3 ms·

Nice, I wonder if they are back using internal hubs (like old 3 speeds) or derailleurs ? The internal hubs like they used 50+ years ago were a better design fo

by jmclnx 4y ago

Nice, I wonder if they are back using internal hubs (like old 3 speeds) or derailleurs ? The internal hubs like they used 50+ years ago were a better design for rainy weather than derailleurs. With that said, I can guess most are using single speed. Hopefully not fixed :)

Doctor_Fegg 4y ago
A good number of bikes in London are folding Bromptons with 3-speed hub gears or similar.
tokai 4y ago
>internal hubs like the used 50 years ago Their invention is closer to 150 years ago than 50.
robertlagrant 4y ago
Interestingly, Bromptons[0] using Sturmey Archer internal hubs, and I believe you can buy an upgrade that puts a derailleur on the front, to double the number of gears. [0] https://www.brompton.com https://www.brompton.com
- julian_t 4y ago
  The owner of a bike shop I used to frequent had a Moulton (one of the old space-frame ones) with a 5-speed hub and a derailleur on the back and three rings on the front. He said he wanted to see just how many gears he could actually get on one bike.
lm28469 4y ago
In Berlin most newish city oriented bikes I see have internal hubs
i_am_jl 4y ago
>With that said, I can guess most are using single speed. Hopefully not fixed :) I'm more curious as to the makeup of electric-assisted vs human-powered. Ebikes have also shaken up the drivetrain landscape a bit. Motors can be in the middle of the bike, and those bikes are often being paired with internally geared hubs in the rear. Mid-drive bikes can incorporate a gearbox in the motor, and are built with nothing but a belt drive and a single cog on the rear wheel. I love pedaling, but I'd have to be blind to not see how ebikes have widened cycling's userbase in my area, and I'm very curious if that's the case everywhere.
pjc50 4y ago
As an occasional work cyclist in Edinburgh and previously Cambridge: it doesn't make that much difference. It's nicer to have more gears to get a decent speed, but not being able to slip off is an advantage to 3-speeds. Overall bike design makes more difference. Dutch bike >> MTB with comfort fittings > regular MTB > racing bike. By "comfort fittings" I mean things like chain guards and mudguards and a suitable saddle. These days quite a lot will be e-bikes too.
- seszett 4y ago
  > Dutch bike >> MTB with comfort fittings > regular MTB > racing bike I feel like you're missing one type, the 80s touring bike. The one that looks like a racing bike but with a longer wheelbase, mudguards, racks and thicker tyres. It is more comfortable in the city than a racing bike, but also IMO better than a mountain bike with curved handlebars, thinner tyres and a lighter frame. They're also dirt cheap.

by jmclnx 4y ago

Doctor_Fegg 4y ago

A good number of bikes in London are folding Bromptons with 3-speed hub gears or similar.

tokai 4y ago

>internal hubs like the used 50 years ago Their invention is closer to 150 years ago than 50.

robertlagrant 4y ago

Interestingly, Bromptons[0] using Sturmey Archer internal hubs, and I believe you can buy an upgrade that puts a derailleur on the front, to double the number of gears. [0] https://www.brompton.com https://www.brompton.com

julian_t 4y ago
The owner of a bike shop I used to frequent had a Moulton (one of the old space-frame ones) with a 5-speed hub and a derailleur on the back and three rings on the front. He said he wanted to see just how many gears he could actually get on one bike.

lm28469 4y ago

In Berlin most newish city oriented bikes I see have internal hubs

i_am_jl 4y ago

>With that said, I can guess most are using single speed. Hopefully not fixed :) I'm more curious as to the makeup of electric-assisted vs human-powered. Ebikes have also shaken up the drivetrain landscape a bit. Motors can be in the middle of the bike, and those bikes are often being paired with internally geared hubs in the rear. Mid-drive bikes can incorporate a gearbox in the motor, and are built with nothing but a belt drive and a single cog on the rear wheel. I love pedaling, but I'd have to be blind to not see how ebikes have widened cycling's userbase in my area, and I'm very curious if that's the case everywhere.

pjc50 4y ago

As an occasional work cyclist in Edinburgh and previously Cambridge: it doesn't make that much difference. It's nicer to have more gears to get a decent speed, but not being able to slip off is an advantage to 3-speeds. Overall bike design makes more difference. Dutch bike >> MTB with comfort fittings > regular MTB > racing bike. By "comfort fittings" I mean things like chain guards and mudguards and a suitable saddle. These days quite a lot will be e-bikes too.

seszett 4y ago
> Dutch bike >> MTB with comfort fittings > regular MTB > racing bike I feel like you're missing one type, the 80s touring bike. The one that looks like a racing bike but with a longer wheelbase, mudguards, racks and thicker tyres. It is more comfortable in the city than a racing bike, but also IMO better than a mountain bike with curved handlebars, thinner tyres and a lighter frame. They're also dirt cheap.