Low maintenance commuter

[vickster]

I hadn't really considered used day one Alfine Di2. I'll have to look into that.

Seems sensible if the bike you want isn't available any more

 

[annirak]

Only if it's available in my size

Until one shows up, I have the three other options. Re-tasking either: a Specialized AWOL or a Cube Hyde look like good options!

 

[MichaelW2]

Chain tensioning system is key with hub gears.
The best is probably a sliding vertical dropout, then an eccentric BB with external clamp or internal, self-releasing wedge.
Avoid eccentrics with a set screw. Horizontal dropouts are light and simple and work OK but a belt drive needs more accurate tension adjustment than you can set with them.

 

[Pale Rider]

My experience of the Alfine 11 has been mixed - it's certainly not the 'Rohloff on a budget' Shimano said it would be.

Second gear on mine vanished, which is relatively common, and the pesky thing is very sensitive to cable tension to get clean shifts.

The Alfine 11 is also known to be over-geared, first is equivalent to, I think, fourth on the Rohloff.

Worth establishing if you can get a low enough first for towing before buying one.

Gear range can be tinkered with by changing sprockets or rings, but Shimano specify minimum and maximum sizes to avoid over-torquing the hub.

 

[annirak]

My experience of the Alfine 11 has been mixed - it's certainly not the 'Rohloff on a budget' Shimano said it would be.

Second gear on mine vanished, which is relatively common, and the pesky thing is very sensitive to cable tension to get clean shifts.

The Alfine 11 is also known to be over-geared, first is equivalent to, I think, fourth on the Rohloff.

Worth establishing if you can get a low enough first for towing before buying one.

Gear range can be tinkered with by changing sprockets or rings, but Shimano specify minimum and maximum sizes to avoid over-torquing the hub.

I'd read smatterings of similar reviews about alfine. Each of these points worries me. The point of this exercise is to reduce maintenance and increase reliability. While it's a relative unknown, that Nuvinci hub is starting to look more attractive.

 

[Pale Rider]

I'd read smatterings of similar reviews about alfine. Each of these points worries me. The point of this exercise is to reduce maintenance and increase reliability. While it's a relative unknown, that Nuvinci hub is starting to look more attractive.

The eight speed Shimano hub seems to be all but bomb proof, and is cheaper.

The NuVinci is strong enough, but is draggy, even on an ebike - it's like riding through treacle.

I've tried a couple, both were the same, and I found the twist shift to be hard work, which would be wearing after a while.

There is an auto version, which seemed to work OK, but might take some getting used to.

All in my opinion, but I would urge you to try a NuVinci before buying one.

 

[vickster]

Only if it's available in my size

Until one shows up, I have the three other options. Re-tasking either: a Specialized AWOL or a Cube Hyde look like good options!

What size do you need? I linked a 52/54/56...unless you are much taller than the average

 

[annirak]

What size do you need? I linked a 52/54/56...unless you are much taller than the average

58... I'm 188cm with a 92cm inside leg. I'm currently riding a 60cm road bike.

 

[annirak]

The eight speed Shimano hub seems to be all but bomb proof, and is cheaper.

That's good to know. I wouldn't be using an 11-speed anyway, since they're quite a bit more expensive and would probably blow my budget.

The NuVinci is strong enough, but is draggy, even on an ebike - it's like riding through treacle.

I've tried a couple, both were the same, and I found the twist shift to be hard work, which would be wearing after a while.

There is an auto version, which seemed to work OK, but might take some getting used to.

All in my opinion, but I would urge you to try a NuVinci before buying one.

I really do want to try a NuVinci. I don't want to wind up cursing myself for not trying it out.

 

[Pale Rider]

I really do want to try a NuVinci. I don't want to wind up cursing myself for not trying it out.

Go for it, some people like them, although I think the reason they've never caught on for push bikes is the drag which most riders experience.

They now make an N380 - the number refers to the percentage gear range.

The website mentions ebikes a lot, which suggests to me NuVinci know the hub isn't quite so clever for a push bike.

http://www.nuvincicycling.com/en/home.html

 

[annirak]

Go for it, some people like them, although I think the reason they've never caught on for push bikes is the drag which most riders experience.

The question is now where to find one that I can test ride.

 

[outlash]

My old Day One (alfine 8) had a bar end shifter on the end of the right hand drop. Took a little getting used to but fine in the end. Out of this year's models, only the '20' has a hub gear, and it's a cheaper Nexus rather than the Alfine.

 

[MichaelW2]

I run my Alfine 8 in an oil bath. Removing the internals is less difficult than it sounds and they need dipping once every year or 2. I use cheap AutoTransmissionFluid rather than expensive Shimano gear oil. Cold weather performance is much better and you can feel less drag.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

Good call vickster, that's a nice looking bike. How is shifting on the hub gear accomplished with drop bars? My only experience of the Alfine 8 speed has been on straight bars, with a twist shifter. Is there a bolt on do-hickey for drops?

My alfine 8 bike has a rapid-fire shifter rather than twist grip, whether that'd be an option to slip round drops and onto the tops better than a more chunky twistgrip. Also maybe suggests the Alfine has gaps that may accommodate a roadie brifter

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Good call vickster, that's a nice looking bike. How is shifting on the hub gear accomplished with drop bars? My only experience of the Alfine 8 speed has been on straight bars, with a twist shifter. Is there a bolt on do-hickey for drops?

Jtek bar end shifter is your weapon of choice here.

http://www.jtekengineering.com/products/jtek-bar-end-shifter-for-internal-hubs/

But I'm sorely tempted by electric shifting for my next hub gear build. Which at current rate of progress on my Surly will be 2021.