Geared hub commuter

merc-blue

merc-blue

Likes Bikes and Dirt
Im thinking of building a new commutter with a geared hub.
While they are heavy the system is just so clean and simple i don know why all commuters dont have them..
I tossing up between a "hybrid" style bike or a full on roadie with a geared hub and flat bars.

would like peoples opinions, also anyone know of a good light rigid hybrid frame worth investigating.
 
J

jarryd1986

Likes Bikes
If you are talking about an internal geared hub I believe there was a recent thread and the general verdict was that the hub was a great idea however not solid enough to withstand the demands, wear and tear of high mileage!

Goodluck either way!

Jarryd
 
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Techno Destructo

Techno Destructo

Riding In Peace
http://forums.farkin.net/showthread.php?t=151005
http://www.farkin.net/forums/showthread.php?t=95128&highlight=internally+geared
http://www.farkin.net/forums/showthread.php?t=118398&highlight=internally+geared
http://www.farkin.net/forums/showthread.php?t=112382&highlight=internally+geared

Many threads that talk about internally geared hubs. Search for "internally geared".

Get as aggressive bike as you can, if you're going to be regularly riding it.

Hybrids are "dead ends" that you'll regret later.

Aggressive flat-bar roadies are my pick.
 
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Tomas

Tomas

my mum says im cool
Word TD. Hybrids - good at nothing, crap at everything. Trust me. Have ridden more than some of these kids have had hot dinners!
 
rek

rek

Likes Dirt
If you are looking at a serious hub-geared utility bike, I am looking at selling my rigid MTB-based Rohloff hub equipped bike, that I used as a commuter (mudgards, chainguard, rack, etc.) I talk about it a bit in the first thread TD linked to. I've been meaning to take photos and post it up on the for sale boards here for a week or so now, might get around to it this arvo.

It was perfect when I lived in Ivanhoe (99% sealed roads), and could go practically forever without needing a clean even in the wet. But I've just moved to Eltham, and when it rains the unsealed Yarra Trail paths kick up a heap of mud/sloshy paste, which gets inside the chainguard and makes chain cleaning/maintenance headaches reappear :(

I did a lot of research into building up that bike, and this question seems to pop up quite a bit, so when I get a chance I might document the important considerations in getting a good gearhub commuter built up.
 
T

The Mad Hippie

Likes Bikes
There are some more hub geared bikes on the market now that are well away from the typical hybrid sit up style. The Cube Hooper has the Alfine groupset and a very race style geometry and is aimed at someone who wants a bling commuter. There is also the Charge Tap and Mixer which use the Nexus and Alfine respectively. These are CroMo frames with a real flat bar roadie feel and look quite cool too. I road a bike with a Nu Vinci hub a while back and while it was mad heavy the hub was freaky with no indexing, just a completly linear gear change all the way from low to high and back.
The Alfine has been used in DH bikes so should be well strong enough for a commuter.
Evan
 
axertes

axertes

Likes Dirt
Well there's always the Giant fallback: http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-AU/bikes/road/2173/31844/

I'd like to build one up myself with a steel frame, Alfine groupset, mech discs (so I can go drop bars if I want). Maybe based on this: http://www.salsacycles.com/laCruzComp08.html

Just wish it had all the braze-ons for some loaded commuting/light touring, it's hard to get these sorts of frames that are disc compatible.

Or if you're happy with a frame of questionable quality and origin... http://www.cellbikes.com.au/p_565_C...ernal_8_hub__Low_Maintenance_Easy_City_Riding. The full Alfine gruppo for $800 seems great... you could ditch the frame later on anyway.

rek said:
If you are looking at a serious hub-geared utility bike, I am looking at selling my rigid MTB-based Rohloff hub equipped bike, that I used as a commuter (mudgards, chainguard, rack, etc.) I talk about it a bit in the first thread TD linked to. I've been meaning to take photos and post it up on the for sale boards here for a week or so now, might get around to it this arvo.
Click to expand...
Please link it here. Not that I'm going to buy it, but I'm very curious.
 
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axertes

axertes

Likes Dirt
RCOH said:
Buy a Surly Cross Check frame & a Cell internally geared hybrid then swap the parts and throw out the cell frame.

Should cost around $1500. That's what I would do and it is what Cheeky Monkey have done a number of times.
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That's the sorta thing I was getting at with the Cell bike. The Cross Check doesn't have disc mounts though :(

The Salsa La Cruz does...

Then I'd get a stem, bars, seatpost, saddle, Avid BB7s... and start saving for new wheels.

Edit: crap, the La Cruz doesn't have an EBB or horizontal dropouts, and the rear wheel spacing is 135mm.
 
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rek

rek

Likes Dirt
The disc capable gearhub-friendly off the rack framesets that seem to be the most easily available, are the Kona Unit/Explosif (sliding dropouts), and the Cannondale 1FG (EBB). I think the Konas are only available in 29" now.

Or you could run that Surly frame with a front fork that has disc mounts, then you at least have discs where they matter most. Rim brakes on the rear aren't so bad actually, as it simplifies the task of rack/mudguard compatibility.

Don't forget the leverage ratio is different between flat-bar and drop-bar brake levers (which are more in line with canti leverage). If you wanted to go drop-bar eventually you'd want to get the Avid BB7R (Road) version, and get some cantilever brake-levers for the time being.

axertes said:
Please link it here. Not that I'm going to buy it, but I'm very curious.
Click to expand...
No worries, it sold very quickly! Here is the for sale thread with pics etc. http://forums.farkin.net/showthread.php?t=155079 If I need to tempt anyone here, I think I have a spare unused Alfine-compatible Chainglider about the shed.. ;)

Post of info is here http://forums.farkin.net/showpost.php?p=1635821&postcount=13, if you want any more info on the build just ask...
 
merc-blue

merc-blue

Likes Bikes and Dirt
The charge mixer looks like a nice ready to go package,
I was recently in BSC and saw some Rohloff hubbed cannondales that were causing great reaction from my pants.

The alfine is meant to be a much better setup and whacking in a alfine groupset into a surly frame is certainly looking like a good thing,
The bike im ridig at the moment is abit of a whore and way to short, so im gonna start moving on getting a frameset atleast.
 
merc-blue

merc-blue

Likes Bikes and Dirt
All 3.
Matt black bikes with red hubs. looked horn, hub was a giveaway on spec but the price was painful.

It would have been like ordering a high class escort, it would be great but when you rode it you would be thinking, is this really worth the extra cost
 
LTR

LTR

Annoys the hell out of Grip!
I do indeed recommend internal gearing.

Ive been running Shimano Alfine on the XC bike for the past 6000km and it hasn't missed a beat! Bit tricky to setup and take the wheel out, but dead easy to tune. Yes its a bit heavier, but who has the quietest, quickest shifting bike on the trails!? Me.

Got some cash ready to splash on a Rohloff, but will only purchase it once I've managed to destroy this Alfine! Might be a while.
 
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DW-1

DW-1

Dirt Works
ok... this thread has me very interested as I'm about to build my own version of the super commuter.

Starting with the soon to be available Salsa Fargo frame and fork.

rims will be DT Swiss TK7.1d, Competition spokes, Pro Lock nipples.

I'd like to use a dynamo front hub. But don't know a lot about them. The Schmidt was recomended to me. Does anyone have experiance with them (good? - bad?)

then... the front light... Supernova E3 triple www.supernova-lights.com/newsite/e3_triple.html and the E3 rear light www.supernova-lights.com/newsite/e3_tail_light.html

I was intending to use a Rohloff rear hub.

Salsa Promoto 11 degree flat bars and old school (mid 90's) Control Tech team issue bar ends.

Brooks saddle and Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres. Race Face headset, Salsa Shaft seatpost, Race Face cranks and Syncros AM stem (chose the AM over the lighter FL stem for the sake of less than 40g).

Elvis.
 
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LTR

LTR

Annoys the hell out of Grip!
DW-1 said:
I'd like to use a dynamo front hub. But don't know a lot about them. The Schmidt was recomended to me. Does anyone have experiance with them (good? - bad?)

then... the front light... Supernova E3 triple www.supernova-lights.com/newsite/e3_triple.html and the E3 rear light www.supernova-lights.com/newsite/e3_tail_light.html

Elvis.
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Build sounds great mate!

Schmidt are pretty much the best in the industry. They cost a lot of money, but will last a lifetime! The supernova lights are really nice... they are super bright! Another brand to check out regarding the lights is B&M. http://www.bumm.de/index-e.html

Cant wait to see the finished product!
 
Techno Destructo

Techno Destructo

Riding In Peace
merc-blue said:
It would have been like ordering a high class escort, it would be great but when you rode it you would be thinking, is this really worth the extra cost
Click to expand...
Or wine for that matter. But I totally agree. That Bad Boy Rohloff was probably my dream "stock" commuter. I think they only sold it in Europe though? Probably because there'd be more than the 3-4 commuters in Australia with that kind of money to spend on something without an engine... :rolleyes:
 
Techno Destructo

Techno Destructo

Riding In Peace
Elvis, for front lights, I'd recommend two of the Cateye EL-4000 (I think that's what it's called) lights. 10m waterproof, so they'll never be killed by the rain, and they're pretty damn bright. Probably cost you less as well.
 
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