It’s always nice to hear when people tell us they see our bikes out & about.  This is no exception!  Yes that’s our Penza in Momentum but what’s equally exciting and interesting is that Aaron’s article below talks about the wonderful application internal hubs and we agree 120%!

11 Reasons Why Internally-Geared Bicycle Hubs Rock

An Abio Penza folding bicycle with a Shimano Nexus internal-gear hub gets festive.(Credit: richardmasoner)

By Aaron Goss

Take a look at the next bike you see. Chances are it will have a derailleur drivetrain. We like to call them external gears. The modern bicycle’s derailleur-based drivetrain has evolved with one purpose in mind: racing. There is a more sensible alternative for everyday bikes: internally-geared hubs.

Internal hubs offer several key advantages over external gears

1. Simple drivetrain
2. Durability
3. Low maintenance
4. Chain case compatible
5. Shift gears at a stop
6. Low operating cost

Many folks do not like the look or complexity of a derailleur system.

Close-up of a 14 gear internal-gear bicycle hub.(Credit: Mirco Rohloff)

A bike just looks cool with one chainring and one rear sprocket. Your chain cannot fall off and there is nothing hanging off the back to get bent in a crash. The number one adjustment or repair we do at Aaron’s Bicycle Repair, Inc. in Seattle, WA, is to rear derailleurs (behind flats, of course!).

When compared to external gears (derailleur systems) internal hub durability is easily 10 to 1. We have seen hubs with tens of thousands of miles with very little wear inside, despite having ridden through all conditions. A wider 1/8-inch chain can be used to make your drivetrain even more durable. Derailleur gears us a narrower 3/32-inch chain.

Some more reasons to chose internal-gear hubs

7. The only maintenance besides keeping the chain clean is a yearly internal cleaning or oil change.
8. Most simple drivetrain bikes are chain case compatible.
9. You only need to oil your chain about once or twice a year.
10. There is no need to roll-up your right pant leg or use a pant strap. Ride in your nicest clothes!
11. You can shift just like a stick-shift car, while stopped or moving.

The only thing that is different from derailleur gears is that you shift when NOT pedaling. Modern internal hubs even offer several different shifter options and mounting locations.

When you compare the lifespan of an internally-geared to that of a derailleur system the cost of ownership goes way down! Most external gears will need replacing yearly. Modern bicycles have between five and 11 gears in the back. This can get very expensive for a daily commuter. Compared at the same quality to the parts an internally-geared hub replaces, they are often less expensive.

If internal gears are so great why are they not on every bike?

Even with so many advantages, many folks still cannot be swayed to replace their derailleur system with an internally-geared one, even when facing a multi-hundred dollar parts replacement bill.

Internally-geared hubs save your pant legs by eliminating greasy chains.(Credit: richardmasoner)

The most common objections cited are lower efficiency, gear range and weight.

Rohloff has a very interesting article on efficiency for you techies out there, but let’s just say, in the real world, riding your bike in normal clothes to work, you won’t really notice any power loss. If you did, you would be sweating profusely.

When you ride a bike down a hill, there is a speed at which you will find yourself going fast enough, start to coast and enjoy the ride. All internally-geared hubs can be customized with their single external gear (chainring and cog size) to suit your needs.

When you add up all the parts that an internal-geared hub replaces, you might even save weight! A typical internal hub replaces one or two chainrings, all cogs but one, a length of chain, the rear hub and both derailleurs and the front shifter and cable. Some models even replace the brakes.

The other side of the hub

Derailleur systems do have advantages. Replacement parts are often inexpensive, but upgrading can be very expensive. Parts are easily accessible to DIYers (do it yourselfers). The whole system is lightweight and you can have a wide gear range. External gears are perfect for long distance touring and racing bikes.

An inside view of a Rohloff Speedhub 500/14.(Credit: Mirco Rohloff)

The disadvantages of derailleur gears are that they can be harder to shift on a hill, require continuous maintenance, cleaning and fine-tuning and might not be able to tolerate much dirt and grime before going out of adjustment or wearing out

The verdict

As internally-geared hubs gain popularity (see bike list at the end of this article), replacement parts will become more widely available.

Internal hubs are perfect for so many applications, including cargo bikes. Currently, most hubs are not warrantied for use with cargo bikes, but some companies are making cargo-specific versions. SRAM makes a version of their Pentasport 5 speed hub. Shimano has the red striped Nexus. Both Rohloff and NuVinci are suitable for cargo bike use.

All in all, internally-geared bikes are as reliable as an automobile and just as tolerant of everyday use. Plus, you won’t have to clean or oil your chain after a party, working late or just riding home in the rain.

Aaron Goss is the president and master mechanic of Aaron’s Bicycle Repair, Inc. in Seattle, WA.

http://www.momentumplanet.com/news/11-reasons-why-internally-geared-bicycle-hubs-rock