Getting back wheel off a Hub Geared bike

[EasyPeez]

Just a quick question for anyone riding hub gears - in the event of a puncture how much more of a faff is is to get the rear wheel off by the roadside? Does it end up taking a lot longer than a quick release road bike kind of set-up and/or require the carrying of more tools?

Cheers, Andy

 

[Deleted member 23692]

It takes a wee bit longer but it's not much more difficult than taking off any other rear wheel. For an Alfine 8 the only extra tool I carry is a 15mm stubby spanner for the axle nuts.

 

[Pale Rider]

Short answer: yes.

Longer answer: nearly all hub gears use a nutted axle, so you will have to carry a 15mm spanner.

There is also the cable to disconnect.

My Shimano Alfine 11 can be done by hand.

Attempting to repair the tube in situ is an option.

I carry a 'snake' tube, but have not had to deploy it.

Even then, you need to slice the old tube to remove it - I also carry a craft knife - or you can possibly tie the old tube out of the way.

http://www.amazon.com/GAADI-TU4509-Parent-Schrader-Valve-Tube/dp/B00HR088OG

 

[shouldbeinbed]

Nothing to it really depends on the linkage, for the main couple of types: either unscrew the 2 part threaded mini chain, Brompton, type. Or Alfine, direct cable operated type should have a little slot for a small allen key to manually rotate the tension off & unhook the cable end nut from its housing on the hub assembly. Either way it is a matter of seconds to do and refit & the rest is no differe t to a non QR derailleur set up

 

[BrumJim]

Thanks for that. It'll make my next tube change much easier.

Oh, and in case you hadn't guessed, it is possible to change an inner tube without disconnecting the gear cable. Just a little tricky.

 

[outlash]

Not that I've had to do it on my hub geared bike but the only thing I'd be wary of is getting the chain tension back to where it should be because the Alfine hub is a little fussy. Not sure about the sturmy-archer hubs though.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

Thanks for that. It'll make my next tube change much easier.

Oh, and in case you hadn't guessed, it is possible to change an inner tube without disconnecting the gear cable. Just a little tricky.

Yes I did that on my Alfine hub for a bit before I downloaded the tech specs & realised that the gear unhitch was so easy. I just undid the nub nuts, lifted the wheel clear enough of the dropouts to slide everything in and out on the non drive side, even swapping tyres completely over. It is a heck of a lot easier now I've found the unhitch slot though. 2.5mm allen key or a bit of metal coat hanger works fine.

@outlash what tension device do you have? My Alfine bike has an eccentric BB that is good for lots of miles and occasionally having the wheel out without losing the indexing.

 

[outlash]

It's a Genesis Day One with horizontal drop outs and tensioning screws, so you have to loosen them before you can drop the chain. Not a biggie but it's another little job when taking the back wheel off.

 

[EasyPeez]

Thanks for the replies everyone - sounds like it's not too daunting so long as 15mm spanner and multi-tool is packed.

Sorry but I don't understand this -

I carry a 'snake' tube, but have not had to deploy it.

Even then, you need to slice the old tube to remove it - I also carry a craft knife - or you can possibly tie the old tube out of the way.

Isn't it just getting the wheel off that's different? Once off isn't changing the tube just like on any other bike? Why the need for slicing tubes?

 

[EasyPeez]

[QUOTE 3827844, member: 259"]Those tubes aren't circular, they are long with two sealed ends. You just pop them in and away you go, no need to touch the hub.

They are getting more popular here now - I'd never seen one a couple of years back.[/QUOTE]

So it's a choice between unhitching the hub, taking the wheel off and fitting a standard tube or leaving the hub be, easing the tyre off while the wheel is still on the bike and fitting a snake tube?

 

[MichaelW2]

I find my Alfine is not very sensitive to chain tension. I have an EEB (with vertical dropouts) and adjust it very occasionally.

 

[Ihatehills]

I'd never heard of a snake tube before just a minute ago, I like that alot both simple and ingenious in the at the same time

 

[Pale Rider]

I'd never heard of a snake tube before just a minute ago, I like that alot both simple and ingenious in the at the same time

The Gaadi ones are reckoned to be quite good because they have a butt 'join'.

Previous versions overlapped which caused problems because friction at the overlap led to failure.

The Gaddi I have is a 29er, but it's heavier and bigger when deflated than a regular tube.

In other words, the material is heavy duty.

 

[mjr]

Not that I've had to do it on my hub geared bike but the only thing I'd be wary of is getting the chain tension back to where it should be because the Alfine hub is a little fussy. Not sure about the sturmy-archer hubs though.

Is it only Alfine that's fussy or all Nexus?

Sturmy Archer AW3 is fairly tolerant and easy to set tension by hand.

 

[Pale Rider]

There is another possible Alfine problem which is related to tension.

Depending on the shape of the dropouts, the extra pressure on the drive side can pull that end of the axle forward.

The hub is then running out of true with a misaligned/slack chain which it seems not to like.

First clue is often problems with gearchange indexing.

Keeping the axle bolts tight usually cures it, but it seems to me some makers slap an Alfine into a frame/dropouts designed for a derailleur.