calamarichris

Been searching the internet high & low, and cannot find anyone who can definitely state that an 8-speed (say, an Ultegra 6400) brifter will definitely not work with a Nexus or Alfine 8-speed Internally Geared Hub.

I know it's improbable, but so was mating my Dura Ace 7800 crankset to a Gates carbon belt drive, and that worked out just fine&dandy, didn't even need the chainring spacers I'd bought, just-in-case.
The Objective: Like to put drop-bars on this bike and my Globe Live 2:




Asking the questions no one wants answers to...

dr_lha

Simple answer is no. However there are on the market STI like shifters designed to work with Alfine IGHs. E.g. Sussex Enterprises - Innovative bicycle components for Shimano internal hubs. Shaft drive bicycles, chainless bicycles, road bicycles, mountain bikes.

wschruba

Will not work. The pull ratios are completely different between derailleurs and IGHs. There is one made by Versa, but it's a piece (of ****). IGHs need very tight tolerances as far as the shifter is concerned, and that one does not cut the mustard.

J-tek makes a bar end shifter that works very well, and as a bonus, allows you to use whatever brake lever design you like best (I'm a fan of the old 'aero' style brake lever hoods, myself). You could also run an 8 speed nexus twist shifter on a hubbub bar end adaptor.

corrado33

No, normal shifters will not work with shimano IGHs. For one the pull ratios are different. For two they work in opposite directions, derailleurs more tension = lower gears, opposite for most shimano IGHs.) They have the thumb shifters available for them though. They work fine. (Not made by shimano, but by some other company...uh...Microshift maybe.)

dsbrantjr

microSHIFT -The best control system

Dave Mayer

I have measured the cable pull on my Alfine 8. The amount of cable per click (gear) is far greater than any derailleur-based system I have come across.So not compatible with any STI or Ergopower shifter that I am aware of.

calamarichris

Thanks fellows, much appreciated.
My Globe Live 2 (which is identical to the Live 3 above, except it has U-brakes and chain drive) has a Nexus twist-shift, but the housing is too big & bulky to use on drop bars IMO.

This page of the Microshift site seems to suggest that the BS-NO8 is Alfine & Nexus compatible, but it's not according to their compatibility chart. Guess I'll shoot them an email and find out.

And I'll look around for the J-Tek; I could get used to bar-end shifters too.

Many thanks for the guidance and suggestions!

fietsbob

the inventory of the one Brifter made (' Versus' ) as reported on this forum, sold out last year . Mfg contract was not renewed ..

Jtek Engineering Bicycle Equipment Shop at SJS Cycles They're in UK now.. but ship globally.

calamarichris

Dank u wel, Bob.
Thing is, now I'm tempted to get that new 11-speed Alfine hub that your link brought to my attention...

79pmooney

There's room for an inventor here. Design a small box. Inside this box is a short rod (or pair of wheels of different diameters) with a pivot in the middle. Cable from the shift lever goes to one end. Cable out to the derailleur from the other end. The rod or pair of wheels would be specific to that application, ie 8-speed Shimano derailleur to 8-speed Alfine. Swap out the rod to a different one and use another hub or derailleur system. This box could clamp under the downtube or chainstay.

I won't be inventing this. Friction DT still works for me and that cable pull issue works well using digital feedback.

Ben

fietsbob

The 11 speed Alfine is offered in a Di2 type electronic shifting too

and the buttons can go under the drop bar tape where its convenient.

even more than 1 set of buttons..