>>1718670I think he means rod-connected drum brakes, not rod brakes-to-rim like on the old Raleigh Tourists.
That said, I've had to come to realize that IGH have serious drawbacks- esp. if changing flats.
>>1718671It is impractical in hilly areas, I agree. I wish they'd make a chromoly ver. that weighed 23, ditched a tube, a few more minor changes and you can bring it down to at least 20. Personally, I had an o.g. Raleigh Superbe, with Sturmey Archer, dynohub, o.g. steel fenders, fork lock, rack, bell and lights, I alloyed a few parts on it (crank, rims, stem, seatpost, bars, kickstand, brakes, headset.,), and it weighed in at only like, ~14kg., (which was a massive improvement, but it shows what's possible if you keep weight in mind!) It removed the weight as a factor in being an obstacle to its daily use.
>>1718673I've experienced this myself. I live atop a big hill, put on a very tall stem to get upright, but now have realized that getting up that hill on my bike is actually quite painful to my back, and I'm now moving toward a hybrid design (even thinking of going for a road bike with panniers and dynamo hub).
>>1718685I've noticed this as well. You cannot get a practical motorbike in America, any more than a practical bicycle. You have to really hunt for it, generally used/vintage, special import, or a knockoff that kind of apes it.
>>1718720That thing's gorgeous and would work in more environments than OP's. Some smaller manufacturers are doing manufacturer-direct (e.g., brooklyn bikes, public, etc.,) and are vaguely imitative of this style, which I think works in more places than the dutch bike which can't comfortably climb at speed without injuring the rider through strain, unless in so low a gear that it's a crawl, defeating the purpose.
