Sarjoy wrote: ↑26 Jun 2021, 3:33pm
Lastly my current level of fitness and hills around here make me wonder if the Alfine 8 goes low enough. I am trying to avoid buying another overgeared derailleur bike - 27! - but I have found some great 10 and 11 speed derailleur hybrids available with a large rear sprocket I am sure would get me up anything round here.
What were the chainring sizes and what was the cassette on your previous bike? If you do not know, tell us the make, model and year of the bike, because it is likely to be possible to find the information online.
If the bike had a typical MTB triple chainset and cassette, then it probably had bottom gears lower than you would get with an Alfine 8 or 11, or with the 42 x 11-46 derailleur set up you mention.
Hi, I can also recommend Sheldon’s Gear Inch Calculator upthread. You can input all the parameters for your current bike, and for your intended hub geared bike and make a useful comparison.
I haven’t used an Alfine 8, but have two ‘Red Band’ Nexus 8 bikes on the go. The hub internals and gear spacing are the same I believe.
I can thoroughly recommend this hub for your stated use as a low maintenance commuter. True they are not as efficient as a well maintained derailleur, but it’s not a deal breaker and the overall the pros outweighs the cons.
In the right bike you can stretch to day rides and tours. I have a Nexus 8 in a Surly Crosscheck frame as a commute/ winter / tourer / Do it all bike. It’s done a couple of 3-7day tours (for a hillier tour I fitted a double chain set and chain tensioner). It does 50-100km day rides in the winter.
Re belt drive and hub gears, this topic has come up on the forum before. I think Brucey mentioned the higher tension of the belt is harder on the hub internals and can be a hub killer. I run full length steel mudguards with a big front mud flap. Chains and sprockets last so long this way that I’ve not felt the need for the belt drive approach.
Best wishes
Luke
LuckyLuke wrote: ↑27 Jun 2021, 12:51pm
CAAACE8D-7856-4370-BF78-4F0F05A79F16.jpeg
Here’s my Nexus 8 gear inches, with a 38T chainring and 23T sprocket.
One loses high gears, but I’m so slow it hasn’t been a deal breaker at all!
Mine is almost identical, compared to my ideal set up, I've lost at least one lower gear and I do miss at least one higher gear. it's fine for the use it gets, but I wouldn't want it to be my only bike.
Thanks so much for such a detailed and considered response. Have to make a decision soon particularly with the limited options and stock available at present. Will probably come down to availability which is good for someone like me who procrastinates and over-analyses instead of just getting out riding again! Thanks again.
Thanks to all particularly simonin... for your detailed response. I think I have enough info now to be going on with. This forum is great and has made me wish I had asked for help years ago when agonising over bike choices!
I too am a well established user of igh's. I've used Sram, SA, Shimano and Rohloff hubs.
I've used two Nexus 7's and one red band Nexus 8. I hated the Nexus 8 - I found the combination of the variable gear spacing together with switching between the 2 and 3 stage gearing really inconvenient. I couldn't find a chainring/sprocket combination that would give me the low and high gears needed without having some really unhelpful changes in the most used middle range. The other thing I hated were the roller clutches - compared to pawls this gives a really mushy feel as the take up is progressive. I'd prefer a Nexus 7 to be honest. I gave the Nexus 8 away and replaced it with a Rohloff which I've found to be truly excellent in every respect even if expensive.
“Mine is almost identical, compared to my ideal set up, I've lost at least one lower gear and I do miss at least one higher gear. it's fine for the use it gets, but I wouldn't want it to be my only bike.”
Hi PH, yes good call. A 10 speed as you describe would probably be perfect for my needs.
Best wishes
Luke
MartinC wrote: ↑28 Jun 2021, 11:16am
I too am a well established user of igh's. I've used Sram, SA, Shimano and Rohloff hubs.
I've used two Nexus 7's and one red band Nexus 8. I hated the Nexus 8 - I found the combination of the variable gear spacing together with switching between the 2 and 3 stage gearing really inconvenient. I couldn't find a chainring/sprocket combination that would give me the low and high gears needed without having some really unhelpful changes in the most used middle range. The other thing I hated were the roller clutches - compared to pawls this gives a really mushy feel as the take up is progressive. I'd prefer a Nexus 7 to be honest. I gave the Nexus 8 away and replaced it with a Rohloff which I've found to be truly excellent in every respect even if expensive.
Yes, a Rohloff is on my bucket list!
Best wishes
Luke
Here’s my Nexus 8 gear inches, with a 38T chainring and 23T sprocket.
I just answer the phone and empty the trash here, but just so you know your 38/23 = 1.65 primary drive ratio is below (torquier than) Shimano's recommendations in the latest DM-SG0004-02-ENG manual.
Here’s my Nexus 8 gear inches, with a 38T chainring and 23T sprocket.
I just answer the phone and empty the trash here, but just so you know your 38/23 = 1.65 primary drive ratio is below (torquier than) Shimano's recommendations in the latest DM-SG0004-02-ENG manual.
DM-SG0004-02-ENG.png
Hi Sid,
Yes, I thought I’d chance it!
I reasoned that I’m light, 67kg, a spinner not a masher, rarely out of the saddle. Plus the hub has a good rep for reliability.
I did a loaded coast to coast and Reivers Route last summer with a 50,34 double up front and 23T on the back. Fortunately it didn’t explode!
Best wishes
Luke
LuckyLuke wrote: ↑2 Jul 2021, 11:27amI reasoned that I’m light, 67kg, a spinner not a masher, rarely out of the saddle. Plus the hub has a good rep for reliability.
Informed and considered. Commendable.
Besides, to paraphrase Pirates of the Carribean, it's more like guidelines than actual law.
