Mr_Pacman

I think this might be the most appropriate forum for this.

I'm looking for a steel cro mo frame with an internal gear hub. I had a look at the Globe Roll 7, but the store doesn't have my size in stock and can't get another one as it's last years model.

I've done various searches on the forums and can't seem to be putting in the right keywords to get the search results I need.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a bike with this criteria? I would consider a derailer system if I could get a single cog on the front and then 7 or 8 on the back.....but I want to avoid a 21 speed bike.

Thanks
James

Mr_Pacman

Thanks for the reply. I'm not overly mechanically inclined so I was hoping to buy a bike from a local store that is already built and ready to go.

disk brakes are not a concern for me.

MichaelW

You need a frame with a chain-tensioning system for internal gear hub:
-Sliding vertical dropouts
-Eccentric bottom bracket
-Horizontal dropouts
-Rear facing "track ends"

Do not opt for the spring-loaded chain tensioner, you loose some of the advantages of internal gear hubs.
None of these are standard so you might have to look at getting your local bikeshop to build up a suitable frame.
If you want the option of 1x8, you also need a rear deraileur hanger.

My Dahon Cadenza has EBB+rear hanger and comes in IGH/3x8/singlespeed options.

onfloat

Check out Linus Bikes. They have a bunch of internally geared options.

Linus Bike

tcs

The Torker U3 sprang to mind.

Oh, I should have asked about your budget.

Mr_Pacman

Thanks for the suggestions so far. I did have a look at the Linus bikes at the local dealer and that is an option I'm considering.

I was poking around the Raleigh website last night and found the Port Townsend which is cro-mo with a standard derailer. Looks like it could be a good option as well.

Raleigh Bicycles - Port Townsend

modernjess

How about this, A Surly cross check single speed, then have the shop rebuild the rear wheel with a Shimano Alfine 8 or 11 rear hub and shifter (or another IGH you want). Done.

It's what I ride for my commuter. I built it from the frame years ago and it has morphed through several gearing iterations over time. But for the last 3 years it's been and 8 sp IGH. Very very solid year round commuter do anything town bike.

fietsbob

.. Maxway TW they are another contract builder, of steel frames for Multiple Brand-Customers.

Dahon.Steve

I think you're doing this the wrong way. Buying a bicycle from someone's opinion is wrong.

You need to get out there and test ride many bikes. I would test ride about 10 bikes and take notes what you do and don't like about each one. Then buy the one YOU like best.

I would be surprised if you end up buying a hub geared bicycle.

TransitBiker

In my experience, the low end on the N360 is perfect for hill climbing, in fact i can climb hills now that i had to walk up on my cruiser which couldn't handle it in 1st gear.... Also, as for efficiency.... its about the same as the old hub (shimano nexis 4 coaster brake).

- Andy

HardyWeinberg

MiiR High 5 8-Speed Bike - 2015

8 spd, looks decent, cromoly frame, No IGH, but lacks the front derailer which you seem to want to avoid. My commuter is a crosscheck set up 1x7

I am surprised REI doesn't have a city bike w/ IGH on their website right now. If they did it would probably have an aluminum frame. Skimming MEC's website, looks like they are also heavy on aluminum.

TransitBiker

In all, i have far more capability with the N360, and it has made my routes more flat so to speak. Obviously there are internal hubs and cassettes with better range, but across all the bikes i've had, it seems the most useful on the broadest range of inclines.

- Andy

tjspiel

I agree and disagree. I agree that you should ride a bunch of bikes and that you try bikes that don't necessarily fit what you think you want. As someone who rides both aluminum and chromoly framed bikes, I think aluminum gets a bad wrap on these forums and I hope that message doesn't dissuade someone from even trying an aluminum bike. If you test ride one and don't like it, buy all means try something else.

What I will disagree with is that test rides are the only way to choose a bike. Sometimes shops don't have a great selection, - especially if you're looking for something that's less common and shops tend not to carry. In that case it's definitely worth asking what other people have found.

In my case, I didn't buy a gear hub after a test ride, I bought it after checking various reviews. The reasons I wanted one had less to do with the riding experience and more to do with the fact that the mechanism is enclosed and not exposed to the elements, - a nice advantage for a winter bike.

ret3

REI has at least 4 IGH city bikes, including the Novara Gotham and Arkham. You're right about the frames, though; all are aluminum.

noglider 

I'd like to know why you're looking specifically for cromoly. Are you comparing it with cheaper carbon steel and want to get something lighter than that? Or are you just avoiding aluminum? All of my (too many) bikes happen to be steel, but aluminum shouldn't be a deal breaker, as @tjspiel says.

Sullalto

I found test rides of dubious use as a brand new rider. Not enough knowledge to make good decisions. Within a few months of daily rides, my taste changed a lot. I would've been better off indulging the up-selling sales people trying to sell me a 'cross/gravel/touring bike instead of the comfort bike with upgraded components.

acidfast7

Not sure where you live exactly in North America, but there are a few dealers for Tour Terrain including some ACE Hardware stores in the US:

noglider 

It's hard to know what kind of rider you'll end up being. The salesperson doesn't know, and the cyclist doesn't know, either. At one point, my rabbi got heavily into cycling after being overweight her whole life. She got an upright bike, hybrid or comfort, I forgot. After a year or so, she needed a harder and narrower saddle. But she had to start somewhere. I think an inexperienced cyclist can't buy one bike that will be the one bike for life.

ksisler

===============================================================================
Here are a couple I have recommended to friends who have expressed satisfaction with their purchases of same or last years model of same;

Save Up to 60% Off Town Bikes | Classic, Stylish Eight Speed City Bikes | Urban Bikes | Commuter Road Bikes | Windsor Kensington 8 from bikesdirect.com
City Bikes Save up to 60% off new Motobecane Bistro 8V Deluxe Aluminum City Bikes from bikesdirect.com
Save Up To 60% Off City Bikes | Classic, Stylish Three Speed City Bikes | Urban Bikes | Commuter Road Bikes | Windsor Oxford from bikesdirect.com

They have many for sale, including Black Friday specials, but I only pulled the ones I was familiar with which have Chromo frames and IGH drive trains. You may be able to pick better as I am just guessing on what you are in need of.

Note on the side: As with essentially every bike I have ever seen for sale at almost any price point; you would do well to take the bike (or just the wheels) to a wheel specialist with noted talent and pay for a good true and tension prior to using the bike. Just a fact that machine built wheels are the norm and they just seem to not yet be the match of what a good "wheel specialist" can achieve. This can add many years to the life of the wheels.

Hope that helps
/K

Sullalto

Agreed, as a general rule.

noglider 

That Motobécane model has an aluminum frame and cromo fork. Not that that would stop me from buying it, but it's not what @Mr_Pacman asked for.

All of those bikes give you a lot for the money! Two racks, fenders, chainguards.

Mr_Pacman

Thanks to everyone for all of the replies.

Another local bike shop was having a "Black Friday" sale and they had the Specialized Globe Roll 7's on sale for $499 down from $929. They were also out of the XL frame size but did have the Large size.

Luckily, they had an XL frame in the single speed Globe Roll 1, which uses the exact same frame as the 7......so I was able to try it on for size.

I found the XL to be good but a bit too large (the top cross bar was almost into my groin when standing above it). The Large seemed to fit well for riding position and pedal position and felt good on a 10 min bike ride, so I snagged it.

It fits all the criteria with the cro mo frame, 7 gear hub. I'm not fond of the moustashe style handlebars, but the store is going to swap them out for free with a different set.

So, I think I may have lucked out, which rarely seems to happen for me.

acidfast7

Congrats and damn, I often forget house inexpensive stuff is in the US

Mr_Pacman

I agree. I'm in Canada and it's frustrating to see the price difference between the two countries on the exact same items. It has been getting better over the years, as many US retailers are becoming more open to shipping directly to the consumer in Canada, so local stores have to get competitive on prices.

jdave5917

I thought I already posted this but don't see so sorry if it shows up twice. Anyyhow...I started with a mid-1980s schwinn world sport cromo frame and built a rear wheel with shimano 7 speed nexus internal gear COASTER brake hub. Goal was to build a clone of the Pashley Govnor on the cheap. The Nexus IGH provides ample gear range while presrerving the "clean" look. Grip shifter and only one cable required for the IGH. Converted to 700c wheels since caliper reach was no longer an issue with no calipers. No chain tensioner or half link needed to get a properly tensioned chain since there was enough for and aft adjustment in the dropouts to properly tension the chain. That may not be true of all chainring/cog combinations but it worked for me on the first attempt. I realize the OP mentioned limited mechanical ability but it may be an option for others.