Nexus hub gears

[rolex]

I have a new commuting bike, Spez Globe elite with these gears and I have been told it's a pig to fit the rear wheel back after changing tyres and inner tubes. Apparently there is a spring that launches into orbit when the wheel is taken off. Any advice please? Is this a job best left to the LBS?

[mk1fan]

You're going to have to learn to do it some time so I would suggest going into your LBS when it's quiet (weekday morning or afternoon) and get them to show you.

Yes they are fiddily but once you know what to do you'll get the knack.

[Mekon]

I've not yet bothered to learn, despite having two hub geared bikes. I was advised to fix the puncture without removing the wheel: over-inflate, listen for the whistle, deflate, pop the bead in that area and just pull a length of inner out, reinflate so that the puncture is obvious, then fix. Works for me, and it appears to be the norm from others I've spoken to.

I am sure it's easy enough to reinstall the hubs, but if, like me, you have a full mudguard, rack, enclosed chainguard, chaintensioners, etc, it may still be quicker to fix with the wheel in place. I'll just add that I had to buy a new front wheel recently, ad the previous owner busted the front dynohub, probably through incorrectly reinstalling it.

I am currently running Schwalbe big apples and marathon plus. No punctures so far.

Edited by Mekon on Monday 18th August 12:45