Folding Bikes - Shimano 11 speed internally geared hub

Just saw a post elsewhere that Shimano is going to produce an 11 speed IGH later this year

http://thelazyrando.wordpress.com/2010/02/02/11-speed-shimano-alfine/

For fans of internally geared hubs, this could be pretty sweet.

Is this a 28-hole shell hub?

Is this a 28-hole shell hub?

You might try asking over at www.ecovelo.info/ where there are 20 comments and counting (scroll down to February 2nd).

I figured Shimano would be coming out with an improved hub one of these days. I wonder how long until we actually see it!

Quite a stiff price tag, but I can't say I'm surprised. I imagine I'll be getting one within a year or two of their actual appearance.

Given the fact that the singlespeed contingent seems to do just as well as the geared contingent, if not better, I think 8 speeds is plenty.

IMO the best way to improve the current crop of IGHs is to put the indexing inside the hub like the Rohloff has.

IMO the best way to improve the current crop of IGHs is to put the indexing inside the hub like the Rohloff has.

Does this require two cables between the shifter and hub?

Kam

Every improvement in IGH's is welcome.
I like the Alfine 8 - eleven is heaven!
I don't like the trigger shifter because I couldn't find a place for it on my bars that didn't interfere with my brake levers - makes shifting awkward.

You might try asking over at www.ecovelo.info/ where there are 20 comments and counting (scroll down to February 2nd).

i doubt they know it cuz it is still under speculation...but based on the pix...what do u guys think? 28 or 32 hole shell?

Does this require two cables between the shifter and hub?

Kam

one cable and nothing sticking out the side ..... :D

Given the fact that the singlespeed contingent seems to do just as well as the geared contingent, if not better, I think 8 speeds is plenty.

IMO the best way to improve the current crop of IGHs is to put the indexing inside the hub like the Rohloff has.

I don't agree. Single vs multi-gear riding are essential different in style. Since I've been using the SA 8 hub, with its extremely even gear spacing (except for top and bottom), my cadence has stabilized in the 95-110 rpm range, and I find I'm quite uncomfortable at lower ranges. Higher ranges are possible but difficult for any long term. Of course we can debate whether it was a good thing to train my legs to work this way, but the fact is I've done it, and now I really dislike single speed riding. For this reason I've built myself a fixie, but that's another story.

Given the fact that the singlespeed contingent seems to do just as well as the geared contingent, if not better, I think 8 speeds is plenty.

I'm not sure whether the emphasized text is true in the first place. Nevertheless, I would think it depends on the bike's purpose.

Personally, I think that the 409% range is a real boost. Now one can get 90%+ of the value at 30-40% of the price. Based on my own experience, gear ranges from 20-80 and 25-100 gear inches are quite useful for utility/commuting/touring purposes.

It will be interesting to see the actual gearing -- for example, which gear is direct -- and its effect on small wheel bikes.

409% range makes it wider than typical road gearing. Having a wide range is great for touring - especially if you are riding with people of lesser capability. eg for myself, a 300% range is heaps. However, throw SWMBO into the mix, and for keeping my pace to hers, I appreciate these lower gears a lot even though I don't need them for myself. Also when you're feeling sick or weak for whatever reason (such as the rice cooker isn't finished with its job but you have low blood sugar ;) ), lower gears are the ideal bailout.

So bring it on. But I don't have a bike for it. Yet. Perhaps the Birdy...?

What is the target audience for a IGH with 28 holes...

What is the target audience for a IGH with 28 holes...

Brompton, tikit, dahon 16" folder. 32 holes are for 20" folder.

What is the target audience for a IGH with 28 holes...

Small wheels with 36 spokes are a pain in the @ss -- very little space to inflate a tire -- and totally unnecessary unless you are hauling some big loads.

This is sweet. I like the wider range and tighter gear jump. And the weight is basically the same as Alfine 8. However, the price premium is too high; perhaps the street price will be more friendly.

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Sorry if this is obvious to everyone, but what is the width of this hub? 135mm? 130mm?

This is sweet. I like the wider range and tighter gear jump. And the weight is basically the same as Alfine 8. However, the price premium is too high; perhaps the street price will be more friendly.

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I have seen street prices quoted in the ~$400 range, not out of line for an Alfine quality 11 speed hub IMHO. An 8 speed Alfine runs $250-$300 or so.

Aaron :)

I have seen street prices quoted in the ~$400 range, not out of line for an Alfine quality 11 speed hub IMHO. An 8 speed Alfine runs $250-$300 or so.

Well, before anyone gets their knickers in an irretrevable twist, Shimano hasn't officially announced this hub will ever even go to production and be on the market (although they've shown the prototype to some Euro cycle-journalists). There obviously hasn't been any announcement of North American availability or pricing, and AFAIK those price quotes are just...hmm, the nice word is "speculation".

tcs

I'm thinking this is the hub for my next cargo bike!

yet another IGH to drool after.:P I'll add it to the list of ones to save for: Rohloff, S-A S3X, S-A S2C, NuVinci...

Now to save up for a bike to put it on.;)

Sorry if this is obvious to everyone, but what is the width of this hub? 135mm? 130mm?

No official specs from Shimano yet, but the Nexus hubs are somewhere between the two. I have a frame with 132.5 spacing, and a Nexus hub fits perfectly. Since some frames are coming in at 132.5 to accommodate either/or hub spacing, I suppose it makes sense to make a hub 132.5 to fit either kind of frame with one hub spec.

At trade shows, when asked what's new for IGH, Shimano reps were all hush-hush, "...but wait til you see what we got coming." I suppose this is it. Will be a great hub, if they make it. ...and import it into the USA, where we're still waiting for roller-brake generator hubs that the rest of the world gets.