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Hub gear bike dilemma

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    #2
    beauf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 22,651 ✭✭✭✭beauf


    I like the Boardman and the Cube.

    What do you like about the hub gear. Always thought about getting one myself for the commute.


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    #3
    Canis Lupus
    Registered Users Posts: 9,893 ✭✭✭Canis Lupus


    Drop bars aren't a con. Although the bar end shift can be a pain depending on tastes. I liked it for touring as it's a simple design with less to go wrong but now that I use the bike for commuting I'm starting to think about changing over to a standard drop bar shifter.


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    #4
    droidus
    Registered Users Posts: 1,545 ✭✭✭droidus


    Canis Lupus wrote: »
    Drop bars aren't a con. Although the bar end shift can be a pain depending on tastes. I liked it for touring as it's a simple design with less to go wrong but now that I use the bike for commuting I'm starting to think about changing over to a standard drop bar shifter.

    Yeah, its the bar end shifter that Im worried about. Not sure about changing to drops, and that seems particularly impractical for commuting.


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    #5
    droidus
    Registered Users Posts: 1,545 ✭✭✭droidus


    beauf wrote: »
    I like the Boardman and the Cube.

    What do you like about the hub gear. Always thought about getting one myself for the commute.

    The ability to change while stopped, simplicity... the thing is bulletproof and maintenance free.

    Ive done about 30,000 miles on it over 8 years and apart from having to get the chain tightened or changed Ive had no problems with the hub at all up until recently - and thats an issue with the cassette shifter unit, a €15 plastic assembly on the outside of the hub.

    Cons are weight and gear ratios, but you get used to that. Tempted to go up to Alfine 11, but have heard reports that its less reliable.


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    #6
    cdaly_
    Registered Users Posts: 6,440 ✭✭✭cdaly_


    Canis Lupus wrote: »
    Drop bars aren't a con. Although the bar end shift can be a pain depending on tastes. I liked it for touring as it's a simple design with less to go wrong but now that I use the bike for commuting I'm starting to think about changing over to a standard drop bar shifter.

    I've been using the bar end shifters for about 3 years now both commuting and touring/audax. I don't even have to think about changing gear, it's just an automatic action. I wouldn't bother with the expense of brake lever shifters for the commute...


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    #7
    Canis Lupus
    Registered Users Posts: 9,893 ✭✭✭Canis Lupus


    cdaly_ wrote: »
    I've been using the bar end shifters for about 3 years now both commuting and touring/audax. I don't even have to think about changing gear, it's just an automatic action. I wouldn't bother with the expense of brake lever shifters for the commute...

    It just gets on muh tits having to move off the hoods. It's not a big deal.

    OP drops aren't impractical for commuting. I said it recently in another thread, once you go drops you'll never go back. They're awesome.


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    #8
    droidus
    Registered Users Posts: 1,545 ✭✭✭droidus


    Hmm... thanks. Ive been leaning that way, but having never used drops I would like to try the bike first, which isn't an option...


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    #9
    tomasrojo
    Registered Users Posts: 11,742 ✭✭✭✭tomasrojo


    How do people with hub gears find dealing with punctures?

    I've been riding a hub-geared bakfiets for well over a year, but I've yet to have a puncture, so I'm sure one is in the offing.


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    #10
    droidus
    Registered Users Posts: 1,545 ✭✭✭droidus


    I can only speak for the Alfine 8, but its fine. There's a little nut that secures the cable to the hub you have to slide out, and thats pretty much it. Just make sure the dots are aligned properly when you put the wheel back on.


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    #11
    tomasrojo
    Registered Users Posts: 11,742 ✭✭✭✭tomasrojo


    I have roller brakes too, so there's quite a lot to undo and then redo. I'm assuming I'll have to patch the puncture without removing the wheel, which should definitely be possible, mostly, but I'm really not looking forward to it.


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    #12
    droidus
    Registered Users Posts: 1,545 ✭✭✭droidus


    I confess I went to the LBS the first few times.


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    #13
    Bluefoam
    Registered Users Posts: 7,711 ✭✭✭Bluefoam


    I have a Charge Tap (Nexus 9) for about 8-10 years now... It's great, but heavy. Not great at going up the mountains, but perfect for around town.

    Have to say, I wouldn't be keen to have one of the new ones with the GB logo on the side...


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    #14
    beauf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 22,651 ✭✭✭✭beauf


    droidus wrote: »
    The ability to change while stopped, simplicity... the thing is bulletproof and maintenance free.

    Ive done about 30,000 miles on it over 8 years and apart from having to get the chain tightened or changed Ive had no problems with the hub at all up until recently - and thats an issue with the cassette shifter unit, a €15 plastic assembly on the outside of the hub.

    Cons are weight and gear ratios, but you get used to that. Tempted to go up to Alfine 11, but have heard reports that its less reliable.

    Thanks for the reply/ I like the idea of them. I find in the rain/winter my MTB comuter gears get pretty gunked up, so I have to clean them after a few weeks of bad weather. I found the wet lube made it worse so stick with dry and just apply it more often and it makes it easier to clean. Also the hanger gets bent and misaligned in bikes racks easily. The idea of not having that hassle is appealing.


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    #15
    tomasrojo
    Registered Users Posts: 11,742 ✭✭✭✭tomasrojo


    After over a year of use of (mostly) a hub-geared bakfiets and a standard touring bike, I would contend that a hub-gear bike needs way less maintenance, and, as yet, hasn't needed any roadside repairs at all.

    But, as I said, I still have a creeping feeling that I'm going to have one very bad day when the first puncture arrives (10,000km and counting).


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    #16
    droidus
    Registered Users Posts: 1,545 ✭✭✭droidus


    tomasrojo wrote: »
    But, as I said, I still have a creeping feeling that I'm going to have one very bad day when the first puncture arrives (10,000km and counting).

    You're determined to jinx yourself arent you? ;)


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    #17
    py
    Registered Users Posts: 1,527 ✭✭✭py


    droidus wrote: »
    CUBE Hyde Pro 2018

    Approx €1000

    mdb-19115_19115-0.jpg

    Pros: Tough, tried and tested
    Cons: Very heavy, NEXUS hub

    Looking at the Hyde Race right now, has alfine 8 speed and works out about €1100 though waiting to confirm that. Had hoped to get a Travel SL but stock is not going to be ready till early Q2 next year so opting to for the Hyde Race and adding in mudguards/pannier rack myself. Will be used for commuting plus school runs with a child seat to be added later.


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    #18
    cdaly_
    Registered Users Posts: 6,440 ✭✭✭cdaly_


    tomasrojo wrote: »
    I have roller brakes too, so there's quite a lot to undo and then redo. I'm assuming I'll have to patch the puncture without removing the wheel, which should definitely be possible, mostly, but I'm really not looking forward to it.
    It would certainly be traditional. Just make sure you have a set of your mother's best forks to use as tyre levers. That's what we used to do as kids.

    OTOH, with the bakfiets at least you'll be able to carry the basin of water around with you...
    tomasrojo wrote: »
    But, as I said, I still have a creeping feeling that I'm going to have one very bad day when the first puncture arrives (10,000km and counting).
    This could be one for a bit of pre-emptive tyre replacement.


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    #19
    droidus
    Registered Users Posts: 1,545 ✭✭✭droidus


    py wrote: »
    Looking at the Hyde Race right now, has alfine 8 speed and works out about €1100 though waiting to confirm that. Had hoped to get a Travel SL but stock is not going to be ready till early Q2 next year so opting to for the Hyde Race and adding in mudguards/pannier rack myself. Will be used for commuting plus school runs with a child seat to be added later.

    Nice. This guy.

    838002_light.jpg

    https://www.evanscycles.com/en-ie/cube-hyde-race-2017-hybrid-bike-EV287866

    Seems good value and lighter than the Radon.

    Travel SL look very similar to the Radon FE and the Canyons in terms of weight and features.

    150400_light.jpg

    Not tempted by the Boardman? Im at about 12.5-13kg now and would love to drop a couple of kilos. If only to make room for a pannier rack.


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    #20
    droidus
    Registered Users Posts: 1,545 ✭✭✭droidus


    They have the 2017 travel SL in stock here for 1200 or so. Not too keen on those handlebars, or that paint.

    http://www.fitzcycles.ie/p/2572/cube-travel


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    #21
    Effects
    Registered Users Posts: 9,761 ✭✭✭Effects


    Just get any of the ones with the gates carbon drive.


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    #22
    Effects
    Registered Users Posts: 9,761 ✭✭✭Effects


    droidus wrote: »
    Nice. This guy.

    838002_light.jpg

    I like that too until I saw how ugly the welds were up close.


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    #23
    boardbeer
    Registered Users Posts: 132 ✭✭boardbeer


    Punctures: fit Tannus tyres and that issue goes away.
    +1 for the gates belt


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    #24
    py
    Registered Users Posts: 1,527 ✭✭✭py


    droidus wrote: »
    They have the 2017 travel SL in stock here for 1200 or so. Not too keen on those handlebars, or that paint.

    http://www.fitzcycles.ie/p/2572/cube-travel

    Unless they have it in the shop, it's out of stock at the distributors everywhere. Had hoped to have it a few months back but had been waiting on the announcements at Eurobike. Once they were done I called a few shops and the new versions aren't due for a long long time, hence my choice of the Hyde which will be available in a few weeks.


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    #25
    py
    Registered Users Posts: 1,527 ✭✭✭py


    droidus wrote: »
    Not tempted by the Boardman? Im at about 12.5-13kg now and would love to drop a couple of kilos. If only to make room for a pannier rack.

    Was aiming to go with a gates belt and the Hyde looks a bit more accomadating for a pannier rack on the back.
    Effects wrote: »
    I like that too until I saw how ugly the welds were up close.

    I wasn't all that impressed with the welds on my Cube road bike but it's held up well with about 20,000Km on it and cost around the same coin as the Hyde. Given it was my first road bike, I wasn't all that concerned with them and I'm likely to go carbon with my next one. Would be interested in other options which have gates drive, clearance for large tyres, alfine hub, hydraulic disc brakes, flat bars and can accommodate pannier racks for ~€1000.


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    #26
    droidus
    Registered Users Posts: 1,545 ✭✭✭droidus


    The only thing close to that is the Canyon commuter 4.0, or the Radon Urban FE (without the belt).


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    #27
    droidus
    Registered Users Posts: 1,545 ✭✭✭droidus


    Or perhaps the BMC AC02 alfine 8, here for €1400

    http://www.fitzcycles.ie/p/2872/bmc-bikes#reviews-tab-tab


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    #28
    tomasrojo
    Registered Users Posts: 11,742 ✭✭✭✭tomasrojo


    cdaly_ wrote: »


    This could be one for a bit of pre-emptive tyre replacement.

    Yes, been thinking about that.


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    #29
    Mr. Grieves
    Registered Users Posts: 781 ✭✭✭Mr. Grieves


    A friend has the older Canyon and it's very nice. The integrated rack/mudguard/dynamo light is very cool looking, but the rack can't take much weight; my friend's broke after a few months.


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    #30
    Effects
    Registered Users Posts: 9,761 ✭✭✭Effects


    py wrote: »
    Would be interested in other options which have gates drive, clearance for large tyres, alfine hub, hydraulic disc brakes, flat bars and can accommodate pannier racks for ~€1000.

    I cycled a titanium Charge Plug for a bit during the summer. Rides really nice and looks stunning. Large clearance for tires and has disk brakes. Think they are pretty pricey though I think.


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    #31
    droidus
    Registered Users Posts: 1,545 ✭✭✭droidus


    Mr. Grieves wrote: »
    A friend has the older Canyon and it's very nice. The integrated rack/mudguard/dynamo light is very cool looking, but the rack can't take much weight; my friend's broke after a few months.

    Am I right in thinking that the geometry and shorter wheelbase of the Canyons would lead to a more upright riding position?


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