Should One Internalize?

So many of our City Styled bicycles feature internally geared hubs here at Urbanistic Tea & Bike Shop that once in a while I have to stand back and ask is the internal hub the best solution for all? Not to be a dictionary but an internally geared hub typically ranges from 3-speed to 8-speed although 9 or even 11-speed hubs are infrequently available also. With an internally geared hub the bicyclist simply shifts gears with a twist of the wrist or a flick of the thumb without worrying about engaging a derailleur system. It's clean, simple, and automatic.
Convenience Factors:
down shift while at a complete stop
no derailleur adjustments 
cleanliness
But nothing is perfect, the internally geared hubs may limit the rider according to the gear ratio. A properly adjusted drivetrain allows a rider far more gears which may allow the bicyclist to climb greater distances than a simple 3-speed hub. And then the weight of the hub may be intimidating to some. Although I believe that a modestly heavy bicycle is perfectly acceptable as I much rather have fenders, lights, a kickstand, rack, lock... than a 20lb useless city bicycle.
Downside to Internal Hubs:
limited number of gears 
weight

So the answer to my question is that it depends. How the rider will be using their new bicycle? I changed my cargo bicycle from a 7-speed Shimano hub to a 2+7 drivetrain. My cargo bicycle is often weighed down and taken on long 20-40 mile hilly bicycle rides so the greater gear ratio made sense for this bicycle.

The pictured Civia with a 9-speed cassette is responsive, light, and perfectly geared for short to mid distance rides. The purchaser may choose to add a few features such as fenders, cargo rack, and kickstand and it's utility will be doubled hopefully adding to the frequency that the bicycle will be ridden.


Monday is our day off to do chores, ride bike, and catch up so off I go.
Check out our brilliant city bicycle collection Tuesday through Sunday.
Michelle.

is it you size? so modern, so clean, so efficient

Addedum: I rode out to Chatfield/Waterton Canyon yesterday and only used  6 gears!  Now Ethan just adjusted my derailleurs so they were responsive and probably a bit quicker than an internally geared hub but my ride would have been just as comfortable with an 7 or 8-speed hub.