Originally Posted by
sstorkel
You're right, the Alfine replaces a hub, derailleur, and cassette so we should look at the entire system... Deore M592 RD: $65 & 286g, XT M756 Hub: $44 & 302g, XT M770 11-34 Cassette: $70 & 297g. Adding it up: $179, 795g. Still doesn't seem that attractive...
Chains will require more frequent replacement on a derailleur system as well as cogs if you ride in the same ones. FWIW I have both types of bikes and once dialed in the IGH drive trains require much less maintenance than the derailleur ones. On a touring bike weight is not necessarily a bad thing. As far torque input as long as you stay with in the parameters laid out you shouldn't have any trouble.
Aaron
