Sturmey or Shimano - ?

[simongt]

My commuting bike, a GT Bravado currently equipped with a Shimano 8 x 3 speed derailleur need replacement of cassette, chain & middle front ring. I travel about 100 or so miles a week in all weathers to work. Now this is the third cassette, second chainring and third chain in four years. The front & rear mech. are original and the bike is seventeen years old, so they will need replacing pretty soon I guess.
I had a Sturmey 5 speed put on my street bike a few years ago and have never regretted that move. So I'm considering having an 8 speed hub conversion for my Bravado.

So, the question is do I get a Sturmey X-RF8 or a Shimano Nexus Inter 8 - ? My criteria is that whatever I choose must be reliable in the long term. The Bravado has drop bars and I want to keep them.

Advice, views and the wisdom of experience would be much appreciated before I take the 'plunge' - !

 

[Deleted member 1258]

My commuting bike, a GT Bravado currently equipped with a Shimano 8 x 3 speed derailleur need replacement of cassette, chain & middle front ring. I travel about 100 or so miles a week in all weathers to work. Now this is the third cassette, second chainring and third chain in four years. The front & rear mech. are original and the bike is seventeen years old, so they will need replacing pretty soon I guess.
I had a Sturmey 5 speed put on my street bike a few years ago and have never regretted that move. So I'm considering having an 8 speed hub conversion for my Bravado.

So, the question is do I get a Sturmey X-RF8 or a Shimano Nexus Inter 8 - ? My criteria is that whatever I choose must be reliable in the long term. The Bravado has drop bars and I want to keep them.

Advice, views and the wisdom of experience would be much appreciated before I take the 'plunge' - !

Is it worth the expense involved in the conversion with a 17 year old bike?

 

[mickle]

I'm afraid to say that Sturmey don't have a great reputation for reliability. Which is a shame. Because I hate Shi**no as a company although their components are second to none. However Shi**no internal hubs are currently and for the foreseeable future, unavailable.

Hope this helps.

 

[simongt]

Is it worth the expense involved in the conversion with a 17 year old bike?

As the whole frame & forks are Reynolds 631, new rims were fitted last year, it rides very comfortably over distance and carries full panniers without a twitch, then yes, it is worth the conversion - !

 

[snorri]

My criteria is that whatever I choose must be reliable in the long term.

I would say Rohloff, but that would mean replacing your back rim again.

 

[simongt]

However Shi**no internal hubs are currently and for the foreseeable future, unavailable.

If that is the case, then why do they appear to be available on t'net from various suppliers - ?

 

[simongt]

I would say Rohloff, but that would mean replacing your back rim again.

But at about £900 before even beginning the rest of the conversion, that's as much as I paid for the bike - ! It is a great bit of kit though - !

 

[mickle]

If that is the case, then why do they appear to be available on t'net from various suppliers - ?

Yes, that's true. I had in my mind the total unavailability of the example we tend to fit which is the roller brake splined eight. Other variants do have better avails.

 

[MichaelW2]

How will you tension the chain on the GT? Does it have track ends or horizontal dropouts?
I have been using Shimano Alfine for about 8 years of all-weather commuting, with no problems. You do need occasional chain replacements, about 1/year, unless I'm doing something wrong.

 

[Klassikbike]

How About the Shimano Di2 8 Speed Hubs paired with the Alfine Drop-bar levers
Shimano ST-S705
and
SG-S505

 

[simongt]

How will you tension the chain on the GT? Does it have track ends or horizontal dropouts?[/QUOTE

With a Surley Singleator chain tensioner; the same device I had fitted to my GT Outpost when I went ' hub ' on that a few years ago.