Fixing a flat on a wheel with an internal hub

First flat on my commuter with an internal hub and of course it's on the rear wheel.  Does removing the wheel work the same as a regular wheel?  Any tips and tricks I should know?  Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by WillG on May 21, 2013 at 4:55am

Works like any other rear wheel. Take it off, replace tube, put it back on.

Permalink Reply by S on May 21, 2013 at 5:19am

I think the IGH is a bit more complicated since there's a shift cable attached and possibly a brake cable.  What model do you have?  Someone on the list might be able give you more detailed info with this information.

Will G - 10mi said:

Works like any other rear wheel. Take it off, replace tube, put it back on.

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on May 21, 2013 at 5:33am

You should probably stop giving mechanical advice...

It really depends on the specific hub you have but there will be some extra steps.

Rotary shift hubs will require disconnecting the cable from the hub but they will maintain adjustment.  If you have not done it before it can be tricky.

Shimano 3spd hubs you just remove the indicator body from the hub and be careful not to loose the shift rod.  They also hold adjustment.

Sturmey 3 and 5 speeds that use an indicator chain you have to unhook the cable from the indicator chain to remove the hub.  When you hook it all back up you will have to readjust the cable tension for it to shift properly; failure to get it right can damage the hub.

Will G - 10mi said:

Works like any other rear wheel. Take it off, replace tube, put it back on.

Permalink Reply by WillG on May 21, 2013 at 5:39am

So you don't take the wheel off, replace the tube, and then put the wheel back on?

That was a joke DUG, chill out Mr Huffypants.

notoriousDUG said:

You should probably stop giving mechanical advice...

It really depends on the specific hub you have but there will be some extra steps.

Rotary shift hubs will require disconnecting the cable from the hub but they will maintain adjustment.  If you have not done it before it can be tricky.

Shimano 3spd hubs you just remove the indicator body from the hub and be careful not to loose the shift rod.  They also hold adjustment.

Sturmey 3 and 5 speeds that use an indicator chain you have to unhook the cable from the indicator chain to remove the hub.  When you hook it all back up you will have to readjust the cable tension for it to shift properly; failure to get it right can damage the hub.

Will G - 10mi said:

Works like any other rear wheel. Take it off, replace tube, put it back on.

Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on May 21, 2013 at 5:58am

Also, and perhaps you already ruled this out, but in a lot of cases if one can find the source of puncture on the tire the tube can be patched while leaving the wheel on the bike. If there is a nail or a big piece of glass sticking out of your tire, that is probably where your leak is. Or if the tire is on the new side, the glass or other object may be gone but you might have one obvious place on the tire where an object had recently pierced the tire. Your leak may be there. Unmount the tire, pull out the suspect area of the tube, inflate, inspect and patch.

2. The PITA nature of rear tire repair with a > 2 speed internal geared hub plus coaster brake is why I'm currently riding fixed and my next build is a 2 speed project.

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on May 21, 2013 at 6:39am

My first flat ever was, of course, on the rear with the 8-speed Shimano internal gear hub.  I walked it over to the LBS.  The guy who fixed it was relatively new to internal hubs and had to keep asking the more experienced guy how to disconnect and reconnect.  I replaced the perfectly good tire with a Schwalbe Marathon Plus.  Next time it might not be so convenient to get to a LBS!

Permalink Reply by Jamais716 on May 21, 2013 at 7:43am

It's a Jamis Commuter 4 - http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?year=2008&bra.... Shimano Alfine 8-speed hub with trigger shifters

It's a slow leak with no obvious cause.  I picked some tiny glass bits out of the tire but riding from the West side, I'm always picking out tiny glass bits.  Thanks for all the info Doug!  I think I'll take it to open shop at West Town for some guidance so I don't mess up the hub.

Permalink Reply by Dan Allison on May 21, 2013 at 7:51am

one of my bikes has an alfine 8 IGH with disc brakes. removing the rear wheel is pretty simple. not as simple as a derailleur bike with QR, but still pretty simple:

1. loosen the axle nuts with a 15mm wrench.

2. stick a small allen wrench in the shift cable holder and pull back to release tension on the shift cable.

3. pull the shift cable nut out of its socket.

4. remove the wheel.

having the IGH married to disc brakes is pretty nice because IGH's that use roller or drum brakes usually require additional steps to remove the wheel. reinstalling the wheel is a snap too because my IGH/disc brake set-up has vertical drop-outs (it uses an EBB for chain tension) so there's nothing to readjust or realign.

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on May 22, 2013 at 3:14am

Ah, so somebody asked for real help with a complex issue and you made a joke of it.

HILARIOUS!

Will G - 10mi said:

So you don't take the wheel off, replace the tube, and then put the wheel back on?

That was a joke DUG, chill out Mr Huffypants.

notoriousDUG said:

You should probably stop giving mechanical advice...

It really depends on the specific hub you have but there will be some extra steps.

Rotary shift hubs will require disconnecting the cable from the hub but they will maintain adjustment.  If you have not done it before it can be tricky.

Shimano 3spd hubs you just remove the indicator body from the hub and be careful not to loose the shift rod.  They also hold adjustment.

Sturmey 3 and 5 speeds that use an indicator chain you have to unhook the cable from the indicator chain to remove the hub.  When you hook it all back up you will have to readjust the cable tension for it to shift properly; failure to get it right can damage the hub.

Will G - 10mi said:

Works like any other rear wheel. Take it off, replace tube, put it back on.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on May 22, 2013 at 3:32am

Thanks!  Does any have additional trips for an 8 speed IGH (Sturmey Archer) with drum brake?

Dan Allison 14.5 mi said:

one of my bikes has an alfine 8 IGH with disc brakes. removing the rear wheel is pretty simple. not as simple as a derailleur bike with QR, but still pretty simple:

1. loosen the axle nuts with a 15mm wrench.

2. stick a small allen wrench in the shift cable holder and pull back to release tension on the shift cable.

3. pull the shift cable nut out of its socket.

4. remove the wheel.

having the IGH married to disc brakes is pretty nice because IGH's that use roller or drum brakes usually require additional steps to remove the wheel. reinstalling the wheel is a snap too because my IGH/disc brake set-up has vertical drop-outs (it uses an EBB for chain tension) so there's nothing to readjust or realign.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on May 22, 2013 at 3:34am

Dug - Thank you for your continued mechanical advice. Much appreciated.

Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on May 22, 2013 at 4:05am

I helped a rider out a while ago who had a flat on their bike with an internal hub, we didn't have the tools (or the know how) to remove the wheel. We just left the wheel installed on the bike while we patched the tube. Simple enough, as long as it's not a blow-out type flat.

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