WTF does that frame weigh?
My dirtjump bike with old saint, 721s, 2.35 minions 2x8/bash and Pikes is less than a lb heavier than your rigid XC bike? 
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Stu McGroos lets put this Alfine weight issue to bed once and for all thread!
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Posted 1 year ago #
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If it's incurable and you're tossing it out, I'll have it
Heh, nice try! It's still in use, just on the commuter bike now.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Nice one Stu... Good facts to put paid to all the silly myths about Alfines!
Absolutely staggered your build weighs almost 30lb though... Must mean that mine, with Reba's and beefier tyres is probably more like 31-32lb!!! Hmmm... Still rides like it's a lot lighter though...
When we doing an Alfined 29er ride then mate?
Posted 1 year ago # -
There seems to be a break in the posts so I’ll attempt to respond.
First of all I did this out of my own curiosity, I expected the usual piss taking but was surprised by the compliments so thanks for that.
A few of you have commented on the weight of the bike. It’s a large frame and it’s cheap and that’s the actual weight not some manufacturer or media bullshit. I did weigh the finished article on a second set of scales at 20 odd grams lighter but 19g of that is excess cable that I removed so they’re pretty close.
However this is a before and after comparison experiment so the weight of the bike is irrelevant, if it had weighed 19.63lbs before it’d now weigh 19.64lbs.
Also, there have been some references to Rohloff, obviously this little experiment only relates to Alfine. I have no experience of Rohloff so shouldn’t comment but from the opinions of others it would seem heavier and suffer more with drag. Personally speaking the cost of Rohloff makes it a non-starter.
As for the weight shift, which I must stress is the balance point of the bike not the centre of gravity, I’ve added some amendments at the end of this post. I’m sure better riders than me will feel the difference, so far I haven’t noticed it that much but riding conditions are all over the place at the moment. Also the heaviest component on my bike is me, at 97kg and I’m moving all over the place so counter balancing a 33mm* shift isn’t proving too difficult
* see amendment
woody2000 - Aaah, bless you Stu McGroo. I'd love to have that much free time
I know, great isn’t it, you can have everything in the world but without time you have nothing!
cynic-al - You've cheated in saving weight by using 185mm spokes, they should be 260-something?
Sorry al, typo error, but edited in time so no one knows what you’re on about
alexpalacefan - Nice post Stu, you should be writing this sort of stuff for publication, not free on a forum.
No can do, I’d get the sack for using facts and refusing to tow the corporate (bullshit) line and capitulating to the demands of advertisers!
pypdjl - I'm unconvinced by those weights! You'll also need to carry a 15mm spanner, so that's another 200 grams or so...
Unconvinced based on what? What did your experiment turn up then? Feel free to be unconvinced but please back it up! As for the spanner, here it is with the open end ground off.
Fits nicely in my tool kit along with full set of allen keys, Gerber suspension multi-tool, chain splitter, spare links, puncture repair kit, spare tube, zip ties, velcro straps, rag, tyre levers and pump. Then there’s a bag of jelly babies, 3 or 4 mars bars and 2 litres of water in the camel back, all of which is carried by me at 6’4” and 97kg. The spanner weighs 63g so I don’t think it’ll make much difference!
BenjiM - I may have missed something but You're comparing weights with triple rings up front to a single ring up front, regardless of ratios this would still contribute a considerable weight difference no?
Not considerable but it all adds up, took 3 rings off (24/32/42) and added a 32 single speed ring that is a bit thicker.
rOcKeTdOg - I thought you'd given up riding stu, how much for the 10 speed stuff?
Why? you’ll be getting an Alfine
chalkstorm - Lovin the post McGroo...... but really, gears? HTF did you pursuade xckeith to get involved....?
He has no morals, it’s all a sham
Space Cowboy - Wouldn't it look better in purple?
No, it’d look gay, obviously
s-keeper -I'd be a bit worried using 5mm chainring spacers to get the correct chainline.
I’m not, been ok so far, but I’ll keep you posted.
Northwind - Oh, and sorry but
"Fitted 32T chainring and 20T rear sprocket, this gives me the same range as a middle ring x 1-9 + granny ring x 2 on my previous SLX set-up."
I have no idea what this means Probably just me being dense but could you clarify it a bit?Ok I’ll have another go, 32:20 on my Alfine gives me the same range as 32:13 down to 24:30 (10 gears in all) on my SLX. 32:18 with be equivalent to 32:11 down to 32:34. That’s the best I can do, if you still don’t get it then yes, you’re probably right.
ade ward
you need help
BadlyWiredDog - So... the end result of this, predictably, is that on paper there's not much difference
From what I’ve been reading over the last 12 months on STW I thought the result was anything but predictable! And from the responses I’ve seen here I think there’s a fair few who are surprised.
Sorry if I've missed anyone out.
Now the extra weight shift stuff. My measurement of rearward weight shift along the top tube didn’t take account of the top tube being 17.7 degrees to the horizontal. If you're sad you do this
and then you can see that the actual rearward weight shift in the horizontal plane is only 31.4mm.
Furthermore, with the SLX set-up my rear wheel was on the stops at the front of the dropout. If I’d adjusted it to the center of the dropout (like it is now) then the difference in the before and after weight shift measurements would be less still.
Posted 1 year ago # -
P'haps if you spent half as much time riding you'd be really fit & quick,then wouldn't have to worry about silly little weight shifts 'n stuff
I agree about Keef though,morals of an alley cat that "keef" ......
Posted 1 year ago # -
oh JJ you're soooo sweet !
Posted 1 year ago # -
The claimed weight of the 11 speed is 90g less than the 8 speed though in this review it is 68g heavier than the 8 speed. Is that a poke in the eye for folks waiting for the 11 speed version?
Nope
Posted 1 year ago # -
What a depressing thread. I was going to build an alfine bike but because of the delays with the 11 speed I have gone 1X10 instead. All those photos of lovely simple looking bikes and positive comments have made me question whether I have done the right thing. As stated, very depressing.
Posted 1 year ago # -
lol@JJ and xckeith1 - what a pair of keefs....
Posted 1 year ago # -
I wonder how many people with Alfines run carbon folks compared to say, Toras. That's basically a 3lb difference right there at the front of the bike. If you were hugely worried about the rearward balance, just fit a meaty fork...
As well as the Rev U-turn (4lb) on the bike I actually have a brand new Lyrik coil u-turn (5.5lb) I brought over from the states, was going to sell it on cause just cutting the steerer would massively reduce the re-sale value. BUT THANKS TO THIS THREAD (groan), even though my riding doesn't warrant a Lyrik, I might just feel the need to compare....
Posted 1 year ago # -
Bloody good read that.
All that techy stuff has made feel a little fick though!
Posted 1 year ago # -
Unconvinced based on what?
I'm not convinced you have scales that are accurate to 0.01 lbs.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I have access to E2 (or is it E1, I forget) pharmaceutical dispensing scales and I weighed my alfine bike and got 14.485Kg (or an ounce under 32lb). The scales are set up so there are no corner loading errors and big enough I could just lay the bike down. You would be hard pushed to get a more accurate reading...
Which is why I'm stunned the bike in the OP weighs in at 29.5lb when it looks quite a mincer compared to mine.
scaffolding pole 456EBB (which is chromed and then powdercoated on top for extra lightness), the only light thing are the Forks I guess.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Great post Stu. I've been thinking if going 1-9 having gone from an Alfine to single speed. Havng read this I might just dig the Alfine out of the loft and give it another go.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Alfine was designed for a shopping bike not to win World Cup MTB races and costs accordingly.
Er, I won a race once with my Alfine. It was the 2008 Guernsey Autumn XC (Veterans class). The only race I've ever done with a figure of eight course. All very gentlemanly at the crossover.
Also 7th Male Pair in the 2008 Dusk til Dawn on the Alfine.Posted 1 year ago # -
My best result ever in a NPS was on my alfine bike...
Posted 1 year ago # -
Any other ways of running one on a full sus without an ade ward style tensioning monstrosity? Would a regular SS tensioner do or would it need more movement?
Bike I have in mind is the previous gen. Heckler.Would welcome the weight shift, riding weight all the way back, but still nose landing everything big time.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Any spring loaded tensioner should do. When built it'd probably be worth unbolting or depressurising the shock to check the tensioner through the full range of suss travel.
still nose landing everything big time
Try upping the rebound damping at the rear.Posted 1 year ago # -
i tried a std single wheel tensioner on my marin and whyte but it wouldnt pull enough chain so i went for the other option i had an old sunn dh chain device,, it has been on my fs ss bikes for over 10 years now first used at cheddar 99 i think so may not look nice but it does the job
Posted 1 year ago # -
Posted 1 year ago #
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spokes and stainless nipples,
Stainless nipples?? Really??Posted 1 year ago # -
Which is why I'm stunned the bike in the OP weighs in at 29.5lb when it looks quite a mincer compared to mine.
his has rigid forks though and even if they are a bit portly they'll be lighter than your suspension forks
Posted 1 year ago # -
Soooo I just upgraded to an Alfine 11 - i did a similar thing to the op - takeing weights before and after and here are the results:-
Before - 1x9 set up, with xt / xtr parts
After - with Alfine (no rear rotor)
Obviously there are some diferances (no front mech etc), the Alfine 11 system is also slightly heavier than the 8 (by about 70g) - Shimanos Alfine 11 guide weight of 1600g is for just the hub (no fitting kit, sprocket or shifter).
Posted 1 year ago # -
the alfine8 weighs 1690grams
the alfine11 weighs 1690grams.
which i thought was odd, so i weighed 'em a few times to make sure.
(no fitting kit or etc.)
Posted 1 year ago # -
How does the 11 compare to the 8 speed performance wise?
Posted 1 year ago # -
Adam, you got an Alfine? what you running it on? I'm considering one for the trance
Posted 1 year ago # -
How does the 11 compare to the 8 speed performance wise?
Havent a clue at the mo - only built it up last night - however...
My commuter has an Alfine 8 on it so i'll be able to compare them pretty well. will lat teh forumn know later on if i get a chance (it'll only be a road test though as i need to shorten the hoses and put the rear rotor on).
Posted 1 year ago # -
been out on it (just on the roads) for an hour or so, and its great - just what i wanted .
In comparision to running 1x9 with a 11-32t cassette, and by feel, it seems to have the it has the low rage of some where around mid 22t and the high rage of the mid rage 44t ring.
There is noticable pause between 5th and 6th, just like the pause from 3rd to 4th on the 8 speed Alfine - This is due to the switching from 'underdrive' to direct drive.
Gear changes are incredibly smooth in comparison to the 8 speed - no crunching or noise, and are almost unnoticable (other than at the pedals).
Posted 1 year ago # -
Sounds spot on. Less drag than the 8?
Posted 1 year ago # -
TBH i never really felt any drag on the 8, i suppose as its on a road/hybrid (cannondale badboy) with slicks it feels quicker than my MTB any way, but the Alfine 11 is definatly a hell of a lot smoother.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Podge! i can't comment on the behaviour of the alfine yet, i've got to buy a fitting kit before i can ... er... fit it.
(wheel's built, i'm almost ready to go)
you'll be more than welcome to have a go with it when it's ready though - unless you're averse to fully rigid inbreds?
Posted 1 year ago # -
The lovely people at http://www.justridingalong.com have 11sp Alfine hubs in stock and will build one into a wheel for you for little more than the retail price of a hub...
Posted 1 year ago # -
Adam, I'm currently building a fully rigid my self so that's fine, I'll just have to cover up the stickers on yours before trying it out.
thanks for the offer.
Posted 1 year ago #
Topic Closed
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