[Closed] Alfine Hubs ... Anyone using one?

If you ignore this http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/dealing-with-an-lbs then, yes, loving mine.

For balance, there are some horror stories around - search the bike forum for alternative views.

I've used an Alfine 8 on an occasional basis (just slot it in on those rare occasions when singlespeed isn't enough) for the last 3 years and it just gets on with the job. The pick up from freewheeling is a bit slow but for long distances it's great.

Alfine Hubs ... Anyone using one?

more or less everyone on here...

you may be forgiven for thinking that singletrackworld would attract mountainbikers. Y'know, people who ride mountain bikes.

but, it's just full of threads about alfine-fitted commuter bikes...

which is nice.

(my alfine 8 seems bomb-proof, if a little clunky. i like it)

Have an Alfine 8 and have no complaints. It works just fine.

Had an alfine 8, now have 2 alfine 11 equipped bikes.

I have one on my commuter and for that it is fantastic. Would not want one on the mountain bike. Maybe it is just my riding style but it does not like changing under any pressure and is a bit too clunky. Fine when it is not dead steep and there are not that many obstacles.

I have 2.

#1 (SG501) on a Pompino (44:20) for pub/commuting duties which has had problems staying in gear due to something technical in the hub - madison swopped it out for a new one and it's been fine after 2 years riding i've done nothing but oil the chain.

#2 (SG500) is the original on a 456EBB (32:20), This will be it's 3rd winter and it's only had this summer gone off from being ridden constantly (In ireland so boggy shite mainly, but I did take it to bonty 24/12 and the dark peak for a long weekend). All I have done is clean it twice, oil the chain 4-5 times and I've had to re-tighten one of the axel nuts a few times because I have a kids trailer hitch on the back and the 2 interfere with each other (oh and tighten the EBB 2x too). It's on it's way out now though as the the cup and cone for the hub is pitted due to being ignored - having a new ball race fitted to get it to limp through this winter and then will have to buy a new hub (makes note to self to get the Pompino serviced). The gear shifts are still perfect.

Overall Pros.

Never touched the thing.
Gear shifts are very quick unless you are hooning it.
silent.
Rode in snow/shite with no bother.
Change gear without pedalling (very handy).

Overall cons.

Jumps between the gears are odd and occasionally big, I tend to sit in a gear and go from grinding to spinning and then change up, so more plodding then incremental racing type.
heavy at the back - it feels planted when cycling and the bike isn't nose heavy (as forks make it) when dropping off stuff, but it's noticable when getting it over gates (my bike is 32lb though), there is a thread about that somewhere.
If your cones go the hub is buggered.
it's rapid rise (which I like nowadays)

It's great for the get on the bike and ride types not having to bother with looking after it, but those that like to eek the max out of their bike and go really fast effiencetly don't generally get on with it.

Look in my post history for more details/threads.

PS - I have one on a commuter and one on an mtb. Shifting under load is not something I do anyway so this has never been an issue for me.

I have one on a Trance and love it. I've quickly learned not to change gear under power and as its an instant shift if you do want to change gear under load you just stop pedalling for the smallest fraction of a second and youre fine.

The weight balance is only noticeable to me when lifting the bike into the car, i can still jump the bike over roots etc without any issue.

Ive been riding an '11 for about 4 months now. I have been riding it all over the Surrey Hills 100% offroad & its working really well. My legs are gradually getting used to the gear jumps. It is heavy and makes building a light bike difficult but I am loving it for winter riding. I have read other peoples horror stories about the Hubs breaking so am hoping mine does not go that way.

If Shimano could make it a bit ligther and maybe add a couple more gears I think it could be a game changer.

got an Alfine 8 - works brilliantly. Never going back to derailleurs.

I've just built a Fatbike with an Alfine 11. I reckoned that an IGH was the most weatherproof solution to gearing. So far, I'm a bit disappointed with the ratios. I'm rarely in a higher gear than 8 and yet I feel it doesn't go low enough. That's running 32:22. Dropping to 30:22 or 32:24 seems to be against Shimanos recommendations.

I'd advise any potential purchaser to do the gear calculations before buying

The Alfine 8 is brilliant. I'll wait a year or 2 until the 11 has all its teething problems sorted.

Had an ALfine-8 for a year, but had to sell the bik it was on. It worked very well, but developed a habit of skipping in 5th, so it got a full rebuild from Madison

I also have a Rohloff. Gear-changes on the Alfine were slicker when it was indexed properly, but the range, longevity and ability to use a QR make the Rohly so worth the additional money.

But, I'd quite like an Alfine-11 aswell, due to the lower weight.

Have an 8 and it just works. Ridden it off-road with no consequence. Wait a while for the 11 or go 8 for off road at the moment.

That's running 32:22. Dropping to 30:22 or 32:24 seems to be against Shimanos recommendations.

I thought 2:1 was their recommend limit.... in which case 32:22 is already below that?

By and large it's been pretty good but I've had some problems with mine recently. Had the cable thing pop out altogether when I was giving it some welly trying to get up a short, steep incline, so had to limp home in the gear it was stuck in.

Took it into the bike shop for a repair but it's still skipping gears and coughing every now and then.

Don't really notice the weight distribution issue apart from when you pick the bike up to hoick it over a gate or put it in the car.

I have an 8 for my road bike and i love it, works well for my level of fitness.

Am looking to get one of the pinion gear MTBs once i am happy they are bullet proof and there are a few more frame options for them.

An Alfine 11 on a nice titanuium on-one would be nice tho!!

Don't bother with an Alfine, when you can get this:

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/fs-rohloff-speedhub-price-reduced

although 575 quid is "cheap" you can get an Alfine 8 for 120, that's a new frame worth of difference.

Well, that £575 includes all the fittings and a front wheel.

Alfine-8 wheelset is [url= http://www.tweekscycles.com/Product.do?method=view&n=3599&p=174150&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Base&utm_campaign=MTB%C2%A0Wheels ]£370[/url]

And the rohly is near-as-dammit gauranteed for life. I had to send my (second-hand) speedhub to germany as the axle was loose. It cost me the postage to Ison, they sent it to Rohloff, who fully stripped it, cleaned it rebuilt it with new hardware where required, and they sent it back for free with a letter apologising that it had gone wrong! Try getting that from Shimano!

ir bandito - despite your shameless plug I am going to check finances see if i can afford your rolf

I'm considering one of these but like others not ready for the leap of faith on 11spd reliability.

What deals are out there for a 32H, black, 8spd Alfine?

On-One £149..

I would also consider a whole wheel but it needs to have V-brake sidewalls.

TJ: Its not mine, I just noticed it, and i like mine.

Been riding my Alfine 11 both on and off road (Genesis Day 01) since November (30-40 miles a day), absolutely loving it.

Cable stretch threw out the indexing after a few weeks, dialing it back in to align the yellow markers did the trick and it's been ticking along nicely since then.

Running 40:18 which is suiting me fine, the lack of faff and slient running is currently keeping the grin on my face.