[Closed] Croix de Fer 2013 vs Day One Alfine 8 2013

bb5 only has 1 adjustable pad so needs a bit more set up adjustment compared to the bb7, oh and bb7 pads are avid universal (bb5 is stand alone design).

if where you live is a tad hilly go with the cdf, the alfine is not best climber compared to a trad set up.

wouldn't worry about the tubing too much, 725 is a bit lighter.

alfine is cup and cone so needs some looking after, once a year or so.

both v nice can you get a test on either?

BB7s are easier to maintain.

Alfine is not fit and forget and any terminal damage means £200 on a new hub, and I've seen a few go that way.

That said, road 10 speed is a bit silly on a utility cross bike.

No easy answer, they are both home bikes.

I can't get to any stockists unfortunately.

So how often is maintenance likely on the croix de fer given the miles I'm likely to do? Weekly? Monthly? Quarterly?

It's quite flat here so I don't think the Alfine would struggle in that sense.

I know this is a very personal opinion but which do you think looks better? I'm just so on the fence. I really like the both.

Thanks for your reply and the info by the way .

i prefer the red one...

they go faster...

seriously my abused 4 yo alfine hardtail has gotten rumbly bearing from a jetwash and no tlc but still keeps going. my 3yo old alfine commuter/pub bike has been serviced each year and is perfect, spare hubs are 135 quid and the rings etc last loads longer costing less.

the cdf is a better spec overall because the alfine costs an initial premium, but the alfine will cost you less in the medium to long term.

oh, not to help but this should be looked at too...

http://on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBOOPOMPALF/on_one_pompetamine_alfine_8_speed

Croix de Fer for sure, gives you more options.

As for maintenance, lube your chain and leave it at that. If it gets very muddy then brush some of the mud off and re lube.

in true stw fashion i'll suggest an option you've not yet put forward. go single speed. less maintenance than either option you've suggested so far, cheaper and lighter.
🙂

2010 cdf here used daily for the 6 mile commute, most it ever gets is a wash every 6 months and a spray of gt85 if and when I remember.

I have a croix de fer which I use on my 8 mile commute (half bridleway). Lovely bike, but if I were buying again I would get singlespeed belt drive, for maintenance reasons & weight (croix de fer not exactly a featherweight, especially with rack/pannier attached!)

Thank you everyone. Given me a lot to think about.

Curious over these belt drive bicycles! no noise and no maintenance sounds very appealing. Could anyone point me to a few models around (or under) the 1k mark?

Thanks

Just for a bit of balance... I have the Day One Alfine and despite weighing the same as a small planet, it's the right tool for commuting in muddy/lumpy conditions. Half of my 15 mile commute is along filthy bridle path and this is a chain/cassette wrecker. I got 700 miles out of my last chain on this route.

The Alfine is very low maintenance the only downside being it's a bit binary. It works or, it doesn't.

boblo - Member
Just for a bit of balance... [b]I have the Day One Alfine and despite weighing the same as a small planet[/b], it's the right tool for commuting in muddy/lumpy conditions. Half of my 15 mile commute is along filthy bridle path and this is a chain/cassette wrecker. I got 700 miles out of my last chain on this route.

The Alfine is very low maintenance the only downside being it's a bit binary. It works or, it doesn't.

😆

Single speed could be ideal if there aren't many hills. Cheaper initially too.

That pomp is amazing value but flat bar.

The croix would need new chain, cassette and hear cable say every 18 months - £90? Probably a new rear mechanism half that frequency.

Sounds like you want the Alfine. Go for that or explore single speed.

Perfect, you might want to swap the bars though

http://on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBOOPOMPKOJ/on_one_pompino_drop_bar_urban_bike

Thanks again for all the help here.

The on-one is quite nice but I am sold with Genesis bikes. I love the retro style of their bikes. Classics! 🙂 I'm not bothered about the extra weight, I'm not going to be racing or carrying it up steep hills.

Single Speed concerns me slightly as I am new to cycling / commuting. There are some inclines and I'm just worried this is going to challenge me too much.

I think I'm going to go for the Alfine, I like the idea of quiet and smooth gear changes and low maintenance.

I'm back!.... I've discovered the Planet X Kaffenback SRAM Force Disc ( http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBPXKAFFDISC/planet_x_kaffenback_sram_force_disc) This looks like a good deal? Anyone have any good / bad to say about this bike / company?

Thanks