Would an alfine hub be suitable for a touring, thinking of converting my old inbred into a tourer, can't afford a rohloff hub!

It wouldn't work for me. I'm thinking of big climbs with loaded panniers and how useful a triple-ring set-up is. Limited range of an Alfine/Nexus just wouldn't hack it.

Unless you are a complete pussy or doing uncategorised climbs an Alfine hub would be ideal for what you describe. I have had one for a year and done some touring on it (3 days, 80 miles/day, panniers, hills) and its fine.

It has a decent range, much more than a road double – I have done about 6000 miles on mine in a year and had no issues – I love it!

You could always run a double front and rear ss tensioner if you think you needed the range.

Mrs S and I toured (5,000 km) on SS, including Pyrenees crossing and the Massif Central.