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Quality 7 or 8 speed bikes

Old 03-14-15, 10:43 AM
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avidone1
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Quality 7 or 8 speed bikes

I'm interested in getting a well made bike that has no front derailleur.
I live in Florida and there are NO hills anywhere around here.
I ride leisurely for about 10 or so miles at a time.
I find that my 24 gears do nothing but fall out of adjustment.
Any recommendations for high quality single chain ring bikes?
I posted on this forum because I do not want a cruiser style bike
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Old 03-14-15, 11:52 AM
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Maybe you want something like a 3-Speed IGH?
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Old 03-14-15, 12:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Grey.
Maybe you want something like a 3-Speed IGH?
I didn't think of this...They may suit me better.
Can you name some brands and models?
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Old 03-14-15, 01:39 PM
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Shimano has two component groups that come to mind. The Nexus group which has 3-Speed, 7-Speed, and 8-Speed hubs, and the Alfine group which has 8-Speed and 11-Speed hubs.

Nexus & Alfine Manufacturer Links. If you pick out which kind of hub you'd like, you can use those search terms to find a bike that comes with those features.

I know SRAM also has IGH offerings but i'm not as familiar with their products.
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Old 03-14-15, 02:25 PM
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Hub Brands ? Sturmey Archer AW3 is Proven the most reliable 3 speed,

Shimano has a number of products their 8 speed was being used by 2 guys from Sweden, riding from Alaska to Florida

Wheels can be changed in a Bike you already have ..
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Old 03-14-15, 02:27 PM
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How about the Azor Oma igh three speed from Rolling Orange Bikes in Brooklyn. It offers a very smooth ride with its fifty pound frame.
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Old 03-14-15, 06:01 PM
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You can always take the front derailleur off, especially if you're not using "brifters". Set the gearing to what you wish, and remove the FD. You can get chainring chain guards that will sandwich the chain between two guards, and make it hard for it to fall off.

This is a pretty wide open subject as far as what is a "good" bike.

15 lb lightweight?
Classic Steel?
Townie
etc.

What is the intended use, and daily/trip miles?

One option would be to track down a classic English 3-speed, either restored, or needing to be restored. They often start at about $20.

The "Fixies" and "Single Speed" bikes have a growing popularity, especially in flat places, or some of them could support a 3 speed or greater internally geared hub.
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Old 03-14-15, 06:25 PM
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Originally Posted by CliffordK
You can always take the front derailleur off, especially if you're not using "brifters". Set the gearing to what you wish, and remove the FD. You can get chainring chain guards that will sandwich the chain between two guards, and make it hard for it to fall off.

This is a pretty wide open subject as far as what is a "good" bike.

15 lb lightweight?
Classic Steel?
Townie
etc.

What is the intended use, and daily/trip miles?

One option would be to track down a classic English 3-speed, either restored, or needing to be restored. They often start at about $20.

The "Fixies" and "Single Speed" bikes have a growing popularity, especially in flat places, or some of them could support a 3 speed or greater internally geared hub.
That was my thought. I am sure your LBS would be happy to remove the front derailleur and substitute a triple for a single chainring before the bike goes out the door. FWIW, I think it is a pretty good idea. A lot of hybrids come stock with 11 x 32 mountain cassettes, and that should be plenty of gears, especially when paired with a 36, 38, or 39 tooth front chainring.
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Old 03-14-15, 06:33 PM
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+1 for the twp preceding posts.

Just do a Craigslist search for the kind or brand of bike you want.
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Old 03-14-15, 07:52 PM
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take the front derailleur off.......... Another intriguing suggestion.
I need to check with my LBS.
Good stuff here, glad I posted this.
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Old 03-17-15, 02:04 PM
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I just ordered a Giant Seek with ShimanomAlfine 8 speed internal hub. I really did it just to be different and have the clean look of not derailers. I'm in flat Florida also and we will see how it works out. Im coming off of an old (2001?) Trek 7300 MultiTrak, I never use the big ring and I think I only use thee small because I have it. Biggest hill is a draw bridge on the way to the beach. I do not intend to do serious distance riding. 10-15 miles would be the max or I would get a road bike. When I test rode the Giant, there was only flat ground but it seemed like it would work.

I took the front derailer off the wife's old bike because it was problematic and she had never used it. That was on an old MTB with low gears anyway.

i should have the Giant next weekend and will try to take it to the draw bridge and give a report.
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Old 04-07-15, 06:08 AM
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Maybe get a IGH folding bike like a Downtube 8H, it has a 8 speed IGH hub drive and gates belt drive, so no more cleaning chains and lubing them, the belt drive keeps your car and you your clothes cleaner when trans porting the bike, also has a front fork for comfort, a rear rack and fenders, its a good commuter bike.

Downtube 8H Shimano Nexus - Downtube

They foldup small I can fit my folding bike into the back of my Scion IQ that car is Very small, airplane, train, bus, then when at you destination unfold and ride away.

I have several Folding bikes and still have full sized bikes, but rarely ride the full sized bike or my recumbent bikes.

Last edited by westgl; 04-07-15 at 06:12 AM.
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Old 04-07-15, 10:18 AM
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A 1x derailleur system is more efficient than an IGH... if that matters to you.
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