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It's my latest "I need one in my life" whim.
But seriously, how are you finding the additional weight of the hub affecting the legendary Soulesque handling?
anyone?
Not had an alfine on my simple but did in the past have one on my soul. It made the back heavy. While it still rode fine I very nearly sold the soul but at the last minute put normal gears on it. The ride was much better and felt more alive after that. I did however work well for off road commuting on year round (which was the primary purpose of the bike).
Yes, im also wondering how the Simple would double up as a tourer type machine when fitted with Alfine and thinner tyres, as if I buy one it would mean the end for my Pompetamine..
Shame to hear your Soul felt ropey with the Alfine fitted, I recall feeling the same on my 853 Inbred a couple of years ago, was tempted to sell but when I went single speed the bike came alive.
similar experience. ok on an inbred but a bit imbalanced. the bike rode much more nicely with a mech or ss. then fitted to a p7. heavier frame anyway, and a coil pike up front. much better suited as the weight of the hub was less as a percentage of the whole, and the heavier fork balanced things better front to rear. ymmv.
I'd never ridden the soul without an alfine till I nearly sold it. I still enjoyed the bike but found it much better with normal gears.
If you were touring on a simple with alfine and then using it SS the rest of the time I think it would be fine. The negatives I mentioned wouldn't apply when being used as a tourer.
I must admit to being more keen on the 'winterproof' idea of using it as trail bike with Alfine.
Cue 'just ride it single speed' comments.. I used to ride SS everywhere but since getting fat and moving to the surrey hills, im struggling with 9 gears let alone 1!