Shimano Nexus Inter 7 Hub: Gear train power loss?

Date: Mon, 28 Apr 2003 17:44:13 GMT
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.tech
Size: 715 bytes

My 2003 Van Dessel SuperFly "all 'rounder"/city bike is equipped with the
Shimano Nexus Inter 7 planetary gear hub and roller brake.
I don't have the necessary instrumentation to offer any quantified evidence;
but in certain gears, it feels like the hub is eating a lot of pedalling
energy. It is quite noticeable.
This doesn't really surprise me. I know there are dozens of gears spinning
around in an oil bath inside the Nexus hub, and that's going to be less
efficient than 2 sprockets* and a chain.
I've read that the SRAM/Sachs 7 speed internal hub is a better design. Any
comments?
-Barry
* Why do I feel the need to dance to German techno music wearing a black
bodysuit when I say the word "Sprockets"?