Alfine vs Derailleur

[Moodyman]

Currently running a 24 speed derailleur bike - 11-30 at the rear and 48/38/28 at the front.

This gives me plenty of range for the climbs & the descents. BUT, getting tired of the weekly maintenance - especially given the winter we've just had.

Am considering an Alfine bike with 45 tooth ring at the front and 19 at the back.

Anyone else gone from derailleur to an Alfine and what are you experiences in the gear range?

Out of my 24 speed, there's only 10 that I regularly use. So I figure that the Alfine's 8 is sufficient enough.

 

[Howard]

Am considering an Alfine bike with 45 tooth ring at the front and 19 at the back.

Anyone else gone from derailleur to an Alfine and what are you experiences in the gear range?

I ride a Charge Mixer with an Alfine on 39/18t 700c. It's my winter/wet weather bike. My previous winter bike was a Specialised Rockhopper and I also ride a Cannondale CAAD9.

Shifting with the Alfine is effortless and being able to shift whilst stationary or through multiple gears very quickly is very, very nice. The 105 on the Cannondale feels a bit clunky in comparison.

The Alfine is also maintenance free with two caveats:

1) like a single speed, you still need to clean and re-grease chainring, chain and sprocket
2) you will need to have the LBC service the hub after 2000 miles. You can do it yourself, but it's not for the fainthearted but considering you are thinking about fitting one to a bike that was running a derailuer you probably know what you are doing.

In terms of gears: I don't know what size wheels you intend to run but the 39/18 * 700c combo works just great. For commuting in London I generally use five, six and seven with (five being direct drive). The lower end only comes into play when attacking hills and the ratios feel about right - there's nothing I haven't been able to get up.

At first I thought it might be undergeared but even doing speed training I very rarely use the top end. Computer says max speed is 32Mph and I don't remember my cadance reaching crazy speeds.

Only critism is getting the back wheel off is not as easy as it should be - so I made a video how to - it's pretty straight forward the second time.

HTH

 

[BentMikey]

*waves hello*

 

[HJ]

I do remember seeing somewhere that you can use it with a double ring at the front to increase the gear range, is this true?

 

[Steve Austin]

I use an 8speed alfine. The only concern you should have is is the gear range wide enough for you.

I use mine off road, and i always fine myself needing one extra gear at either end of the gear range. So ime its a compromise on gearing.
The new 11 speed Alfine may resolve this.

As for ease and other issues. I can't fault it

 

[Howard]

I do remember seeing somewhere that you can use it with a double ring at the front to increase the gear range, is this true?

Yes. Two issues though:

i) You'll need a chain tentioner (there's an Alfine specific one available if you look at the Shimano tech docs).
ii) IIRC there are limits to the amount of torque the Alfine can handle. Using certain chainring and sprocket combinations may overload the hub and cause shifting problems and / or damage the internals.

 

[MacB]

Looking at your existing 24 gears you should have an overall range of 25 to 118 gear inches, this was based on a 700x32 wheel size. Obviously there's duplication in there and also about 4 gears that should be avoided due to extreme chain angles. You only have the one big gear over 100 inches, all the rest are 99 or lower. I'd actually work out which gears you use the most and then see what the actual gear inches are for these.

Current hub gear pecking order seems to be Rohloff(by a mile but also a mile pricewise as well) with 14 gears, SRAM I-9 with 9 gears(not rated as well as the Alfine for offroad though and the Alfine with 8 gears. The prices reflect these general ratings as do reliability reports. There's a lot of interest in the upcoming Alfine 11.

That said I'm selling my I-Motion 9 hub gear wheel - I originally bought it as a compromise as I couldn't justify a Rohloff - I also thought I was compromising myself by only having 9 gears(I didn't understand gearing very well then). I also have another bike with a 3 speed hub and, after commuting for a few months, discovered that 9 gears was overkill, it's fairly flat around my way. My I-9 then let me down during the snow and was repaired/internals replaced under warranty(allegedly the first in the UK to require this, how lucky was I?). But the absence of the wheel meant the 3 speed was drafted in to action and is more than sufficient for my needs. Though I'm also looking towards SS/fixed options as well, so that gives an idea of the direction I'm heading.

The I-9 requires a minimum ratio, with my 20t cog that would be a 34t chainring, but you can go as big as you like. 20/34 would give you a range of 25 to 85 inches, a more usual ratio of 20/38 would give a 28 to 96 inch range.

If this is of interest a search in the for sale section here will show my ad and links to pics and full details. If you're anywhere near me then viewing and testing is welcome. It's back in the bike but has only done about 40 miles since the internals were replaced.

 

[Moodyman]

Thanks All - especially Howard. Great video and nice bike.

MacB - I saw your earlier thread on the SRAM and how with hindsight you wish you'd got the Alfine.

Incidentally, I'm not altering my derailleur bike to an Alfine. I'm actually thinking of buying an Alfine equipped bike - Kona's Dr Fine. It's the first Alfine equipped commuter that they've done (I think).

So I won't be needing your I-9, though thank you for the offer.

 

[John the Monkey]

Cotic's Road Rat is another option - LBS near me builds them up into a really nice "Super Commuter"

http://blog.sidewayscycles.co.uk/2009/11/25/cotic-road-rat-super-commuter/

 

[Matty]

Cotic's Road Rat is another option - LBS near me builds them up into a really nice "Super Commuter"

http://blog.sidewayscycles.co.uk/2009/11/25/cotic-road-rat-super-commuter/

Think it is available from Cotic as an Alfine option too.

 

[Jezston]

Cotic's Road Rat is another option - LBS near me builds them up into a really nice "Super Commuter"

http://blog.sidewayscycles.co.uk/2009/11/25/cotic-road-rat-super-commuter/

HOLY CRAP the bike I thought I was going to have to get custom built with parts ordered from the states exists in the UK! Hub gears with drop shifters ... oh maan can't wait until October comes around and new cycle scheme! SOLD!

Thank you John!

 

[Matty]

HOLY CRAP the bike I thought I was going to have to get custom built with parts ordered from the states exists in the UK! Hub gears with drop shifters ... oh maan can't wait until October comes around and new cycle scheme! SOLD!

Thank you John!

From my experience last year, if you order it now you will get it in October! Worth the wait though.

 

[Moodyman]

Beautiful. Salivating.

I wanted a steel frame with drops but couldn't find any.

Only problem is I'm buying via Cycle to Work and not sure Halfords can get it in for me. If they can, it'll be just what I need.

Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Ranger]

HOLY CRAP the bike I thought I was going to have to get custom built with parts ordered from the states exists in the UK! Hub gears with drop shifters ... oh maan can't wait until October comes around and new cycle scheme! SOLD!

Thank you John!

It's exactly what I am after as well, does it take a rack and guards?

 

[biking_fox]

Can't comment much on the Alfine as I was able to go for Rohlof (thank you car driver who broke my collarbone). But I can certainly recommend hubgears for less fuss commuting. Although as said the chain does still need some attention, and the brakes etc.