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Re: New to the List - internal hub gears
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Jim Baross
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Jun 10, 2005 20:59 PDT
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Enjoy!
Though I find that fiddling with the rear wheel is more difficult than it
should be. For time when all I need to do is remove the tube or tire, I
leave the shift mechanism connected - saves readjusting things later. I
also noticed that unless the rear wheel axle was very securely cinched onto
the dropouts that I'd eventually work the wheel forward and get a too loose
chain. This on a Specialized Globe 7... at least 10 years old now.
This one has chainguard and fenders too. I ride in "normal office garb" on
my easy 6+ mile each way daily commutes to work.
A heavy bike keeps you fitter! (... and if you agree with that, how about
adjusting your brakes to provide a little resistance training?)
At 11:42 PM 6/9/2005, you wrote:
| | I won a Giant Cypress LE (I don't think they sell these anywhere) from
Bicycle magazine's Biketown. It has the old 7 speed nexus hub. I love
it. My "work pants" are clean because I have a chain guard now. I have
to say, I really like the nexus hub. I wasn't expecting much after having
read so many hard core cyclist ragging on it. With that as my context, I
have to say that I found it surprisingly light and "efficient". I was
less enthused about having a bike with shocks. I am not one to keep my
deraileur constantly tuned, so I feel like I'm getting more power out of
this bike than my old beater hybrid (even with fatter tires and shocks on
the new bike).
I didn't downshift at stops at first. I had to remind myself that I could
do that. It's a nice feature for my old knees, but I like getting off my
seat once in awhile to crank across an intersection. Makes me feel young.
I have to practice changing the tire though. I don't know if it is easy
or hard yet. I'm going to try to master it when I have some time later
this summer. If changing a tube proves to be easy, I will be dying to get
the rohloff 13 speed hub. I can see myself someday trying to put
together a touring bike with the rohloff hub.
People have commented on how "clean" the bike looks without the
deraileur. I agree.
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Jim Baross
League & Effective Cycling Instructor Trainer # 185 K-C
San Diego, California USA
mailto:JimBaross at cox.net
"Cyclists should expect and demand safe accommodation on our public roads,
just as does every other user. Nothing more is expected. Nothing less is
acceptable."
Jack R. Taylor
"Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles."
John Forester
Same Roads, Same Rules, Same Rights.
SDCBC
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