You need to contact the dealer who sold the bike to you to solve your bike’s problems. But that wouldn’t have been bakfiets.nl since they only sell to dealers. Workcycles is very careful about packing and shipping and we rarely have our bikes damaged in transport.

But concerning your Shimano Nexus 7 hub: It’s unlikely that the shifting problem has anything to do with the transport damage. To begin with the Nexus 7 isn’t a good hub which is why we don’t sell them. It’s known for its inefficiency, vulnerability and clunky shifting. The newer 8sp is a much better hub in every way except for it’s being more expensive. That’s why we use it and have to charge more for our bikes.

But it should still be possible to get your (new) hub shifting properly. The problem is most likely in the cable; either the tension is incorrect or there is a kink in the inner cable causing friction. If adjusting the cable tension doesn’t fix it somebody will have to open up the cable and see what’s going on. If that doesn’t work there’s a problem inside your hub. Sometimes a careless or unskilled mechanic will tighten the cones too much binding up the internals. That’s pretty easy to fix but beyond that… well, good luck finding somebody in Italy to open an internal gear hub, diagnose the problem properly, fix it and put it all back together again.

Good luck.

OK, I could see that a trike would be handy to ride together with a tike on a little bike. I do that a lot on the Cargobike, which also works just fine. We often do this on the sidewalk or small paths though, where the much wider Nihola would be a hindrance.

We like the NuVinci hub but for the time being we only offer them as a custom (i.e. expensive handbuilt) option. The only way to purchase them for a reasonable price is to order a couple hundred from China and thus far we just don’t see the market to justify that inventory.

The IM70 rollerbrake has since been replaced by the IM80, same idea with a few improvements. I’ve had these on my own Fr8 for about a year with good results.

Cargo version of the Cargobike you mean? These have special, hand-made boxes which are very expensive to produce, as well as various upgrades as needed to withstand the abuses of commercial users. Basically Cargo Delivery bikes are made to order for the needs of each customer.

Your blog is absolutely wonderful. I was very sorry to read about the robbery, but glad to hear that you nor anyone else was harmed.

On the bakfiet subject, I’m happy to say that we just bought and received our first bakfiet. We ordered it from Bakfiets.nl and had it shipped to us in Italy. Unfortunately, it was not shipped well. The bike was literally just laying across a pallet and wasn’t strapped to anything. Needless to say, the bike arrived with some minor cosmetic damage and problems with the first three gears. We ordered the Shimano 7 and the first three gears keep giving me problems. While pedaling, it doesn’t catch ( the chain) and the pedals slip forward. It also makes a banging sound. We brought it to a bike shop here and they sent us away. It looks like it’s up to us to repair it. Any suggestions?

I must protest the idea that trikes (i.e. Nihola) are only appealing because of local trends. I’m actually here researching the possibly of getting a 2-wheeler to go with my Nihola, so both Mom and Dad can carry crap when on tour. (Plus daily chores.)

For the record, the Nihola is just delightful for following slow kids on their bikes, or for touring forests on horse or mountain bike trails (that can be some work). I’ve driven it through mud and water, over roots and rocks, up and down curbs. Also it’s been on tours of about 60 km in a day, with kids on board (that can be some work, too).

Anyway, you mentioned the NuVinci hub, are you thinking about offering that sometime? (With the IM70 roller brake?) Also why does the cargo version start at a higher price than the standard bike?

In the meantime here’s a quick explanation without attempting to go into details:
1. Put bike on centerstand and support it so that rear wheel is in the air and cranks can be turned.
2. Pry open the access hatch of chaincase with a blunt object.
3. Loosen axle nuts and brake reaction arm just enough for axle to move fore and aft
4. Adjust the 10mm axle tug bolts to adjust the chain tension. Don’t overtighten; the chain should never be pulled taught even at the tightest point in the chainring and cog’s rotation. Turn the cranks several times while checking chain tension to be sure.
5. Center wheel using left axle tug.
6. Tighten everything up again.
7. Tighten EVERYTHING up again… even the brake reaction arm strap.

I would like to know the proper chain tension for the bakfiets. It is making a little sound somewhat like it may be hitting the chain garde. Is there a youTUbe video somewhere to show how to adjust the chain?

A picture/photo? Anything!?

Thanks!

Thanks anyway…

I presume you are at ‘info@workcycles.com’? I fired you an email a day or two ago, keen to get a quote for NuVinci 360 hub (36h in silver), and also for a full wheel build on the same hub with ‘Rigida’ rim (or similar) in silver, suitable for a FF 996 bakfiets. It has magura rim brakes on it. To be sent to NZ. Please let me know. thanks Edward