Recommend an Alfine hubbed bike pls!

[Gtpulse]

In an attempt to get this thread back on track; Intec make a 29er frame for hub gears, it doesn't cost an arm and a leg and it fits the bill.

http://intec.wpress.ra-co.firma.cc/intec-m05/?lang=en

View attachment 970837

That looks great and like it fits the bill maybe with a suspension fork.

Consideration to fixing a puncture is a good point, hopefully running tubeless would mitigate this.

I’ll pass it on!

 

[grantoury]

From my own experience, you may need to bring a wrench, but then fixing a flat shouldn't be much harder. I am not sure the Intec is appropriate for a suspension fork, but I could be wrong.

 

[Rothchild]

I'm interested to hear any experience or options to retrofitting a geared hub to (something like) an early 80s roadbike frame - If I wanted to give it a go myself what would I have to look for? I'm guessing things like width of dropouts and that I need a hub that will work with rim brakes etc, what else?

 

[Mark Manley]

I'm interested to hear any experience or options to retrofitting a geared hub to (something like) an early 80s roadbike frame - If I wanted to give it a go myself what would I have to look for? I'm guessing things like width of dropouts and that I need a hub that will work with rim brakes etc, what else?

Here is my 1986 Raleigh Granada that I upgraded to a Sturmey Archer 3 speed, not the greatest range but as it has 135mm dropouts a Shimano 7, 8 or 11 speed would have fitted. I have fitted several bikes with hub gears and never regretted it, it does help that this one has horizontal dropouts making the biggest problem clipping the cable to the downtube although there are several options without resorting to braze on cable guides.



And my Raleigh Royal fitted with a Shimano Alfine 11 speed which I find has all of the range I need for an on road touring bike, it originally used vertical dropouts with a tensioner but after I was knocked off of it the frame went to Argo cycles for repair at the expense of the driver's insurance I had them fit horizontal which was much better.



After modification with horizontal dropouts.



I believe all of the Alfine hubs are suitable for disc and rim brakes, there is a rubber cover that goes over the disc mount if you are not using it, you will also need the correct anti-rotation washers with an Alfine hub, they make four different pairs to suit whatever dropout you have to get the cable to come out in the right direction.

 

[Rothchild]

Those are both lovely, thanks for the insight. My project / donor frame will arrive with me at the end of the month, so once I've had a chance to measure the rear spacing I can get to thinking about if and how I can go about this.

 

[Rothchild]

Do Alfine hubs have a specific pull ratio for changing gear? Would it be possible to use a regular 11speed Shimano 'brifter' to facilitate a drop-bar Alfine experience (or am I going to have to go DI2 to make that happen)?

 

[sunympholepsy]

Do Alfine hubs have a specific pull ratio for changing gear? Would it be possible to use a regular 11speed Shimano 'brifter' to facilitate a drop-bar Alfine experience (or am I going to have to go DI2 to make that happen)?

You do need a specific shifter for Shimano IGHs. Versa (MicroShift) make shifters for a drop bar Nexus and Alfine (8 and 11s). I run one with 8s Alfine and it works well.

 

[Rothchild]

Thanks, I've seen some less than flattering comments about the build quality of the Versa shifters, are they better than a superficial bit of internetting suggests then?

EDIT: Oh, by crikey! They're £200 at SJS that's eyewateringly expensive

 

[sunympholepsy]

Thanks, I've seen some less than flattering comments about the build quality of the Versa shifters, are they better than a superficial bit of internetting suggests then?

Maybe I am lucky but I never had issues with them (VRS8 ) in terms of performance. The finish is definitely not quite Shimano level though, I must admit. They are also quite bulky, which could be an issue for those with smaller hands. They were already installed on the then 10 years old VSF bike I bought 5-6 years ago. It’s my trailer hauling bike so not used everyday.
Gevenalle also make an 8s shifter, I think.