Has anyone ever built up a bike with an Alfine hub, double front and a spring loaded chain tensioner (like the ones I've seen used on SS full suss).
Did it work, what front rings did you use, what was your intended purpose?
Thinking it could make a good 29er tourer. Possibly cheaper than a Rohloff and could feel more efficient and doesn't concentrate as much weight at the rear wheel?
Comments, critisism of my idea welcomed.
I can't see any reason why it wouldn't work, but then I can't see how such a set up would be an improvement over a conventional 2 x 9 block .
Why not just have regular gears if you're going to have a front mech? Seems to kind of negate the point of a hub gear if you ask me?
A schlumpf however might work?
ditto, it would work, but why?
and its not like road bikes have mud clearance or drivechain wear issues anyway?
Seems to kind of negate the point of a hub gear if you ask me?
No mech to damage
No poor shifting from worn chain
No worn cassettes
Freehub reliability (maybe?)
Easier to fix a broken spoke
Seems like a pretty good idea for a tourer, just watch you dont overload the hub by using too low a gear.
on the other hand...
could feel more efficient and doesn't concentrate as much weight at the rear wheel?
The weight is still pretty damn high, and if your touring youll not notice the difference in weight anyway. Efficient? I think the rohloff has better efficiency than the shimano anyway, plus you can change to bottom gear on the rohloof at standstill, somthing you couldnt do with a front mech'd alfine.
depends how many times your going to go arround the world, I recon there must be 12,000 miles to be had from a cassette if you keep the chain lubed and swap it out ever 3000miles or so.
The OP's suggestion still has 2 'mechs' to damage, 2 shifters to fail and a chain that can snap. If anything I'd say it's less reliable as the single sprocket is going to deteriorate much quicker than 9 (or 10). And a spare Alfine is going to be harder to find in the middle of nowhere than any derreilieur setup which could be bodged form parts on just about any bike made within the last 100 years.
It would be expensive.
It would be very heavy.