Is there one?
I'm having problems finding a comprehensive summary of installation, maintenance, etc. I'm aware that different bike set-ups need different fittings but don't know the specifics. Also unclear about maintenance, cog spec/compatibility, merits (or otherwise) of different shifters (the Microshift drop bar ones look interesting).
Personal recommendations or criticisms based on use welcome.
For context it'd be for my commuter, which has sliding vertical dropouts with the gear cable routed down the seat stay, and it's probably the 11 speed Alfine I'd be interested in.
Also recommendations on shops that deal in them (West Yorkshire).
Not sure about long term maintenance as my Alfine equipped Cube Hyde Race got stolen, but one thing I noticed is you need to loctite the spokes into the nipples as they will keep working themselves loose otherwise. A guy at work had the same bike and faced the same problem so it could be a Cube wheel build issue, but something to be aware of anyway.
That's all I've got I'm afraid, other than to say it was a good system for commuting.
If I put the search term Alfine User Manual into Google, the first two hits are massive PDF Shimano service manual downloads. Should have everything you need.
Personally I've never had to loctite spokes on my Alfine wheels beyond the normal spoke prep stuff I use.
Used an Alpine 11 for about 6 years commuting. Lasted 25,000 miles, only needed oil change every few 1000 miles. Eventually cracked internally. They are heavy and also managed to crack the drive side dropout (steel singular swift, so was able to get it welded). The Alfine trigger shifter was fine.
Did need to rebuild the rear wheel once in that time.
The rear cog is attached by a snapring and you are limited to the size fitted (18T) on mine.
SJS Cycles stocked all the parts including the fitting kit you'll need. Could have fixed the hub but lockdown happened and never did that commute again.
Would probably not have another one but it served it purposes for many years.
Alfine hubs are essentially the same as Nexus hubs, but with different sealing, bearings etc.
Start here and work up: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/nexus.html
I ran 7-speed and 8-speed Nexus hubs for years. Currently running a 3-speed Nexus hub on my utility bike
Didn't think to look at the old Sheldon Brown site - that's exactly the kind of thing I was after.
Bit of a bargain if you're up for electronic shifting:
The rear cog is attached by a snapring and you are limited to the size fitted (18T) on mine.
Sturmey archer cogs fit and you can get a variety of shimano sizes anyway. Nexus is also the same fitting
I put many miles on an Alfine 500/8sp commuter. Faultless other than poor efficiency/drag in certain gears that was really noticeable.
Eldest used an Alfine 700/11sp for Deliveroo and Uni commute around Edinburgh for three years. He put on about 7k miles... And did nothing to the hub - just a few cable and brake pads changed, a few tyres... And it felt less draggy.
I’ve been really happy with mine. 8spd nexus with belt drive. It doesn’t have the range of the old 10spd set up of the previous commuter, but my commute is short and it’s manageable. The 11spd would probably solve the minor problem.
I think the service is an occasional dunk in transmission fluid at the bike shop, but it hasn’t got much mileage on it so I haven’t investigated
I think the service is an occasional dunk in transmission fluid at the bike shop, but it hasn’t got much mileage on it so I haven’t investigated
You can buy a Shimano kit to DIY, but that doesn't come with a bottle of oil, it is supplied with a gourd of Unicorn tears. Well I assume that's what's in it due to the cost.
Shimano Workshop Internal gear hub maintenance oil dipping set – BikeParts.co.uk https://share.google/EndHS9np3vnc9hsv8
Or you can buy some automatic gearbox oil from a motor factor and cut the bottom off a pop bottle. 😁
I had one on a commuter for a while. I find it hard to recommend one - in my experience it was heavy, draggy, and a pain the arse when you get a puncture. You still need to oil your chain, so the maintenance compared to a derailleur setup is pretty much equal...
Wax the chain - I used to do it every 500 to thousand miles on my alfine commuter. Cheap cogs not a cassette to replace when worn and they get less draggy once run in and dunked in ATF
There is a trick to releasing the cable from an alfine which makes it easier to remove the wheel but I ran puncture proof tyres
I hated mine on my old Roadrat. Like dragging a boat anchor around on the back of the bike - gave it away to someone on here in the end and went singlespeed which transformed the bike...
There was a good thread on 11sp Alfines on the Cycling UK forum - will try and dig out the link later
Mate has an alfine 11 equipped bike, he rates it, and tells me that his is noticeably more free running than most other alfines, according to his mechanic (who has sold quite a number of alfine equipped bikes)
I’ve ridden it a couple of times and didn’t find it terribly draggy, but it was noticeable.
would i buy one? Only if i had to commute in all weathers, otherwise I think i would stick with derailleurs, or go singlespeed.
that said, the ability to shift while not pedalling is a definite advantage.
I ran an Alfine 11 speed on my Genesis fortitude adventure for 11 years - mostly commuting miles in all weathers.
It's a definite compromise between reliability and weight. It needed very little maintenance - just an oil change every so often. I used EP75 gearbox oil instead of Shimano's super expensive stuff. It did always weep oil which was a common problem (may have been fixed now, my hub was from 2013 I think) - I treated that as a rolling oil change. In the last year the oil leak got worse so I tried opening the hub and filling it with NLGI 1.5 grease instead of oil which I'd read on the internet worked ok and it seemed to be fine. I'd probably not do that on a new hub though. Changing the sprocket when needed is a fairly simple job.
The hub is heavy, you can feel the weight when riding and feels a lot more draggy than a clean well set up derailleur. Also, and I don't know if this is because of the hub, I broke more drive-side spokes over the years than seemed normal.
I tend to neglect my commuting bike so having something that just worked, even when covered in clag, was worth the weight and drag issue.
In the end, the gears I used most often started slipping a lot and I don't have the mechanical know-how to try and sort that out if it's even possible. If anyone fancies trying, they're welcome to have the hub and associated gubbins for the cost of postage.
