Originally Posted by
bhtooefr
Although I thought the Shimano 8-speeds were a bit maintenance hungry.
I know the original Nexus 8 speed was improved upon with two subsequent versions, including the 'Red Band' hub. And the Alfine is a slightly different design, including roller clutches and a centrelock disk brake mount.
I have had my Alfine hub for a few years and have not yet taken it apart. I will report back when I get around to it, hopefully later this winter before the good riding weather comes back and the Flying Spaghetti Monster (sauce be upon Him) sends the spring rains to wash the salt off the roads.
No idea about the new G8 (I think that one is nearly vaporware) or the (recently discontinued) i-Motion 9, but I thought the (long ago discontinued) Sachs Elan 12 was known for being inefficient, heavy, and unreliable (and the Rohloff is why it doesn't exist any more)?
I never saw the Elan 12, and I suppose that is a good thing as I just read the article about it on SB's website and it sounds like a nightmare.
Basically, there are so many drivetrain options for modern bikes that if a truly inferior product like the Elan 12 comes out, it won't last long.
The Nexus and Alfine 7 and 8 speed hubs have been around for some time now, and they are still selling the Alfine 11 speeds, I think despitre some early problems. And the Rohloff has been available for quite some time with only minor variations (chain tensioners and disk brake mounts, etc).