Hi All -
I’m looking to get a new commuter bike. I’ve been commuting on an old univega 12-speed, but its time is nearing the end.
For a long time, I’ve wanted to get an internal gear bike - preferably something with 3 or 5 speeds, not 7/8/etc. Back in the 90s I had an old Raleigh 3-speed which I loved, and have always regretted getting rid of. But I also like the simplicity and the ease in cleaning.
My commute’s around 10 miles each way, once or twice a week. 8 or so of the miles are flat but there are some hills, and esp. one big climb heading home, so I don’t want to get a single speed. Ideally, I’d like a belt drive bike, but there don’t seem to be many.
I’ve test ridden a few. There was a specialized Globe Daily 3 - this I expected to like, as it was on sale and in my size. (Though still spendy - over $700). Couldn’t stand it. Got off the bike after a block on the test ride to see if the brakes were rubbing.
At the same shop, I test rode a Schwinn 3-speed which I actually liked. Rode well. Couldn’t find out anything about it on -line; Scwinn’s website is a mess. Then at another shop I test rode a Torker Graduate, which seemed ok. I’d like to test ride the Jamis internal gear bikes, but don’t know any place around here (Philly) that stocks them.
So I’m curious to hear from anyone who rides one of these. How long do you ride them for? Is 10 miles longer than you’d want to ride them for? Any brands/models you recommend?
Thanks,
-Charles
I ride a Taiwanese special that I ordered from Asia, it has a Shimano internal hub (8 speed I think). It’s also a belt drive which is cool for a commuter as riding in the wet/snow etc isn’t as much of an issue. I’ve found over time that the gears start to ‘slip’ with the internal hub, but only if I try to accelerate too fast or try to get out of the saddle. So I just take it a bit easier, which when commuting is the better way to go anyways.
I usually ride it on 3-5K trips, but have done upwards of 20K trips and it’s fine. I did start the winter season last year with that bike as my ‘rain/snow’ bike but it’s just too heavy - have done a couple 100K rides on it but going uphill is just too hard with the weight of the frame.
Again can’t recommend the brand/model as this was a prototype from a factory in Taiwan that I’m not sure ever made it into production, but I really like it for a commuter around the city. It also doesn’t look like much so luckily over two years it hasn’t been stolen yet!
Thanks for posting this. I have realized that I almost never ride my CX bike with shifters anymore. I have a Single speed CX bike that has a flip flop SS fixed hub. I was thinking about selling my shifter bike and buying a internal 7 or 8 sp rear hub. Then if I want to ride the hills or keep up with my roadie friends I could just swap the rear wheel.
So what kind of power loss are we talking about? I am interested because I don’t want to give up any real speed.
I really don’t notice drag in my 8 speed alfine, the thing is, they are supposed to be more efficient at high power levels, I doubt you would give up any appreciable speeds, normal drivetrain bikes can have some pretty bad efficiencies in certain gear combos, and depending on how well maintained it is. When comparing with an IGH you’re talking a few percent on average I imagine, at speeds of 20MPH I would estimate a couple tenths MPH at most.
Thanks. I can live with that. Besides, I don’t maintain my bikes like I used to, which is one of the big reasons I want to go internal. I never clean my bikes anymore, I bet that makes them pretty inefficient to begin with.
For me, it’s borderline. it’s a 10-mile commute, i’ll often add on some extra miles for errands, so by the time I get back home I’ve ridden 25 miles or so. most of the miles are pretty leisurely - at least the ones that aren’t uphill - but I don’t want to feel like my brake is rubbing the whole time.
My rain bike is a SS belt drive, I love it as long as it’s flat, would encourage you to go belt.
I’ve also been toying with the idea of using an IGH to get up\down the hills, but most of the people I’ve talked to weren’t impressed with the 8 sp Alfine at all.
Eventually I’ll have to test ride some other rigs; 11 sp shimano, Rohloff , SRAM, and then decide.
Keep us in the loop, lots of people are curious about this topic
For me, it’s borderline.
…
but I don’t want to feel like my brake is rubbing the whole time.
I think that “brake dragging” is a little extreme. You’ll definitely lose some efficiency - but whether it’s more than a filthy drivetrain w/ dérailleurs is something for the science nerds. I love the concept - but admittedly have never owned one.
10 miles commute with an occasional extension to 25 miles, isn’t a short commute. I’d want a real road bike for that.
the roads are a bit rough for a real road bike - i’ve been using an old 80s 12-speed, but i’d rather be on something where i’m a bit higher, even if i’m less aero.
but it does feel like a 'tweener sort of commute, that’s part of what makes choosing a bike for it so complicated.
10 miles of rough roads sounds like a pretty challenging commute, actually. I had 18 miles one-way but on nicely paved roads, and that was about an hour of riding with all the stoplights. Even with half that distance I would have definitely wanted road bike speed. But I guess if the roads are chewed up that would change things a bit.
it’s a bit of everything, really. (except actual mtb trails).
a mile or so on normal roads, a quarter mile on gravel, then several miles that are mostly on really nice paved trails; but the last 2-3 miles are riding through the 'hood, some potholes, lots of broken glass.
i’ve really been enjoying it, though. just a nicer way to start and end the day, and i get to explore different parts of philly that really aren’t that far from my normal haunts, but that i’d never see if i only took the train.
it’s really not about the speed… it’s about comfort, reliability, dependency. but i do have to make it back up the hill when i go home.
If you’re concerned about reliability can you get away with a single speed?
If not, you’re best choice is most likely that internal-gear bike you test rode. I ride a 3-speed internal specialized globe, but it’s only back and forth from my dorm to my classes. However, it is crazy reliable. I’ve left this bike outside always, including in the snow for 3 weeks, multiple times, and it’s still going on strong. I don’t know how this thing works.
It can be a bit more annoying to change a rear flat, since you may have to deal with disconnecting a brake arm and shift cable depending on the setup. But if you’re running heavy duty flat-resistant tires it may not be a biggie.