http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Hub-gears maintenance-free? en Wed, 13 May 2026 03:50:39 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7081#post-74295 Wed, 13 Jun 2012 14:11:24 +0000 kaputnik 74295@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Shimano HG 8-speed chains will fit 6, 7 and 8 speed casettes and are 7.4mm wide (externally) or 3/32" wide internally.</p> <p>When I think of SS chain yes I am thinking old fashioned 1/8" internal-width chains, variously sold as BMX / fixed / single speed chains. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7081#post-74272 Wed, 13 Jun 2012 12:41:59 +0000 crowriver 74272@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@chdot: yep, I think so. Single speed cogs are really chunky, like knuckle dusters. </p> <p>I think I have the same style of chain on my (pre-Hyperglide) 6 speed freewheel 1990s Raleigh drivetrain. Yum! :-)) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7081#post-74270 Wed, 13 Jun 2012 12:34:05 +0000 Instography 74270@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>That's good to hear. It's what I was planning for mine. Nice bronze colour to match the bike. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7081#post-74269 Wed, 13 Jun 2012 12:33:58 +0000 chdot 74269@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Serious question -</p> <p>What constitutes "a singlespeed chain"? Presume you don't mean 'old fashioned' 1/8". </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7081#post-74266 Wed, 13 Jun 2012 12:30:09 +0000 Dave 74266@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'm using a singlespeed chain for all of mine - I think it cost £3. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7081#post-74264 Wed, 13 Jun 2012 12:28:44 +0000 Instography 74264@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'm just assuming that Dave's been unlucky and that when I get the five speed hub gear connected to my On One Pompino it'll do a grand job of replacing my clapped out trailer-hauling mountain bike. I got a pretty old model. It's in the Sturmey Archer archive, which suggests it's been in the stock room for a while so hopefully has old-school robustness. It was the only one that fitted the Pompino's 120mm lock nut spacing. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7081#post-74257 Wed, 13 Jun 2012 12:19:47 +0000 kaputnik 74257@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>That's the width recommended by Shimano</em></p> <p>Shimano "recommend" lots of things... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7081#post-74252 Wed, 13 Jun 2012 12:07:45 +0000 amir 74252@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>It is a bit tighter than you might expect. My non-scientific touchy feely experience was that 9 speeds worked better and lasted longer (but no real evidence). That's the width recommended by Shimano - it surprised me - I thought I could use nice tough single speed chains. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7081#post-74245 Wed, 13 Jun 2012 11:54:58 +0000 kaputnik 74245@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Amir - can you not use 8-speed chain? There shouldn't be any mish-mash of over-close sprockets to preclude its use, should there? I use 8-speed chain on "9 speed" (on paper) chainrings and front derailleur with no issues. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7081#post-74223 Wed, 13 Jun 2012 10:50:42 +0000 SRD 74223@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Love my hubgears, but i just commute, and they're perfect for the stop-start &amp; heavyloads on back. PERFECT. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7081#post-74221 Wed, 13 Jun 2012 10:44:27 +0000 steveo 74221@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I like the idea of hubgears but Dave's constant trouble and the fact I find my self doing <em>not much</em> to the roadie mean I can't really justify the cost. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7081#post-74218 Wed, 13 Jun 2012 10:39:44 +0000 amir 74218@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I am relieved about that Uberuce, it gives us less powerful ones a chance. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7081#post-74213 Wed, 13 Jun 2012 10:30:28 +0000 Uberuce 74213@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Thankee for the writeup, Amir. I'm pretty much tied to a hub gear for reasons of track end, so I'll just have to hope for the best... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7081#post-74201 Wed, 13 Jun 2012 09:47:03 +0000 amir 74201@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I have owned a Bianchi Camaleonte Alfine geared bike for nearly four years now. So I thought that I would reflect on the benefits of a hub-geared bike.</p> <p>I bought the bike under the C2W scheme with the aim of reducing maintenance. Well- I think that it has reduced the maintenance a little bit. In terms of day-to day maintanence generally all any of my bikes needs is a quick wipe and regular lube of the chain (and other bits). Less frequently the bike is cleaned and other bits changed.</p> <p>I reckon that I go through chains as frequently as on the derailleur bikes. I usually have to change the rear cog as well. The cog is definetly cheaper than a cassette (even an 8 speed) but the chain is slightly more expensive than an 8 speed (I get a 9 speed chain). On top of that every few thousand miles the hub grears need an oil change. I have done one so far with another pending. Bicycle works will do this (can't remember how much for - about £20-£30). Gear cables last much longer since they can be almost entirely protected and they aren't under such much tension.</p> <p>So the costs of maintenance maybe slightly lower but not much. The amount of cleaning (if you are being good to you bike) is perhaps slightly less since the chain is higher and you don't need to worry about the cogs (unless you've got a tensioner). Derailleur bikes need more frequent adjustment (this is fun!).</p> <p>With my Bianchi I find that I clean it less because I love it less. It simply is not fun to ride in the way that my other bikes are. Now that I have a new(ish) best bike, I find myself using it less and less - the last time was in March. I do use it in poor weather when I wouldn't want to risk my more loved bikes.</p> <p>So in summary, I think that my bike would be great for short distance pottering in a city, but for fun commuting from outwith the city - nope. </p>