I have a 2006 Marin Nail Trail set up I am using as a winter bike, I would like to upgrade the drive-train (cassette is missing teeth and really bad at handling winter grim). My first idea is an internal-gear hub, however, this frame has a vertical drop-out. I have seen some single-speeds and internal-hubs set up with a chain-tensioner to allow you to make the conversion on a vertical drop-out. What are the pros and cons of this set-up? Should I just start from scratch with a new bike? Thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

http://surlybikes.com/parts/singleator

Surly Singleator??

I use a Singleator on my winter ride with a spacer kit to make the cassette hub single speed. Totally holds up to the winter sludge and it's easy to take it apart for cleaning\overhaul. Worth the $$. I don't see why it wouldn't work with an IGH.

A singleator works as does a standard tensioner with the adjustment screws set to lock it down.

I run a singleator to convert my (vertical dropout) LHT for use with a Nexus 8 and I use a tensioner to convert my Big Dummy for use with a Rohloff.

I did have trouble with the singulator on the BD as it didn't provide quite enough tension to deal with chain waves over that length.

I've also seen people who have adapted roller tensioners like you see on 'bents.

Anyway, no need for a new bike, it sounds like you're on the right track.

You will want to do a bit of research on your best bet for IG hubs - some of them have a bit of trouble in really cold weather. Some hubs seem more tolerant and others do well if you use a weather-appropriate grease in them.

I believe I've seen some fairly informative threads somewhere on these forums about it. I think that bikesmith knows the range of options fairly well, so maybe he'll chime in if he sees this thread.

I am actually using an old Shimano RD as a singleator on my old Raleigh. I was going to convert to a real singleator but this works so well I am just leaving it as-is. I have a new-in-the-box single speed conversion kit I picked up for something like $18 (includes generic tensioner, spacers) if you are interested in trying this route, though.

there is an Alfine tensioner as well. The Novara Fusion is set up this way. Obviously a very different intent bike, but you can see how it looks.

I've had a Nexus and an Alfine on my winter bikes. After three winters of IGHs I decided I'd rather deal with a regular derailleur and dirt and wear and tear associated with riding it in the winter than put up with slow hubs in the cold weather.

The alfine tensioners seem like a good product, though I've never had one on any of my bikes.

I have my Karate Monkey set up as a 1x9 which works really well and I think gives me a wider gear range than the Alfine.

I still have my Alfine and am debating selling it vs. trying lighter weight lube.

Not unheard of for those who ride in winter to change out the oil bath in the Alfine. When I lived in AK for awhile, and the fatbike market was getting going, it was common to run an alfine on the Pugsley frame (as it was sold frame only at the time). Anyway, the issue it that the bike needed to stay cold. With the lighter oil in the hub, it would run past the seals over about 35 degrees. However, for those I talked to who tried it, the performance at zero or below was well worth the trouble.

Around here though, I agree 1x9 would probably be much less hassle, and has enough gear range.

Do you know what kind of lube they used?

Not directly, but if you call (don't e-mail, call) Greg at Speedway cycles, he can give you the 411.

my special lady friend is running a SA 3 speed rear hub on a frame with vertical drops. she's using a cheap sun tensioner. i had to add a half link to get the right tension which was a little annoying. but otherwise everything is okey dokey. the hub stocks them, i think they run a little under $20.

Thank for all the input! I will making the upgrade to the winter bike soon (won't need the winter bike for quite awhile!)

This has worked best for me with alfine and nexus.

It took me a while... but I made the upgrade to my winter machine, for now it's a single-speed. The internal hub is going to wait. With only a few miles on it, I'm happy with the single-speed conversion. Set up with 42:16 and used a Origin8 Single Speed Conversion Kit