Bicycle Mechanics - Hub spacing for Alfine hubs?

Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.



PDA

View Full Version : Hub spacing for Alfine hubs?

KevinF
06-11-10, 05:59 PM
I have a 1998-era Cannondale frame. It lived most of its life with 9-speed Ultegra, so it has 130mm spacing.

It's currently configured as a single-speed, but I don't use it that much. I was thinking of converting it to use the Alfine 8-speed internal hub so I could use it as a yucky-weather commuter. I saw on the Harris Cyclery page a pre-built Alfine hub wheel (http://harriscyclery.net/itemdetails.cfm?ID=2981), but the description states that the wheel has 132mm spacing.

132? I never heard of 132, so I'm half thinking that's a typo. Even so, it's only 1mm on each side from what I currently have, but before I take the plunge, I wanted to make sure that this is going to work. Any reasons why it wouldn't work?

Thanks

joejack951
06-11-10, 06:11 PM
If it really is 132mm OLD, it's likely intentionally done to allow it to fit both 130 and 135mm spaced frames. Some frames are spaced at 132.5mm for the same flexibility. I've fit 130mm hubs into 126mm spaced aluminum Cannondale frames so at 132mm, it should fit without issue in a 130mm frame.
HillRider
06-11-10, 06:43 PM
If it really is 132mm OLD, it's likely intentionally done to allow it to fit both 130 and 135mm spaced frames. Some frames are spaced at 132.5mm for the same flexibility
Yep, Surly spaces its Cross Check frames 132.5 mm to allow use of 130 or 135 mm hubs and I have a '92 Trek bonded Al frame that's spaced 128 mm to take either 126 or 130 mm hubs so it's a common technique. The 2mm difference for your Cannondale is of no consequence at all.

Mr IGH
06-12-10, 04:38 PM
Alfine hub is 135mm as per Shimano's documentation:
http://bike.shimano.com/publish/content/global_cycle/en/us/index/tech_support/tech_tips.download.-Par50lparsys-0015-downloadFile.html/08)%20Hub%20Dimensions.pdf
The Nexus is 132mm, if you find a wheel with a Nexus 8R36, that is the same internals as an Alfine:
http://bike.shimano.com/publish/content/global_cycle/en/us/index/tech_support/tech_tips.download.-Par50lparsys-0016-downloadFile.html/09)%20Differences%20Between%20Hubs.pdf

IMHO, 5mm spread is a little much ofr an Al frame, I'd find a Nexyus wheel.