My ideal commuter (some way away, would need to sort out a different or modified frame) wants an 8-speed Alfine hub gear... but how do these go with drop bars? What are my options?
Jtek do some bar end shifters, at $80 a pop
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But being realistic I'd prefer a standard Alfine shifter on the bars, if my lights left me any space.
A down tube shifter would be ok as well.
what else does anyone use one a road bike/commuter?
There is an Alfine shifter for drop bars available, but you might find the price prohibitive (though cheaper than Ultegra)
I had a similar dilemma with my Rohloff equipped Airnimal - really wanted drops. The options were: a bizarre stem mounted bar adaptor that held the shifter under the bars, finding very expensive (and rare) German made drops with a shifting 'section' or just simple bar ends from SJS cycles for about £20.
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No brainer. Work just fine...
druidh - spot on. If I were to go drops bars + Alfine then it's worth doing properly. Cheers for the link.
JonT - if you do it, please let us know how you get on.
I'm gutted/surprised there is no closer ratio alfine for commuters and roadies.
I have done it, I run an Alfine equipped Singular Peregrine with WTB Mountain drops and the Versa 8 shifters, got mine from Sideways cycles. Works Perfectly, no issues my Peregrine obviously has discs.
Fairly wide between ratio's but you get used to that. I have a 44t up front 20 rear, giving me gearing slightly higher top and bottom than a standard road compact chainset.
druidh - will do, as and when things happen!