Comments on: The Perfect Commuter Bike : Type of Parts

By: Phil

Phil — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 01:28:19 +0000

About 2 years ago I built a commuter bike on an LHT with DualDrive 8 speed. Brooks saddle, semi-upright handlebar, fenders, and recently a dynohub up front. It’s been a great machine for a 3-5 very hilly commute, hauls the child chariot well, and has a nice aesthetic.

Pro of the driveline: easy maintenance, you can use a chainguard if you want, and the three-speed internal is great in stop-and-go traffic.

Con of the driveline: ticktickticktickticktick as you ride along, no matter what gear. Like an old Sturmy 3-speed on Dad’s Raleigh when I was a kid…..ticktickticktickticktickticktick

By: Mike C

Mike C — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 18:07:49 +0000

I ride a Nexus hub on a 19 mile, one-way, slightly hilly commute. If there were any more altitude change, I’d probably be running a standard derailleur setup.

One thing to note: the Alfine chain tensioner is a double-pulley design, built to accommodate the possibility of a front derailleur setup.

Next iteration of my go-to commuter might be a compact double crank and the Nexus 8 wheel.

By: Mark Rainey

Mark Rainey — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 01:57:42 +0000

I built my LHT with Ultegra STI shifters & front derailleur, Shimano XT rear deraileur, Sugino cranks 48/36/26, Sram P990 12-32 cassette. This set up has worked very well for me, even under fully loaded (Panniers, trunk, etc.) rides.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/album.php?aid=67394&id=678707638

By: Rob E.

Rob E. — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:49:26 +0000

I think it’s fine to use more traditional gears if that’s what you want, and I agree that vertical dropouts can make things trickier, but an IGH on a trucker does not necessarily leave you short on gears especially if you have to use a chain tensioner anyway, because that makes throwing on a front derailleur an option. By running a Nuvinci rear hub and a compact double up front, I have a much wider gear range than I had on the 24 speed I had before the LHT. I’ve read of people touring with an Alfine or with a Rohloff. If it works for touring, it will certainly work for commuting.

By: John

John — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:37:09 +0000

I think Deore (or equivelent) strikes the right balance of value and performance. I understand why people like IGH’s, but not on a LHT. It has vertical dropouts and would require a tensioner. And, besides, by chosing a touring frame, I think this build is more geared for longer distance commuting rather than down the block commuting and should have a full selection of gears.

By: Soulfull Commuter

Soulfull Commuter — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:43:46 +0000

I find the 105 group sits in a great value spot. I ride a 1988 Canondale with the original 105 stuff including Bio-Pace chain rings.

I see the appeal of an internal gear hub although I like a triple chainring derailer setup. That may be because I use the full range of my MTB triple on my 10 mile commute.

By: Sean

Sean — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 19:49:42 +0000

that should have been “pod shifters”

By: Sean

Sean — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:51:52 +0000

Alfine is very smooth, and keeps the gearing bits contained and sheltered from the guck. You can also shift at a stop unlike derailleurs which is useful for a loaded up commuter or cargo bike. Disk brake compatible – using standard Shimano centerlock rotors. Shifting cable is a standard gear shift cable too and the shifter is the familiar rapidfire index shifter or a twist shifter, unless you go aftermarket for STI or bar end shifting. Downsides – the weight and potentially the gearing range, though I am running mine with a double chainring in the front (44/34 mountain bike crank) to extend the range. Shifting “low normal” or inverted from a standard derailleur setup so that takes some getting used to if you have other bikes using pod shifetrs (Shimano or SRAM)

By: Shane

Shane — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 06:28:07 +0000

I voted XT only because it was what I have had best of luck with and the Alfine/Rohloff option, while nice, just seems too far out for me (and most?). XT has been long lasting, durable, functional, traditional (easy repair in far off lands)… especially when paired with a thumb shifter.

By: Ghost Rider

Ghost Rider — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 01:55:25 +0000

If you’ve ridden with a Nexus 8 (which is great on its own) and like it, you’ll find an Alfine that much more refined — precise shifting like a Swiss watch and smmmmooooooth. I’ve never tried the disc brake version, but have heard good things about it.