Hi all, just built an alfine 8 rear wheel and now looking at crankset options.
Frame is already fitted with a hope bb, alfine is using the standard alfine sprocket/ring. And I'd be using an 8spd chain.
I have slx cranks on my other bike already, so was planning to go with slx cranks again as I've been happy with them.
If I went with a FC-M660-10 slx crankset, removed the chain rings and instead fitted one of these:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=3324
Is that all going to go together ok? And my best bet for a reliable 32t/alfine setup? (looking for a fairly long lasting chainring hence the hardcoat version)
Just wanted to check before clicking order. I notice middleburn do xt/xtr specific chainrings, so is the one I have linked to compatible with the shimano crankset?
It should go together ok, chainline can be a problem but if it is remember that a nexus sprocket is dished so that you can adjust it that way. Not really a problem on my ebb bike as you can shift the whole unit a bit, did have problems on my track end cx bike but used the nexus trick.
Your middle ring will last an age as there is no shifting to worry about, my mtb is 5 years old come november with this set up and all i have done is jet wash 2x and oil less than 10x, still shifting great. I forget what ring I have on, but it's an old HT1 LX crank with xt bb, covered with an on-one bashguard to make it look neater. want me to have a look to see what i fitted?
The achilles heel of the alfine system is the shimano cup and cone, my mtb one is rumbling like crazy as it's all pitted, worth servicing once a year or so to keep them happy with fresh grease.
That's a good point about the bearings; forgot that it would have cup and cone. Is there a guide any where on servicing the alfine bearings?
Indeed, go for the nexus sprockets (without the plastic chainguard) as flipping them over sorts out the chainline to almost perfectly line up with the middle ring at the front. You can't do that with an alfine sprocket.
I've used KMC single speed chains and 9 speed chains before. The single speeds last longer as a rule. On One do a fairly cheap and tough as anything front chainring. I use 32t in the middle position of an xt triple.
Thanks for the tips, I have a box of spare nexus sprockets already so that should be ok.
The on-one front 32t rings look just the job for 20 quid too.
just discovered it's 4 years old in november, I've an e13 ring waiting to go on, it was on back order so fitted some cheapo on-one 32T ring and their bash (back when it was expensive, still looks good though).
The ring is still in good nick, not bothered by looks as hidden, a ss chainring is cheaper than that middleburn, which is ramped for shifting, might give you probelsm on 2nd thoughs.
I have no idea on servicing, mate does it for me on the cx bike, there is a trick to it if you can't be bothered getting the tool thing.
Oh, sjs sell the big internal ball race for a fiver or so, which helps when servicing.
You can unscrew the gubbins from the right hand side of the Alfines by hand without a tool, just imagine it's a big jar of pickled eggs (or something). Reverse thread though, and that is marked on the right side dust cap. Petra cycles also do all shimano spares by part number, ball races and packs of ball bearings, and internal hub grease.
There is a PDF online somewhere to show you how to oil bath the nexus/alfine hubs. All fairly straight forward, just undo the cone on the left and unscrew the right then remove internals, bathe, replace balls and race, grease and refit. Dipping kit and oil is expensive though.
On One show the chainrings out of stock but if you click on the item it shows as in stock again and lets you put it in the basket. I have a BBGbashguard (dot com) to go in the outer position of the triple chainset. Cheap, light, and very tough.