-
Ah sorry, yeah bell crank is shit, the s&a chain isn't much better, it also sticks out (I've got one on a charge steamer)...
As I said 3 speed is shit!
The mechanism in the nexus 7+ gears works better and looks better.
Khornight2-
7 & 8 spd Nexus are draggy and hard to maintain: special tools needed to strip down, no spares available only a complete internal, expensive grease or oil dip, plus less reliable than the old three speeds as tend to take in water, I am on my second 8 spd one. 8 spd Alfine better. 11 spd Alfine seems to be even less reliable judging by what is reported on the net, though maybe less drag due to oil lube.
What have you got against the toggle chain? It is very robust and trouble free and is a design that has been around since 1902 on millions of bikes across the world. It does stick out slightly but what problem does that actually cause seeing as you can throw it down on the ground repeatedly without problem, as every kid in the 60s and 70s knew.
niggle
It is the Nexus that has the bell crank, the SA has the good old bomb proof toggle chain, or now the new rotary shift, though I have not seen any of those versions for sale yet.