Quote Originally Posted by NbyNW View Post
I don't have any experience with the Sturmey Archer, but I do have an SRAM DualDrive on my Dahon that has three settings. On top of that I've got a 9-ring rear cassette, so 27 possible gear settings.

A couple advantages to the internal hub gear, in addition to what has already been mentioned:

1. You can shift while a stand-still. Great for city riding, as I often find myself stopped at the bottom of a hill.

2. I don't have to worry about cross-chaining with my rear cassette (biggest front + littlest back or vice-versa). Not a concern on the Pashleys, I still thought it was worth mentioning.


When you do a test-ride, I also recommend that you ask the salesperson or mechanic to show you the ins-and-outs of how the hub gear works, especially if you are one who likes to do her own basic maintenance and repairs. The SRAM DualDrive has a "clickbox" which connects the hub to the gearshift cables, and it needs to come off if I want to remove the rear wheel to change an inner tube. It's a bit fiddly to get the clickbox back on, and that's the only time the internal hub gear annoys me. The rest of the time I don't give it a second thought and it works like a dream. I don't know if the Sturmey Archer connects the same way, but I would imagine that any reputable dealer should be able to answer your questions about how it works and what you need to know.

Good luck, those Pashleys are beautiful!
So what you are saying is that you can get a bike with a rear internal hub and multiple chainrings up front? I didn't know that. Hmmmm.