I've never really noticed the balance issue but then I tend to keep both wheels on the ground. With suspension forks on my bike the point of balance is pretty much the same as a rigid bike with conventional gearing.

+1 (i'd be at the front of the queue)

Well, I've just ordered a IO iD with 8 speed Alfine; I reckon they'll be bloody expensive next year at 11 speed. Will upgrade to the 11 speed job as an when I wear the original out in a few years…..

What chain do you use as a spare on the 8 speed alfine?

It does require a bit of a shift in gear changing technique. BUT, not that much.
Only occasionally do i ever have to think about chain torque to get it to shift.

And only very occasionally do i ever have to think about cleaning my bike to get it to work. Which is the real story for me.

Cant wait till I can get to 11.

Mick

You may recall a couple of weeks ago we met in the carpark of the Duke on the Wednesday night (17th I think) I was on a green IO ID that night.

With the Bonty ACX tyres on, the bike hardly missed a beat in the muck that night – only when it became so deep you couldn't walk properly anyway.

I can ony add to the chorus of voices that are recommending it.

If you fancy meeting up so you can take it out in th eofrest then drop me a line.

Ben

I must say that I really like the idea and the price is pretty good too.

I'm not really bothered by the extra weight in itself, but I don't think I would like an extra Kg at the end of my swingarm – that's nearly a whole extra wheel and won't translate into great suspension performance.

Not a problem for hardtail riders of course, and I like to give it a go on my FS, to see how much difference it makes.

We've got an email folder to save peoples addresses until we get preorder prices/details. [get in touch if you want?

as there's much speculation and not much in the way of facts about the extra weight of an alfine bike over conventional 3×9 set-up i decided to do some digging.

i've just had an email from charge bikes and it says,

"There is virtually no difference in overall weight (less than 100g from memory), between a duster 8 and equivalent priced duster with conventional gearing."

obviously there is a rearward weight shift with the alfine but this answers any overall weight questions.

Stu McGroo. I did some maths and came up with a difference of about 5-600gr between alfine and xt 3×9. But XT 3×9 is probably more expensive, I expect Charge are comparing with Deore, which would make sense to me price and weight wise. Plus Alfine gearing (even A-11) cant replace 3×9 mountain gearing, the range isn't yet broad enough (about good enough for 2×9 though) Rolhoff does but is half kilo heavier than Alfine (and 4 times the price, near enough)

as for unsprung weight, that's the kind you want to avoid, as it happens, which is why a few niche companies have been experimenting with mounting rolhoffs in the frame, something that I hope to see someone do to an Alfine soon enough.

Still, I have an Alfine 8 and like it. Alfine 11 with no weight added has got to be a move in the right direction, I wonder if the A-8 will be lighter for '11?

I'm severely tempted to try one on an MTB (I have one on my touring bike) but don't really have the spare rack space atm (Mrs Facist insists it's one-bike-out-one-bike-in from now on…… 🙄 ) perhaps I could just get a wheel and cheekily swap it out on my SS… just for a try out like

that's the spirit! 😆

freegan bikefascist you're probably right, nl was specific about "equivalent priced". it's not realistic to compare alfine to top end 3×9 as there would be a huge price difference and therefore have completely different customer base.

as for unsprung weight i agree, there's no point having suspension then have loads of weight the wrong side of it. my point to glenh was that i'd doubt it would have much effect on the way the suspension operates, several hundred grams may have shifted to the rear wheel but this is nothing compared to the biggest moving mass on the bike i.e. the rider, who could weight anything from 50-110 kg (4-9 times the weight of the bike itself), that's a hell of a lot of range for a suspension system to cope with nevermind the fact that it's not fixed in one place.

personally i'm less concerned about the range, as long as i can gear 1st to match a 3×9 1st i'd be happy, it would mean i'm missing my 3 highest gears but i only ever use those on down hill road sections, though i think the gaps are slightly bigger on the 11 (not so keen on that) so i'd actually only lose my top 2 ratios.

anyway, only 6 months to wait, i need to get some bits together!

Stu McGroo

indeed. apparently (I've never seen it in their literature though) shimano insist on a minimum 2:1 ratio (chainring : sprocket) to avoid over torquing, which on an A-8 would give a 26" gear or about middle chain ring and lowest on the cassette so you lose a gear or two from the bottom compared to 3×9. Not sure of the gearing on the A-11 whether the extra breadth is at the top or the bottom. That said, I have met plenty of people who have broken the 2:1 rule with impunity, in fact I've personally yet to meet anyone who's managed to break an Alfine, although I'm sure it must be possible

we've had no issues on the 8spd at about 1.8:1. you could go lower if you spin rather than haul, as it's about overall torque loads not just the gear ratios; the 2:1 limit is shimano's way of ensuring it's as strip-proof as can be under a powerful rider. we'll look after anyone who has any issues with the iO ID as we spec it that way (yet had none in 3 years plus now), but aftermarket hubs will be covered by shimano's warranty only so bear that in mind if gearing it really low.

James / Genesis

Can anyone vouch for how the bearings hold up over time in the Alfine hubs? I assume they are still crappy cup and cone. Only had bad experiences with other Shimano hubs. Are they easy to maintain on the Alfine?

"I assume they are still crappy cup and cone. "

they're good quality cup and cone and servicable, gimme cup and cone over bearings any time. bad experiences often to come from lack of servicing or poor adjustments, i've had 3 years + out of a deore rear hub with only 2 yearly clean-outs.

the only issues i've seen with alfine hubs are the bearings – people think the entire hub is service free, ride it and jet wash it for 18mths, then find that the bearing races are shot. the gearing is low maintenance but the bearings still need re-greasing now and then like any cup/cone hub.

just noticed that 18 bikes are taking pre-orders on 11 speeds at £375 and £55 for the shifter. tried to paste a link but it ain't playing ball.

Reckon hub gears are the future but we need something between Alfine spread of gearing and Rohloff price for off road.

my 8 speed does and has no noticeable drag.