Kuto

Loooks to me based on some reading is that an ideal urban bike for a nice range on gears for going up hills on flats and down hills would have a Alfine 8 (Maybe Nexus 8) or COMPARABLE for one with a preference for IGH. Discs would give you good breaking performance in any weather.

So far there are two bikes that seem to fit my bill and they are the Raleigh Detour City Sport DLX
and The Dynamic Tempo 8. They are both about $1000

What do you think?

edit- Does anyone have experience with an integrated rear racks like on that Raleigh bike? Is it possible to buy an aftermarket rack that is in any way better with more weight capacity?

DVC45

I would avoid the Raleigh based on the proprietary rack alone.


This one might be a better choice.
https://www.rei.com/product/845695/ma...bard-bike-2013

fietsbob

IDK about your hills .. I have 2 IGH for mine Brompton 3 speed , 2 speed IG crank _ 17"-77"

& Rohloff ,an 18-90" range ..

Alfine 8 is a bit narrower range % wise, do the Math, see if you may need a wider range,

if low is adequate, then you can raise the high with a 2 pulley chain tensioner And a crank with 2 chainrings..

Kuto

I can't seem to find bikes in the US with those gears yet. They aren't like the typical 3 speeds we find on cruisers are they?

If the low gear is close to that of a 24 speed 2008 Schwinn Mesa, then it should be fine.

fietsbob

A decent Bike Shop can upgrade from one hub to another ..

But the frame needs to have the Mounting points for the disc caliper ..

so Id start with a disc Brake single speed 29er, then add the $ to get another rear wheel ..

Yea like I know what that is ? .. can you count teeth?

front # Divided by Back # X wheel outside diameter ..

is a common way to describe the Ratio of the gear.

Steely Dan

my foul-weather commuter is a Scott Sub 10. it's an alfine 8/hydraulic disc brake hybrid. i'd highly recommend a similar set-up for anyone else looking for an all-weather general purpose bike.

i live in pancake flat chicago, so the 8 gears are way more than enough for me. i generally only really use gears 5,6,7, depending on the wind. though i do drop down to the 2nd gear for faster acceleration from stops.

daredevil

Love my Trek Soho with Alfine 8. I've added a Bontrager rack and trunk bag and fenders.

Really like that Scott btw, Steely.

MichaelW

I have a Dahon Cadenza with Alfine and cable disks. Alfine is a great piece of kit, reliable, efficient, low maintenance and with a wide enough gear range for rolling cities (maybe not enough for steep ones).
You need to get a frame that integrates the hub, brakes, rack and fenders well. many frames have fittings but actually fittting all the bits is quite tricky.
The best chain tensioning is sliding vertical dropouts, then eccentric bottom bracket, then horizontal dropouts. Avoid a spring tensioner on a new bike.
The brake mount can be on the (MTB) traditional seatstay or the chainstay. Chainstay mounts don't interfere with rack and fender eyelets but you need a brake with a suitable cable angle.