mtb101
Likes Bikes and Dirt
Warning long post!
A bit of background:
Well after commuting on the single speeder 29 rigid for 12 months reckon it's time to further enhance the experience. Some would say it's a backward step or pedal.
My commute is around 9k in and 20k home via single track - mostly flattish some climbs, nothing I can't muscle up on.
Believe me since commuting single speed I have legs of steel, I can also spin at over 100 cadence quite comfortably. Running a 33:18 means I spin out at about 28kph, climbing wise can just get up 3-5% climbs before I reckon somethings going to break i.e. chain or me.
So as my commute is also a bit of a training session, there are lots of sneaky climbs I can do to get my vertical ascent up to around 350-400 metres for ride home - this is a killer mid week workout.
But ..... we all know how we like to conquer the really gnarly climbs (can do them all on 29 HT 27 speed) but of course the old rigid just aren't too good on the finer points of climbing - can't exactly weave around a rut if you know what I mean. Of course the 29er HT comes out for big rides, but as a commuter, too much bike and don't need the wear and tear for the ks I am doing.
Enter the Internal Hub:
So there's Shimano, Rohloff, SRAM, Sturmey Archer, NuVinci. Well only need a 3 speed I reckon: 33:22, 18, 16, but current units aren't really robust enough or recommended for off road. There's considerations of weight (1kg - 2kg), weather the unit can withstand off-road abuse, i.e. shifting loads, mud, ratios - even vibration. Most units are commuter type road.
After some research and considerations of where I can get one online: Shimano make 2 Hubs Alfine 8 & 11 that have a disc brake provision. Alfine 11 is their robust off-roader (around $500+), the 8 ($230) should cut is as well I'm hoping. So went for the 8 speed Alfine Internal Geared Hub.
Reckon with a internal hub the 29er Rigid going to be a weapon on the commute. So will post some pics once I get it all set up if anyone's interested.
A bit of background:
Well after commuting on the single speeder 29 rigid for 12 months reckon it's time to further enhance the experience. Some would say it's a backward step or pedal.
My commute is around 9k in and 20k home via single track - mostly flattish some climbs, nothing I can't muscle up on.
Believe me since commuting single speed I have legs of steel, I can also spin at over 100 cadence quite comfortably. Running a 33:18 means I spin out at about 28kph, climbing wise can just get up 3-5% climbs before I reckon somethings going to break i.e. chain or me.
So as my commute is also a bit of a training session, there are lots of sneaky climbs I can do to get my vertical ascent up to around 350-400 metres for ride home - this is a killer mid week workout.
But ..... we all know how we like to conquer the really gnarly climbs (can do them all on 29 HT 27 speed) but of course the old rigid just aren't too good on the finer points of climbing - can't exactly weave around a rut if you know what I mean. Of course the 29er HT comes out for big rides, but as a commuter, too much bike and don't need the wear and tear for the ks I am doing.
Enter the Internal Hub:
So there's Shimano, Rohloff, SRAM, Sturmey Archer, NuVinci. Well only need a 3 speed I reckon: 33:22, 18, 16, but current units aren't really robust enough or recommended for off road. There's considerations of weight (1kg - 2kg), weather the unit can withstand off-road abuse, i.e. shifting loads, mud, ratios - even vibration. Most units are commuter type road.
After some research and considerations of where I can get one online: Shimano make 2 Hubs Alfine 8 & 11 that have a disc brake provision. Alfine 11 is their robust off-roader (around $500+), the 8 ($230) should cut is as well I'm hoping. So went for the 8 speed Alfine Internal Geared Hub.
Reckon with a internal hub the 29er Rigid going to be a weapon on the commute. So will post some pics once I get it all set up if anyone's interested.