Originally Posted by
RedWhiteandRed
I am thrilled with my Alfine. I ride a Giant Seek with the Alfine and the hydraulic disk brakes and the bike amazes me: reliable is the key word. The gears work, the wheels stay true and the stopping power is beyond what I would have previously thought possible.
Alfine alone is likely not the key because (IMHO) the entire bike works well together.
I have no experience with other IGH hubs or the like.
I paid $900 CDN for my Giant Seek 1 and think it the best value purchase I have made in decades.
Another satisfied Seek1 user here. My only gripe is that there is just BARELY enough room in the back for Nokian 240 40mm studded tires to clear the chainstays. I rode last year with just a tiny bit of clearance. This year, I have decided to go with the Schwalbe Marathon Winter in the back. The Tires and rims just aren't as true as last year, so the smaller Schwalbe will give me a bit more room. I can't say enough about those shimano hydro brakes - LOVE THEM!
No issues with the Alfine in the cold, although I have stopped riding at below zero F temps.