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[redbeandonut]

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[Camikaze]

Hi mate,

I've just built up a Surly Pacer (road frame) with a Nexus 8 speed hub, so can offer a few useful tips and observations:

First, my frame has vertical dropouts. Because I wanted to have no chain tensioning devices (the "clean" look was high on my agenda), it made finding the right ratio/drivetrain combination more challenging.

There is no question that one of the best authorities on Nexus hubs is Sheldon Brown:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/nexus-mech.html

If you have a vertical dropout frame, and wish to find the perfect chainring/cog combination to avoid using a tensioner, go to:

http://eehouse.org/fixin/

A few observations from my experience:

1) Research as much as possible online first, to ensure Nexus is for you. Read positive and negative reviews. I generally found more positive than negative reviews.

2) Go to www.shimano.com.au to research the different models.

3) But the rim brake model, if you want the most powerful braking option - generally, the roller brake model is less powerful across all conditions.

4) Make sure you get the right anti-rotation washers for your frame's dropout style.

5) Get a good wheelbuilder to build your Nexus wheel.

6) Be prepared to spend a bit of time in the set-up. Shimano Australia only seem to sell the 17T and 19T Nexus cogs. Keep this in mind for when you are working out gear ratios. Fortunately, there are heaps of chainring/crank options to counter the lack of cog availability, so you can still find the perfect range for your needs. If you end of with a weird chainring size, like 41T, buy some spares to futureproof yourself.


7) Use a good 3/32" BMX chain - it is very strong, but heavier than a traditional road chain. I prefer quality and strength over weight, particularly where safety and maintenance issues abound.

8) Don't stomp when changing gears, as a planetary hub still needs to have the force eased off between changes. Soft pedal a little, just as if you were using a rear derailleur.

9) Accept the fact you are stuck with a grip shifter, and be prepared to either use a flat bar, or find a way to adapt a drop bar for this 22.2mm shifter unit. Sheldon Brown has adaptors online.

I'm sure there's more, but I only finished building my bike this weekend, and still haven't ridden it in anger :-)

Feel free to email me at cam@dirtworks.com.au. I don't check Farkin often, so this is the best way to contact me. I may even have some pictures of my setup soon.

Good luck, and remember - derailleurs suck ;-)

Hi all
I've aquired a taste for road bikes after I found one in the skip at work.
I'm now building one and thinking of using a nexus (i'll be commuting a bit on it and having no rear derailuer must be a huge aero advantage:) )
I'm looking at a 8 speed hub which gives a very similar gear range to a 18 or 20 speed road setup (obviously bigger jumps but similar range)
Does anyone have any experiance with these hubs?
How does effeciency compare to a "normal' set up?
I know they can shift without pedaling etc but how do they shift under power?
Does the extra weight of the hub affect acceleration?
What width chain is required for a nexus?
How long do they last?
Answers to any and all questions greatly appreciated.

[t]

I have a 24 hole rim is that likely to cause any problems if i just leave 6 evenly spaced holes in each flange with no spoke.

you'll probably get a little uneven spoke tension while your building.

[craign]

A few flat bar 700c bikes specced with internally geared hubs (Neus/Alfine) this year e.g. CRX City and Mongoose sabrosa ocho.

I'm in the market for a new commuter/road bike and might have to check out some of the nexus specc'd bikes.

[Derek Yates]

Just a thought. Be aware that road and MTB frames are not spaced the same. If you have a road frame they are generally a 130mm spacing not a 135mm like an MTB. Old skool steel frames can be 'adjusted' to fit but you are better off not with alloy.

Not 100% on the ins and out of these hubs but I THINK they are made for 135mm spaced bikes.

Cheers,

Derek

[bazza]

. Old skool steel frames can be 'adjusted' to fit but you are better off not with alloy.



done and done ahhaha.

i have been runing a nexus for quite a while in an old road frame and recently converted it over to a cruiser style bike and it works great. so simple to set up. coaster brakes are fun also. except when you wear clips ahhaha makes things very interesting. but yeah i built up my wheel and have had no problems with it. still straight and unbuckled after letting my little brother ride it to school almost everyday. the only issue i had was with the cable routing getting caught in the shifting section. sometimes it would just sink into it and get caught and than the whole shifting would be rooted. but other than that its all good.


the other important note that was stated is the locking nuts. GET THEM! i don't have them and i just use chain tugs, doesnt work half as well. so yeah make sure you get the locking nuts ahhaha. have fun with your new project! scrap heap bikes all the way! i think i spent just under 100 bucks by making my bike including paint and paint remover and new tyres, tubes, cables, trigger shifter (which i now sit right under the butterfly bars, or it would be equally rad just under the seat or something) and a new chain.

so yeah. its rad, internal hubs are fun :)

[bazza]

Do you mean the cable outer got sucked into the shifting section?
did you have ferrules on the outer?
what cable does the nexus use anyway?

by locking nuts do you mean the anti rotation washers or are nexus hubs not supplied with the nuts to hold them to the bike ?

the actual gear cable as it threads around the body. when some slack is put on it its not sitting properly. than again it could be my little brothers fault who does most of the riding on the bike and it maybe related to the hub rotating as well. but yeah the anti rotating washers are a MUST. and if you need to order some can you order an extra 2 for me ahhaa.

[alexb618]

are you not able to use a 1/8" track chain?

[Derek Yates]

I have seen 1/8" chains used many many times on BMX 3/32" sprockets. Works fine. 1/8" Chains are cheap and easy to get and are suited to most single speed bikes. Being slightly bigger makes them slightly stronger also. In thoery they should last make your parts last a bee's dick longer due to a wider load dispersal on your sprockets.

Cheers,

Derek

[johnny]

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