Torn between these 2 bikes, anybody own one?

[threebikesmcginty]

Just having a ponder on those figure and I can't see the need for the Rohloff, the range where ever you start, 30 or even lower, is too big surely? You would never need all those gears, I've never used one that's just the way it looks to me. The Alfine 8 or SRAM 9 are just about there and the 11 is maybe a tad over the top.

 

[MacB]

Just having a ponder on those figure and I can't see the need for the Rohloff, the range where ever you start, 30 or even lower, is too big surely? You would never need all those gears, I've never used one that's just the way it looks to me. The Alfine 8 or SRAM 9 are just about there and the 11 is maybe a tad over the top.

I think the starting point maybe does the Rohloff an injustice, if the low gear was 20 inches then top gear would be 105.2. The problem with the Rohloff, in my mind, is the even steps in the gearing, 13% across the board. For some this is attractive but I'd consider it more useful with varied steps. Maybe a big jump at top and bottom to give you a pair of overdrives for extremes. Then the middle 12 more closely packed, especially in the frequent riding range.

I bought the I-9 after going through all this, though the Alfine 11 wasn't available at the time. The I-9 offered the greatest versatility, at the most reasonable price point and with, by far, the easiest wheel removal mechanism, ie QR for gear hookup. I'd actually say that the I-9 with a 2:1 ratio, giving 29 to 99 gear inches is a very good spread. The downsides are the extra weight, it is heavier than the Shimanos and the twist grip only option(something Rohloff suffers from as well). It really depends on useage, for serious touring then the Rohloff is going to give the lowest gears without dropping too much at the top. For general riding the Alfine 8 is very tempting due to the integrated Versa shifters. For versatility without an eye watering price then it's I-9 or Alfine 11.

Bearing in mind that I sourced this for a 40 mile commute yet, if sourcing again I'd go 3 speed/SS/Fixed or possibly Alfine 8 just to get the Versa controls. The Pompetamine Pro is a very good deal at £1k and you could add in a SON dynohub wheel and lights and come in at about £1300, or even an Alfine dynohub though reviews are a bit sketchy on it at present. I spent more than that on my commuter and had to draw the line at my desired dynohub wheel as spend was getting out of control.

 

[domjon]

I've got a boardman hybrid pro ltd for my commute of 6 miles each way in all weather. All I can say is if you do go with the boardman you won't be disappointed...it's a great bike. The pro ltd also has double-tap shifters if you can stretch the extra couple of hundred quid. The saddle is pretty damn comfy actually...might not look the best but I've done fifty milers on it with no problem whatsoever.

I've ridden mine for six months or so now absolutely stock...'was going to change the tyres cos of some dodgy reviews but again I've had no problems with them...fast and grippy on the road and done plenty of miles along canal paths on them too. I don't drive so mine really has to be an ALL weather commuter so I'm planning on sticking some 35mm schwalbe studded tyres on just before christmas..I've looked around the web and it seems I can fit these on and still get some 45mm chromoplastic mudguards with a minimal amount of tweakery.

The pro ltd weighs in a smidgen over 20lb I believe...pretty damn good condsidering the disk brakes. It's plenty fast enough for me and effortless going up hills...which for me is a major issue...who wants to get burnt out slogging up hills on their way to work?

You read a lot on the forums about hybrids being the worst of both worlds and I nearly let myself get talked into a road bike...so glad I didn't... the boardman is the perfect bike for my needs...light, fast, excellent brakes and with a spare set of wider tyres perfectly capable of off-road stuff.

ha, that sounds like a sales pitch..where's my commission.? Honestly though it still makes me smile every morning I get on it...can't say fairer than that. :-)

 

[roadratneil]

I think the starting point maybe does the Rohloff an injustice, if the low gear was 20 inches then top gear would be 105.2. The problem with the Rohloff, in my mind, is the even steps in the gearing, 13% across the board. For some this is attractive but I'd consider it more useful with varied steps. Maybe a big jump at top and bottom to give you a pair of overdrives for extremes. Then the middle 12 more closely packed, especially in the frequent riding range.

I bought the I-9 after going through all this, though the Alfine 11 wasn't available at the time. The I-9 offered the greatest versatility, at the most reasonable price point and with, by far, the easiest wheel removal mechanism, ie QR for gear hookup. I'd actually say that the I-9 with a 2:1 ratio, giving 29 to 99 gear inches is a very good spread. The downsides are the extra weight, it is heavier than the Shimanos and the twist grip only option(something Rohloff suffers from as well). It really depends on useage, for serious touring then the Rohloff is going to give the lowest gears without dropping too much at the top. For general riding the Alfine 8 is very tempting due to the integrated Versa shifters. For versatility without an eye watering price then it's I-9 or Alfine 11.

Bearing in mind that I sourced this for a 40 mile commute yet, if sourcing again I'd go 3 speed/SS/Fixed or possibly Alfine 8 just to get the Versa controls. The Pompetamine Pro is a very good deal at £1k and you could add in a SON dynohub wheel and lights and come in at about £1300, or even an Alfine dynohub though reviews are a bit sketchy on it at present. I spent more than that on my commuter and had to draw the line at my desired dynohub wheel as spend was getting out of control.