Yes to the IGH; far more elegant IMO than a FD and a chain tensioner not to mention the multiple chainrings. But the defect of IGHs is the choice of ratios, drag -- if you choose a wider-range, more-ratios hub the internal friction increases, and if you choose the lowest drag options (several tests have shown that the basic SA 3 speed hubs have no more drag, or even a wee bit less drag, overall, than derailleur systems), you are limited to the more basic 2 and 3 speed hubs which have very limited range.
But if you can get by with limited ratios, they're worth considering. I've built very usable all-rounder beaters with the venerable, durable, and in fact ineradicable AW, and the nice thing is that the these are very available, very cheap -- old units are about $50 on eBay and older ones, even the 114 mm OL ones, will work fine with 120 mm frames. I've set mine up with 3d/high/overdrive for pavement cruising with about a 72" gear, 2nd/direct at about 54", and 1st/low/underdrive at about 41". Couple the AW with a double ring and you can split the gaps in the AW for a very usable 6-speed -- my second complete bike build circa 1971 had a "half stepped" AW, tho' I used 2 cogs instead of 2 rings. But even more exotic SA IGH are available on eBay; the wonderful AM medium ratio hub comes up from time to time at reasonable prices (I got mine for well under $200 each -- $150? -- IIRC in runnable condition) and again the 114 mm OL will fit 120 mm frames with only strategic anti-rotation washer selection and placement. And, it uses the ubiquitous AW trigger shifter. Direct, 15.5% overdrive, 0.8654% underdrive; mine are geared75/65/56". And the AM is reputed to be, like the AW, one of SA's most durable hubs. And even the pure gold ASC close ratio fixed 3 speed. I got my 2 very cheaply, $200 NOS and $150 used but VG. But these are much rarer; I was lucky. On Thu, Sep 12, 2024 at 1:19 PM Mackenzy Albright < [email protected]> wrote: > ... I think an internal real hub like a sturmey-archer 3 speed with a > compact double crank and paul tensioner would be an incredible build.... > Price aside the roaduno is the perfect candidate for some fun builds. > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/CALuTfgsosFD%3DRjDsZGavqnTkVkU0haDcyTBdJZk2ApzJeYaUtg%40mail.gmail.com.
