How does internal gear hubs work?

Internal-gear hubs work on the principle of “planetary gearing.” Thus, the wheel turns 3 times for every 4 revolutions of the sprocket, lowering the gear by 25%. Middle Gear has the sprocket still driving the gear ring, but the gear ring drives the hub. Thus, the drive is direct.

Are internal gear hubs good?

Internal gear hubs are excellent for bicycle touring or commuting- Many expedition bicycle tourists choose to ride with an IGH for more peace of mind. Commuters like them for the same reason. There is simply less to worry about in terms of maintenance and repairs. You get to spend more time riding.

How do you maintain an internal gear hub?

Internal gear hubs are easier to maintain than standard derailleur systems. The main thing you need to do is keep the proper tension on your chain and lubricate it periodically. With a derailleur and cassette system you have to regularly clean your rear cogs and derailleur to keep them shifting smoothly.

How does 3 speed internal hub work?

Three speed hubs use a planetary gear system to achieve a gear ratio between the sprocket and the wheel. In this gear system the sun gear is fixed in place while the planet carier is rotated. This causes the planet gears to rotate which in turn causes the ring gear to rotate. The rider selects a speed using a shifter.

How do you maintain internal hub gears?

Clean the inside of the hub shell. Apply grease to the bearings and clutch rollers. I also inject 3cc or 4cc of the special Shimano oil (ice cream topping) between the gears before putting everything back together. Reinsert the cartridge and wipe off the excess grease.

Is internal gear hub worth it?

Why use an internal gear hub?

Here are other reasons to consider using an internal hear hub on your bicycle: One of the greatest advantages of an internal gear hub is that all the moving components essential for shifting are fully contained in a sealed unit which is the hub. This means that they are 100% protected from dirt, water, grime, road salt, debris, and the like.

How reliable are internal gear hubs?

Internal-gear hubs are more reliable than derailer systems, and require much less maintenance. The step-up ratios of their top gears make oversize chainrings unnecessary on small-wheel bicycles. Unlike derailers, internal-gear hubs can shift at a stop, very nice in stop-and-go urban traffic.

How does an internal gear hub work?

Internal gearing is so called because all the gears involved are hidden within a wheel hub. Hub gears work using internal planetary, or epicyclic, gearing which alters the speed of the hub casing and wheel relative to the speed of the drive sprocket. They have just a single chainring and a single rear sprocket,…