Automatix 2 speed hub - shifts on its own!

[cribbit]

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/automatix.html

Anyone used one of these? Tempted to try to get my hands on one.

[jtbadge]

I tried a Speedvagen Urban Racer once that had one. It was super fun! I've always liked singlespeeds but wished they could kick into a higher gear above a certain speed, and this does just that. I think SV modified them to alter when the speed changed, though.

No experience with long-term durability/maintenance. Also I can't justify the cost of building up a new wheel for what I would probably just use as a lock-up bike.

[Joe Remi]

I had one on a Dahon folder. The auto upshift is kinda cool, but downshifting drove me crazy. You want it to automatically downshift as you slow down on an incline, but it won't do that as long as you keep pedaling. You have to stop pedaling and let the bike drop down to "first gear speed", then start pedaling again to grab that lower gear. The effect is "I have to stop and start over", which is definitely not the ticket for climbs.