Spectro S7 hub

S R Sharp said:

Finally rode this contraption and noticed something odd almost
immediately: the hub doesn't shift while pedaling. I can
twist the shifter all I want and nothing happens until I stop
pedaling momentarily, then it will immediately go to whatever
gear the shifter indicates. Brand-new hub, shifter, cables,
etc. Any suggestions? Is this normal for this hub? I've
ridden (briefly) old 3-speeds, a recent Shimano 4-speed, and a
Rohloff, and they all shifted while pedaling.

I find that the pause is sometimes necessary, so I got into the
habit long ago.

I've found that a momentary pause in peddling pressure (enough
to cause a hint of overrun) is enough to get reliable shifting
when changing up.

When changing down (here you're relying on spring tension to
effect the change), actual backpeddling is sometimes required.
This is particularly so in gears 1 and 2.

I've got 19,000 km up on mine, and I haven't noticed any
difference in behaviour since new. Having said that, complete
failure to shift into the lower gears indicates that it's time
to replace the cable (frayed ends are binding in the conduit).

John

S R Sharp said:

Finally rode this contraption and noticed something odd almost
immediately: the hub doesn't shift while pedaling. I can twist the
shifter all I want and nothing happens until I stop pedaling
momentarily, then it will immediately go to whatever gear the shifter
indicates. Brand-new hub, shifter, cables, etc. Any suggestions? Is
this normal for this hub? I've ridden (briefly) old 3-speeds, a recent
Shimano 4-speed, and a Rohloff, and they all shifted while pedaling.

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This break in pedalling torque is necessary to complete the shift in every internally geared hub I have ever used with the exception of the Rohloff. It is definitly normal for the Spectro 7.
The gears are torque locked when transmitting power, and the shifter merely applies pressure, it is not positive motion.
I have a Sachs Super 7, as well as a Rohloff, and I have ridden Shimano and Sturmy Archers as well. I find the Sachs very user friendly compared to the others (excepting Rohloff) once you get used to that little pause in the power.
Give it time. It's not too bad.
Dan

S R Sharp said:

Finally rode this contraption and noticed something odd almost
immediately: the hub doesn't shift while pedaling. ... Is
this normal for this hub?

Yep, I'd say that's normal. I have one, and I've ridden one other.
Neither would shift under load. It's one of the downsides of the hub,
especially when you forget to shift in advance of a hill. It took me a
few hundred miles to get used to it.

Quoted message said:

I've ridden (briefly) old 3-speeds, a recent
Shimano 4-speed, and a Rohloff, and they all shifted while pedaling.

My experience is different. The old 3-speeds that I've ridden did not
shift under load. I have no experience with the newer Shimanos or the
Rohloff.

--
Dave
dvt at psu dot edu

S R Sharp said:

Finally rode this contraption and noticed something odd almost
immediately: the hub doesn't shift while pedaling. I can twist the
shifter all I want and nothing happens until I stop pedaling
momentarily, then it will immediately go to whatever gear the shifter
indicates. Brand-new hub, shifter, cables, etc. Any suggestions? Is
this normal for this hub? I've ridden (briefly) old 3-speeds, a recent
Shimano 4-speed, and a Rohloff, and they all shifted while pedaling.

Although you might shift under load sometimes, all the
referenced hubs shift better if you ease up on the pedals. A
quick peek at the exploded diagrams will show why - sliding
clutch/cage assemblies.

--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

dvt said:

My experience is different. The old 3-speeds that I've ridden did not
shift under load. I have no experience with the newer Shimanos or the
Rohloff.

That's one of the remarkable things about the new Nexus 8-speed, they
shift surprisingly well (especially downshifting) under load.

Sheldon "Nexi" Brown
+----------------------------------------------+
| My mind is aglow with whirling, transient |
| nodes of thought careening through a cosmic |
| vapor of invention! --Mel Brooks |
+----------------------------------------------+
Harris Cyclery, West Newton, Massachusetts
Phone 617-244-9772 FAX 617-244-1041
http://harriscyclery.com
Hard-to-find parts shipped Worldwide
http://captainbike.com http://sheldonbrown.com

Sheldon Brown said:

+----------------------------------------------+
| My mind is aglow with whirling, transient |
| nodes of thought careening through a cosmic |
| vapor of invention! --Mel Brooks |
+----------------------------------------------+

Ditto.

Sheldon Brown said:

dvt said:

My experience is different. The old 3-speeds that I've ridden did not
shift under load. I have no experience with the newer Shimanos or the
Rohloff.

That's one of the remarkable things about the new Nexus 8-speed, they
shift surprisingly well (especially downshifting) under load.

Too bad they weren't available when I got my SRAM. And if other people's
reports are any indication, this hub might outlast me. So I may never
try a Nexus.

--
Dave
dvt at psu dot edu

Neil Brooks said:

Sheldon Brown said:

+----------------------------------------------+
| My mind is aglow with whirling, transient |
| nodes of thought careening through a cosmic |
| vapor of invention! --Mel Brooks |
+----------------------------------------------+

Ditto.

Double-ditto. Particularly when I start thinking about all those
whirling, spinning sun and planet gears careening through a Nexus or
Rohloff hub.

Anybody know if this Shimano Nexus 3-speed hub:
http://tinyurl.com/9zgho
is available in the U.S.? The only one on the U.S. site is the
coaster-brake version.

Jeff