Alfine 8 electronic shifting

[oldwheels]

Looking back I can only see posts regarding manual shifting but I am contemplating making an offer on a Kettwiesel trike with electronic shifting on a Alfine 8.
Naturally we generally only get the bad side of things on line so I would be interested in any positive reviews.
This trike is an expensive bit of kit dating from 2016 and I do not have easy access to specialist repairers and I now too old to get my hands too mucky as I used to so any opinions?

 

[T4tomo]

No personal experience but I remember reading when it came out (Di2 Alfine) that weight of a hub gear aside , it was the best thing since sliced bread and shifted much more slickly than the cabled version.

is it mated to to multiple chainrings or a cassette as well to get you the gear range, as I believe it was aimed at commuter market so not necessarily the widest gear range you might want for a trike.

 

[oldwheels]

No personal experience but I remember reading when it came out (Di2 Alfine) that weight of a hub gear aside , it was the best thing since sliced bread and shifted much more slickly than the cabled version.

is it mated to to multiple chainrings or a cassette as well to get you the gear range, as I believe it was aimed at commuter market so not necessarily the widest gear range you might want for a trike.

This is linked to the Shimano motor with 4 power settings so in theory gives 32 gears. A hub gear is needed on this kind of trike as a derailleur would be too low for anything other than smooth roads.
It looks like somebody bought this trike with all the extras but allegedly has only done about 3700 miles in 6 years. The drive chains and sprockets have also been renewed after this apparently modest mileage.
I am not totally convinced but it is too far away for me to check in person tho’ it is advertised by Kinetics in Glasgow. Having dealt with him before I do think he is honest but still??

 

[CXRAndy]

I've got an Alfine 11 Di2 on one of my bikes. The shifting is precise, you have the ability to trim the shift even whilst riding. But once set is normally spot on.

What I know now about Shimano hubs both 8 and 11 speed, go with the 8 speed. The reason I say this is because when using the easiest gear on the 11 speed it has a clutch type gear engagement. This feels when pedaling up a hill very spongy under foot. You don't experience this with the 8 speed , it has a direct drive .

I only went for the 11 speed because I wanted a bit more top end speed which the 11 gives . The ratio comparison between 1 to 8 gear s on both 8 and 11 speed hubs is almost identical

 

[oldwheels]

I've got an Alfine 11 Di2 on one of my bikes. The shifting is precise, you have the ability to trim the shift even whilst riding. But once set is normally spot on.

What I know now about Shimano hubs both 8 and 11 speed, go with the 8 speed. The reason I say this is because when using the easiest gear on the 11 speed it has a clutch type gear engagement. This feels when pedaling up a hill very spongy under foot. You don't experience this with the 8 speed , it has a direct drive .

I only went for the 11 speed because I wanted a bit more top end speed which the 11 gives . The ratio comparison between 1 to 8 gear s on both 8 and 11 speed hubs is almost identical

Thanks for that. I am not too bothered about top speed but more hill climbing as I live at the top of a steep hill and a general area with short but pretty steep hills beyond the strength of my legs on my present ICE Adventure HD with 20” wheels.
My only past experience is with SA 3 or 4 speed hubs.

 

[T4tomo]

This is linked to the Shimano motor with 4 power settings so in theory gives 32 gears.

Oh spot on, my concern of low enough gears for hills are negated by the motor assist. I would go for it, just had look, it looks a cracking bit of kit and obviously a massive saving over new. Quite a niche item, but if that's your niche, it ticks all the boxes.

 

[biking_fox]

Have got Alphine 11 Di2 on my tandem - brand new so only been out last weekend, but certainly works fine. shifts up and down easily. You can bluetooth it to phone to update firmware and play with settings which may be easier than doing ti via button presses on the controller.