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Internally Geared Hubs FAQs

Can an IGH Go on Any Catrike?

Yup!  We can put an IGH on any Catrike either at time-of-sale or later on as a retrofit.  Though -and this is important- the 3×3 Nine and Rohloff Speedhub can be installed on ANY Catrike, but Shimano and Sturmey Archer IGHs haven’t yet brought out updates compatible with the stiffer A12 Thru Axle frames that Catrike offers on many models.   Ask us if you need a bit more explanation.

Depends.  The less expensive IGH’s can add four or five hundred dollars to your trike.  The spendy 3×3 Nine and Rohloff Speedhub are both $2000 Plus!  The less expensive IGH’s have a narrower gear range and lower durability.  But -and these are important “Buts”- you might not need that extra gear range if it’s pretty flat where you ride and you might not need that extra durability if you’re not riding in punishing or critical need environments (more on that topic below).  So, again, ask us if you need more explanation.

Sure, most IGH’s are more durable than derailleurs.  But, most of our customers ride for years on derailleurs without any incident.  The Catrike drivetrain -derailleurs, shifters, casettes and cabling are lightweight and durable.  If you’re riding punishing terrain.  Or, you’re on a cross country tour. Or, in another country -with limited bike shops and limited parts- an IGH is fantastic.  If you’re putting lots of miles commuting and can’t afford a breakdown?  These are ALL reasons for an IGH.  We cover one more important reason in the section below.

Often.  One of the biggest advantages of an IGH is being able to shift ANY time.  You can shift while you ride.  You can shift from a standstill.  This is a big deal because you CAN’T shift from a standstill on a derailleur.  If you find yourself stuck at a dead stop on an uphill, an IGH can be shifted to an easier climbing gear.  A derailleur?  You’ll be pulling yourself out of the trike so you can pick up the back end and spin it around.

Depends.  The Catrike drivetrain already offers over 550% gearing range.  That’s the largest stock gearing range of any trike -and more than ANY IGH offers.  But, over 1/3 of Catrike’s gear range comes from the three front chainrings -which you’d lose if a motor kit is installed.  Now, if you have a motor, you might not miss that lost gearing.  Or, you might.  If you do, an IGH gives it back.    

Yup.  All the time.  We’re comfortable pairing the smooth, subtle Bosch Active Line with ANY IGH.  Motors with more torque, though, might destroy lesser IGH’s, so we’re more likely to recommend the beefier 3×3 or Speedhub. 

EShift IGH

Both the 3×3 and Speedhub can be integrated with the Bosch motor kit for electronic shifting.  Then, a paddle shifter (like on a Ferrari!!) allows you to shift up or down.  As of 2025, electronic shifting ONLY works with the Bosch motor kit.  So, we can’t do 3×3 or Rohloff electronic shifting with Bafang or any other motor kit.

Shouldn’t be -at least for the 3×3 Nine and Rohloff Speedhub -which both have a no-tools-required external shift boxes.  The Shimano and Sturmey Archer are a bit more cumbersome to remove and reinstall -but, we can train you to do that!

Excellent question.  The answer -at least for Mel- is a hearty “Yes!”.  Sure, I’m old.  Sure I’m slow. Sure I’m bald as a coot.  But, when some roadie rolls up on his steel frame fixie commuter (“hand-braised”, he’ll share without being asked), the inevitable condescending sneer will evaporate at the sight of my 3×3 Nine and -instead- I’ll be on the receiving end of a very gratifying “DUDE!”.  You can’t put a price tag on that level of affirmation!

Rohloff Vs 3x3 Nine

We offer several Internally Geared Hubs (“IGH”), but none more robust than the Rohloff Speedhub and the 3×3 Nine.  In this video, we put them side-by-side

  • General Description
  • IGH vs Derailleurs
  • Use Cases
  • Feature Comparison

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