Alfine + Revolution Trailer? « Singletrack Forum

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Alfine + Revolution Trailer?

24 posts & 8 voices | Started 4 months ago by spooky_b329 | Latest reply from TandemJeremy

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spooky_b329 - Member

Just about to order some solid axle nuts for my Revolution trailer so I can run it with the solid axle Alfine, rather than the QR attachment.

Having done some Googling, I've read a couple of reports where people have used a Chariot Trailer (I'm guessing this is a kiddie trailer) and the nuts have stripped...due to the no-turn spacers reducing the number of threads available, and the fact the Alfine axle has two flats along it rather than thread around the complete circumference.

Trailer use is going to be very occasional, so I'm just wondering if anyone has used the Revolution nuts on the Alfine and had a problem?

Posted 4 months ago #
cheeezzy24 - Member

Ive used a fully loaded BOB Yak with the Alfine 11 and BOB Nutz. I had to cut about 5mm off the end of each of the Nutz so that the Yak fork fit without over stretching it. Just check your spacings because the blue and green washers will throw the Nutz out a bit too!! Ive had no problems with mine though.

Posted 4 months ago #
Ben_mw - Member

I've been using a Chariot trailer on the back of my Alfine 8 equipped Genesis ioid without any problems so far. I do worry about the trailer pulling the wheel backwards in the dropouts, hasn't ever moved yet though.

Posted 4 months ago #
spooky_b329 - Member

Thanks guys.

The revolution trailer 'fork' has a pivot so should go as wide as it needs, and the bike has Kona slidey vertical dropouts so no worries about the axle being pulled backwards.

Despite Edinburgh Cycle failing to respond about whether the nuts fit the Alfine (26 threads per inch...there appears to be a couple of other standards and I'm not sure which is correct) I think I'll go for it. It will only be very occasional use and I can put the Revolution QR on my wifes bike as a backup incase the nuts do strip

Posted 4 months ago #
spooky_b329 - Member

Edinburgh Cycles have now replied to the first question I asked via the website, avoided the question slightly but said they would fit. Ordered some. Then I get a second email from them, as I had also emailed them directly. That one says they won't fit.

The nuts are 3/8th, they say the Alfine hub has a 10mm axle (3/8th converts to 9.5mm) The Shimano tech docs apparently say the axle is 10mm but they describe the cap nuts as 3/8th. I've seen it mentioned that the correct nuts are 10-1 metric, I think 1 is the thread pitch.

So, votes on whether they will fit when I get them, and whether they will strip shortly afterwards due the potential for being out of tolerance (i.e the wrong size)

Posted 4 months ago #
muddy@rseguy - Member

Zip ties, Gaffer tape, flippin big nails and a large, sturdy hammer....

Posted 4 months ago #
TandemJeremy - Member

spooky - ebc used to IIRC show two different sold axle nuts for the trailer for the metric and imperial threads.

I think the ones you get will fit - please let us know as I need some as well

Posted 4 months ago #
paul4stones - Member

I had this problem with a cheap ebay trailer like the revolution one but the nuts stripped. I put it down to them being made of cheese and got an engineer friend to get some stainless ones made.

Not certain but I don't think threads are metric, possibly some kind of British standard cycle or something.

Posted 4 months ago #
TandemJeremy - Member

That trailer seems to be sold under Adventure Ct1 Single-Wheel Cargo Trailer as well if that is any help

Posted 4 months ago #
TandemJeremy - Member

3/8" solid axle threaded 26tpi. seems to be the right size for the alfine - rrolf is 10 mm

Posted 4 months ago #
spooky_b329 - Member

Thanks Guys...TJ I will report back via this thread. The second email did say the guy had searched 'extensively' for a compatible part from another supplier and could not find an alternative...maybe he looked at the CT1 you mention.

Guy...do you think Ming will supply a suitable hammer? I could do swaps for a humongous hammer I found at work last week...so heavy I struggled to hold it at arms length, and so long it took me several attempts to get it all in shot

IMAG0503 by Ollie and Sally, on Flickr

Posted 4 months ago #
spooky_b329 - Member

Obviously, I meant spanner

Posted 4 months ago #
muddy@rseguy - Member

Im not sure Ming would know, or indeed notice the difference...

As for you, if these are the kind of tools you use at work then all the issues I've been having with a certain telecoms company this week now make so much more sense

Posted 4 months ago #
spooky_b329 - Member

Hmmm, the saga continues. Just tried the nuts, the first one spun on easily, too easily in fact. Wobbles all over the place even when bottomed out on the axle (hand tight only) The threads looked very shallow so tried the other nut. Perfect fit! Hopefully EBC will send out a replacement without mucking about with me sending back the dodgy one...

Posted 4 months ago #
spooky_b329 - Member

Paul4stones, how much did your custom jobbies cost?

Posted 4 months ago #
jimsmith - Member

hi all
yeah been there (its an alfine
worked in the bike trade for years so rang madison... spoke to loads of peeps, they spoke to shimano and yes i measured 9.5mm i think...
no one could confirm anything. rubbish really
also called various hub gear related shops SJS were the most helpful
but no joy at all
I have a chariot flat trailer and a bob ibex
the bob nuts dont fit at all, really wobbly
and the chariot doesnt have enough engagement
so after hours and hours and a well stocked industry phone book.....
nothing
so if anyone gets some made up im interested!
bloody shimano!!!

Posted 4 months ago #
TandemJeremy - Member

I am pretty sure the alfine is a 3/8" 26tpi. thread Mentioned in a few places

Posted 4 months ago #
18BikesMatt - Member

Thats not a big tool, this is a big tool

BIG torque wrench by le cadre bicycles, on Flickr

I really hope it makes an appropriate CRACK when it reaches the correct torque

Posted 4 months ago #
spooky_b329 - Member

That is a nice wrench

Well, EBC are sending replacement nuts that they have personally checked on an Alfine'd bike.

However, they are extremely wide compared to the QR version! Almost comically so. They are nearly 60mm deep and look as though they will add a huge amount of leverage to the axle.

Posted 4 months ago #
spooky_b329 - Member

I have a possible alternative solution...

My Kona has slidey dropouts like:

It currently has M8 hex bolts instead of those allen bolts in the pic. If I get some partially threaded hex bolts, I can tighten a nut to the end of the threaded section (or lock two nuts together) and use them to replace two of the existing bolts. Then the un-threaded section between the nut(s) and the bolt head will allow the trailer to be attached. A very rough measure suggests the part of the nut the trailer attaches to is 8mm. Its just a case of whether the trailer has enough clearance over the Alfine cap bolts.

Posted 4 months ago #
jimsmith - Member

Re: tandem Jeremys post

sadly i fear the references to the alfine thread dimensions are wrong IMHO they arent 3/8" 26tpi as the shimano literature says
Ive tried with 10x1 and 3/8" 26tpi and 24tpi nuts of a fair few manufacturers and tolerances, Ive got 3 alfines 8s from different years, some combinations fit better than others but i wouldnt let any of them go out of a shop/workshop door and i wouldnt ride them myself for fear of stripping threads and such.
please someone prove me wrong, Id love to solve this one
if its just my hubs id bit a bit miffed!
personally i blame poor QC for the axle tolerances by shimano on the alfine 8 (not alfine as in my last post!)

Posted 4 months ago #
TandemJeremy - Member

What thread is it then? Or is it a mystery? I might get my local fastners place to check it or try with the thread gauges I have - ( not to hand unfortunately)

Posted 4 months ago #
spooky_b329 - Member

Well the cap nuts that came with my Alfine have 3/8th stamped on them (on the face that contacts the no turn washers.

Posted 4 months ago #
TandemJeremy - Member

so what was the result of this ? did the second lot of nuts fit?

Posted 3 months ago #