>>1107163>the main advantages to an igh are not having to worry about bending the derailer hanger, having a perfect chainline, and that it looks coolAnd less maintenance, and better shifting.
> require a custom built rear wheel (also expensive)It really doesn't cost that much to have someone lace a rim onto the hub and the rim and spokes themselves can be quite cheap.
> if they break out in the middle of nowhere you're extremely fuckedSure, but they're less likely to break. If your frame snaps you're also fucked but you don't worry about that.
> they're less efficient than a normal drivetrainTrue, but it's not a massive amount (about 4-8% depending on the gear).
>usually have less gear rangeAlfine 11 is similar to a road double and a Speedhub is greater, either with a double up front is going to be much greater.
>you have to replace the whole thing when the gears start wearingTechnically true, but with the higher end hubs (Alfine and Speedhub) they're going to last so long it's not really worth considering. A while back I actually tried to find some cases of people wearing them out to try and get a rough idea of how long they could last but I don't think I had much luck.
>>1107154Unlike a chain you're extremely unlikely to need to replace the belt. Newer designs are supposedly better with crap getting between the belt and pulleys.
