > 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-bunch@googlegroups.com. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > For more options, visit this group > athttp://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. > > -- > 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-bunch@googlegroups.com. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > For more options, visit this group > athttp://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. > > --------------------------------------------------------------------------- > --- > **************************************************** > > To ensure compliance with Treasury Department regulations, we advise you > that, unless otherwise expressly indicated, any federal tax advice contained > in this message was not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, > for the purpose of (i) avoiding tax-related penalties under the Internal > Revenue Code or applicable state or local tax law provisions or (ii) > promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any tax-related matters > addressed herein. > **************************************************** > **************************************************** > > This email (and any attachments thereto) is intended only for use by the > addressee(s) named herein and may contain legally privileged and/or > confidential information. 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