An internally geared hub seems to meet the criteria.
While I will not be able to use this Sturmey-Archer set-up for races like the Paris-to-Ancaster, or the Hilly Billy Roubaix, it should serve me very well for my flat, rural-urban commute.
I hesitated to make the purchase sooner because I was scared off by spending more on a bicycle that is already perfectly functional. However, my hesitation did cost me in the end as the price increased from $100 to $150 over that period. I suppose the consolation is that the hub was also improved over the same time.
I ordered from Downtown Bike Hounds and it arrived a week later. I went with black. So far I enjoy holding it and staring, but before long I will muster up the energy to build it up.
With the winter on our doorstep, I am feeling like this will be a slick, efficient purchase with minimal wet-weather maintenance required. It would be ideal to add a Gates Carbon Drive but there is no split in the frame to allow the option.
My older aluminum Diamondback frame makes sense for a winter commute because it's aluminum, but I must use my nice, steel, Paké because of the drops.
Cool hardware. I hope you'll be reporting the build and impressions.
ReplyDeleteThanks. The rim I planned on is for 32 spokes and the hub is 36...oh well. Certainly will be posting progress.
DeleteI laced one up to a wheel a year or more ago and am pretty happy with it. It's a little noisy and occasionally has switched gears on it's own.
ReplyDeleteInteresting. Did you blog about it? Love to hear more.
DeleteI picked up a rim this weekend - let the lacing begin!
Any progress on the wheel?
ReplyDelete