patrick.net

What do y'all think about rear hubs with internal gearing?

Seller locally is getting rid of a half-built long tail bike that includes a Nuvinci hub.

A promotional video I found:

http://youtu.be/56SDjxH1NuM

I'd add a nexus or alfine 8 speed to a bike with horizontal or semihorizontal dropouts. They're kind of pricey new though and I have no real need. They have a reputation to last. The older nuvinci hubs are a lot less common. They were super heavy, like half the weight of a light bike. But they had a rep for being tough. There may be lighter ones now. This is all second hand info. No personal experience.

Are these Nuvinci internal hubs sealed and maintenance free?

If so, one could couple it with a belt (instead of a chain) and have an upkeep free drive train. Would be real quiet, too.

HeadSet says

Are these Nuvinci internal hubs sealed and maintenance free?

If so, one could couple it with a belt (instead of a chain) and have an upkeep free drive train. Would be real quiet, too.

Supposed to be. Hmmm, drive belt is interesting idea.

I've been thinking about a Mundo Yuba, I think someone posted about it in another thread.

Started toying with the idea of buying the base bike, then trying to add electric assist for longer/easier cruising later. Perhaps the Nuvinci Harmony system.

A yuba or the kona or surly version would be nice if you carried heavy loads all of the time. I think xtracycles are probably enough if you have an old mtb.

The belt drives require a break in the chain stay (special bike). Otherwise, there is no way to get the belt on. It doesn't break and reassemble like a chain, which is how you get a chain on a bike. A chain on a single speed or internal gear hub is nearly silent. It is never out of adjustment and is in a perfect line, so it takes a lot longer to wear and is much quieter than a normal geared bike.