Alfine Hub Fail!
#1
Born Again Pagan
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Southwestern Ontario
Posts: 2,241
Bikes: Schwinn hybrid, Raleigh MTB
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Alfine Hub (or more correctly, Gates aluminum cog) Fail!
So... I bought my new Alfine-equipped, belt-driven bike in late July. For the most part it has functioned flawlessly (as any $1000+ bicycle should, IMHO). The belt did slip off the cog while mashing up a hill shortly after purchase (see post #69 on page 3 of this thread if interested) and after a few adjustments it seemed that I'd solved the problem. Since the adjustment, however, I have been concerned that my belt tension was too tight despite assurances from the LBS that it was fine.
After reading a post from another Ceres owner I decided to back off the tension a smidge. After the first adjustment and test ride I noticed that the belt was starting to move off-track. I made another small adjustment and seemed to dial it in. Then came the acid test... I started to mash the pedals. Everything was fine for the first couple of tries, but on the third try the pedals gave way under my feet. I figured the belt had slipped off the cog again but when I looked down the belt line was fine. I tried pedaling again and, although there was some resistance, the hub wouldn't engage... nada through all the gears.
I took the bike inside and looked over the hub. The little yellow lines lined up in 4th gear as they should and I couldn't see anything obviously wrong with the hub, except for the fact that when I spun the crank, the rear cog also spun forward while the hub did not. Having no experience with IGH before this bike I am reluctant to touch anything on the hub and I am returning it to the LBS asap. Unfortunately, I have to work a 12-hour shift tomorrow and the LBS is closed Sundays and Mondays. Even worse, this is the week that they take off for Interbike in Vegas. It looks as if my nice, new bike may be sitting idle for a week or more while I wait for my LBS to accommodate me.
Anyway... are there any other Alfine users out there who have experienced a similar problem? If so, I'd sure like to hear from you. In the meantime I will be riding my Schwinn and thanking the Cycling Gods for N+1 (while cursing them under my breath at the same time).
After reading a post from another Ceres owner I decided to back off the tension a smidge. After the first adjustment and test ride I noticed that the belt was starting to move off-track. I made another small adjustment and seemed to dial it in. Then came the acid test... I started to mash the pedals. Everything was fine for the first couple of tries, but on the third try the pedals gave way under my feet. I figured the belt had slipped off the cog again but when I looked down the belt line was fine. I tried pedaling again and, although there was some resistance, the hub wouldn't engage... nada through all the gears.
I took the bike inside and looked over the hub. The little yellow lines lined up in 4th gear as they should and I couldn't see anything obviously wrong with the hub, except for the fact that when I spun the crank, the rear cog also spun forward while the hub did not. Having no experience with IGH before this bike I am reluctant to touch anything on the hub and I am returning it to the LBS asap. Unfortunately, I have to work a 12-hour shift tomorrow and the LBS is closed Sundays and Mondays. Even worse, this is the week that they take off for Interbike in Vegas. It looks as if my nice, new bike may be sitting idle for a week or more while I wait for my LBS to accommodate me.
Anyway... are there any other Alfine users out there who have experienced a similar problem? If so, I'd sure like to hear from you. In the meantime I will be riding my Schwinn and thanking the Cycling Gods for N+1 (while cursing them under my breath at the same time).
Last edited by irclean; 10-04-10 at 08:48 PM. Reason: Edit title
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Santa Fe, NM
Posts: 4,599
Bikes: Vassago Moosknuckle Ti 29+ XTR, 90's Merckx Corsa-01 9sp Record, PROJECT: 1954 Frejus SuperCorsa
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 174 Post(s)
Liked 157 Times
in
75 Posts
Bummer!
Please keep us posted. You might pop a message to the Yahoo IGH group (several members of that group are active in BF as well).
https://groups.yahoo.com/group/Geared_hub_bikes/
Please keep us posted. You might pop a message to the Yahoo IGH group (several members of that group are active in BF as well).
https://groups.yahoo.com/group/Geared_hub_bikes/
#3
Born Again Pagan
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Southwestern Ontario
Posts: 2,241
Bikes: Schwinn hybrid, Raleigh MTB
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Well, I finally got my bike looked at by my LBS and it appears that I sheared off the rear cog's "tangs"; the little tabs that interface with the Alfine hub. Unlike my hybrid and MTB cassettes, there aren't 9 strong splines interfacing with the hub. Apparently my 295 lb. frame can generate enough torque to shear the aluminum tangs right off of the cog when hammering on the pedals.
The good news is that the bike is under warranty, so for one year I can go through as many cogs as needed. Better news is that there is nothing wrong with the pricey hub itself. The bad news, of course, is that the design is flawed and I may go through more cogs. In the meantime I guess I'll have to remain mindful of how much torque I generate. That's really gonna suck if I want to get out of the saddle for climbing or some quick acceleration; things I used to take for granted before my new bike.
In any case I still think I got the title of this thread right; this is a failure of the hub's design rather than the belt drive system. Hopefully the soon-to-be-released Alfine 11-speed has improved on this design. My LBS owner informed me that, while in Vegas for Interbike, he found out that someone (Phil Wood?) is working on a stronger replacement part for the Alfine 8. Hopefully it arrives before my warranty expires. Also at Interbike, Gates unveiled their next-generation belt drive system:
https://www.ecovelo.info/2010/09/15/gates-centertrack/
https://www.dirtragmag.com/images/int...80%94web-37-45
The good news is that the bike is under warranty, so for one year I can go through as many cogs as needed. Better news is that there is nothing wrong with the pricey hub itself. The bad news, of course, is that the design is flawed and I may go through more cogs. In the meantime I guess I'll have to remain mindful of how much torque I generate. That's really gonna suck if I want to get out of the saddle for climbing or some quick acceleration; things I used to take for granted before my new bike.
In any case I still think I got the title of this thread right; this is a failure of the hub's design rather than the belt drive system. Hopefully the soon-to-be-released Alfine 11-speed has improved on this design. My LBS owner informed me that, while in Vegas for Interbike, he found out that someone (Phil Wood?) is working on a stronger replacement part for the Alfine 8. Hopefully it arrives before my warranty expires. Also at Interbike, Gates unveiled their next-generation belt drive system:
https://www.ecovelo.info/2010/09/15/gates-centertrack/
https://www.dirtragmag.com/images/int...80%94web-37-45
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 903
Bikes: 2010 Kona Dr. Dew, Moose Bicycle XXL (fat bike), Yuba Mundo V3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
To be fair, I'm not sure a part failure when a 300 lb man is mashing the pedals on an up-slope is really a sign of a design flaw.
#5
Single-serving poster
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 5,098
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I have heard some whisperings about broken cogs and snapped belts... good news is that if you get annoyed you can just switch back to a chain.
#7
commuter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 111
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Might want your LBS talk to CERES or Gates and order the steel rear sprocket rather than the aluminum alloy. Plus the steel stop ring, and, if necessary, a compatible belt.
Its the new CDC system.
Its the new CDC system.
#8
Born Again Pagan
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Southwestern Ontario
Posts: 2,241
Bikes: Schwinn hybrid, Raleigh MTB
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I'm not ready to give up just yet; I've read way more positive testimonials about belt drive than I have negative. Like many new technologies there are going to be some bugs to sort out. I'm sure the designers of the original dérailleurs also faced many hurdles getting their design to work.
#9
Born Again Pagan
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Southwestern Ontario
Posts: 2,241
Bikes: Schwinn hybrid, Raleigh MTB
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
My LBS owner did talk to Norco (Ceres is the model name, BTW) and the rep he talked to warned that I might keep having this problem, being a bigger guy. I assume from that discussion that the replacement part they were planning to ship is an aluminum one. I was not aware that steel versions were available... thank you very much; I will be sure to mention this to the LBS tomorrow.
The LBS owner did mention that there may be a stronger cog available, but he could not remember if it was a Phil Wood rep he had talked to, or someone else. Perhaps he was referring to this. The website declares that the cog is machined out of steel and is available for the Nexus/Alfine hub.
Edit: I found some info on the CDC here. Like you said, the CDC system offers steel cogs. If I can secure one I'd say it's worth a shot, especially considering the fact that I'm far from a weight weenie who's concerned about a few extra grams. One other interesting fact from that article - apparently there are now 90 models from 24 different manufacturers using the Gates Carbon Belt Drive system. Looks like it's more than just a flash in the pan.
Last edited by irclean; 10-01-10 at 12:10 AM. Reason: Found CDC info
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Santa Fe, NM
Posts: 4,599
Bikes: Vassago Moosknuckle Ti 29+ XTR, 90's Merckx Corsa-01 9sp Record, PROJECT: 1954 Frejus SuperCorsa
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 174 Post(s)
Liked 157 Times
in
75 Posts
Thanks for the update on this. I am no fan of the "3 spline" design for the alfine cog mounting.
I haven't encountered any issues with my drivetrain yet (other than your previously identified sensitivity of the belt-line to rear wheel alignment angle).
So far, I've been very impressed with the performance of the belt drive + Alfine combo, and I'll be sure to report here if anything does come up.
Thanks again for the update!
I haven't encountered any issues with my drivetrain yet (other than your previously identified sensitivity of the belt-line to rear wheel alignment angle).
So far, I've been very impressed with the performance of the belt drive + Alfine combo, and I'll be sure to report here if anything does come up.
Thanks again for the update!
#11
afraid of whales
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Front Range, CO
Posts: 4,306
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 347 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
5 Posts
I've never seen a 3 spline sprocket made of aluminum, interesting someone tried a belt cog in Al. The classic 3 spline is old but I've never seen a spline failure with the steel chain sprockets. The only issue I've seen is the c-clip coming loose, I always verify the clip is seated, grit can get in there and keep it from seating. I'm 50lbs lighter than OP, I run an Alfine on a mountain bike with 32x23 and climb hills until I stall out.
#12
Born Again Pagan
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Southwestern Ontario
Posts: 2,241
Bikes: Schwinn hybrid, Raleigh MTB
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I just called my LBS and put in an order for the new CDC (steel) cog. Hopefully it stands up to abuse better than the CDX (aluminum) one. I guess I'm gonna have to treat it with some rustproofing to protect it from the elements, because it will see snow and ice duty this winter.
Last edited by irclean; 10-01-10 at 11:39 AM.
#13
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Finland
Posts: 113
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I just install 22t rear sprocket and it looks like this.
Aluminum cog and steel insert.
Almost all coaster brake and Internally geared hubs use 3-tab spline pattern without problems.
#14
Señior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Michigan
Posts: 13,749
Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 446 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
7 Posts
I certainly do. Any mechanical part that can't take at least twice the expected maximum conditions is badly designed. Especially one that's likely to get someone KILLED. You could easily sheer the tangs off when hammering to try to get out of the way of a truck.
__________________
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
#15
Palmer
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 8,599
Bikes: Mike Melton custom, Alex Moulton AM, Dahon Curl
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1657 Post(s)
Liked 1,803 Times
in
1,050 Posts
It would seem Gates erred when they blithely substituted aluminum for steel in their cog design.
#16
ride for a change
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 2,221
Bikes: Surly Cross-check & Moonlander, Pivot Mach 429, Ted Wojcik Sof-Trac, Ridley Orion. Santa Cruz Stigmata
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
No problems so far with my Alfine 8, but it's a good old fashioned chain drive. I guess I could do a thread search for opinions or promotional information, but I don't get the allure of the belt drive.
#17
Single-serving poster
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 5,098
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Granted... but I'm sure there are guys as big as or larger than me mashing pedals as we speak without suffering similar problems. In fact, there's an entire sub-forum here that's dedicated to them. Not to mention fully loaded touring rigs that are called upon to climb hills all day long. I don't know what to call it other than a design flaw. After all... no other bike that I'm currently riding, or that I've ever ridden, has displayed the same problem. BTW the cog failed while mashing on level ground in front of my house and I wasn't asking the cog to do anything I wouldn't ask any of the components on any of my bikes to do.
I'm not ready to give up just yet; I've read way more positive testimonials about belt drive than I have negative. Like many new technologies there are going to be some bugs to sort out. I'm sure the designers of the original dérailleurs also faced many hurdles getting their design to work.
I'm not ready to give up just yet; I've read way more positive testimonials about belt drive than I have negative. Like many new technologies there are going to be some bugs to sort out. I'm sure the designers of the original dérailleurs also faced many hurdles getting their design to work.
#18
Born Again Pagan
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Southwestern Ontario
Posts: 2,241
Bikes: Schwinn hybrid, Raleigh MTB
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
...And I don't get the resistance; it's almost as if some (not you, modernjess ) are hoping for it to fail so they can say their "I-told-you-sos". For me, a 2-minute test ride is all it took, and I was hooked. Same goes for the Alfine hub. I'm not naive enough to think that belt drive or IGH are going to faze out chains and dérailleurs anytime soon (or at all, for that matter), but I do believe we'll see more and more similar setups in the coming years, especially as the bugs get ironed out. I just makes sense; less mess, less maintenance, and less noise (which offsets the extra dough, but like any new technology it is likely to become cheaper as the years go by). Those who don't get it never will, and those of us who do don't care if they get it or not.
#19
Gear Hub fan
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 2,829
Bikes: Civia Hyland Rohloff, Swobo Dixon, Colnago, Univega
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I do not call this a hub failure that can be blamed on Shimano but a case of an after market accessory that was inadequately engineered in the first place.
__________________
Gear Hubs Owned: Rohloff disc brake, SRAM iM9 disc brake, SRAM P5 freewheel, Sachs Torpedo 3 speed freewheel, NuVinci CVT, Shimano Alfine SG S-501, Sturmey Archer S5-2 Alloy. Other: 83 Colnago Super Record, Univega Via De Oro
Visit and join the Yahoo Geared Hub Bikes group for support and links.
https://groups.yahoo.com/group/Geared_hub_bikes/
Gear Hubs Owned: Rohloff disc brake, SRAM iM9 disc brake, SRAM P5 freewheel, Sachs Torpedo 3 speed freewheel, NuVinci CVT, Shimano Alfine SG S-501, Sturmey Archer S5-2 Alloy. Other: 83 Colnago Super Record, Univega Via De Oro
Visit and join the Yahoo Geared Hub Bikes group for support and links.
https://groups.yahoo.com/group/Geared_hub_bikes/
#20
commuter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 111
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Number of threads in this forum highlight the benefits/drawbacks of belt drive. So no need to tread the same path.
Then you get days like today where the rain/wind take moisture/particulate/large interfering particulate/road debris/tree parts to places chain drive bikes hate with a passion.
Meanwhile, I rode home within 5 minutes of my average time, parked the bike in the garage, and went in to the house for the night. I know that tomorrow, I will get out of bed and take a Saturday commute to the office with just a tire check.
No chain/derailleur clean up and relube, no brake adjustments.
As to the cog material - all you have to do is follow the path of the technology and you will see that aluminum cog made complete sense up to the point where Gates started getting feedback from their production runs for hub equipped computer bikes. There would be little to no chance that their research and life testing on the hub equipped commuter bikes would be "loaded" with large folks and their panniers going up hills mashing down and stressing the rear cog to the point where it failed.
Switching to steel is an appropriate and timely evolution of the technology as it crosses bicycle use into the commuter market.
Then you get days like today where the rain/wind take moisture/particulate/large interfering particulate/road debris/tree parts to places chain drive bikes hate with a passion.
Meanwhile, I rode home within 5 minutes of my average time, parked the bike in the garage, and went in to the house for the night. I know that tomorrow, I will get out of bed and take a Saturday commute to the office with just a tire check.
No chain/derailleur clean up and relube, no brake adjustments.
As to the cog material - all you have to do is follow the path of the technology and you will see that aluminum cog made complete sense up to the point where Gates started getting feedback from their production runs for hub equipped computer bikes. There would be little to no chance that their research and life testing on the hub equipped commuter bikes would be "loaded" with large folks and their panniers going up hills mashing down and stressing the rear cog to the point where it failed.
Switching to steel is an appropriate and timely evolution of the technology as it crosses bicycle use into the commuter market.
#21
commuter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 111
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I just called my LBS and put in an order for the new CDC (steel) cog. Hopefully it stands up to abuse better than the CDX (aluminum) one. I guess I'm gonna have to treat it with some rustproofing to protect it from the elements, because it will see snow and ice duty this winter.
Hopefully this solves the problem(s). Just note, though, if you are regularing out of your saddle on hills then you might want to consider replacing the low gear or gears on the nexus 8 with gears that will get you up the hill in the saddle. Or you can wait a year when the alfine 11 comes to market and swap out the nexus 8 which I plan to do 2 years from now after Shimano has some production experience with make the alfine 11.
Last edited by soho2009; 10-01-10 at 07:31 PM.
#22
Single-serving poster
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 5,098
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
...
As to the cog material - all you have to do is follow the path of the technology and you will see that aluminum cog made complete sense up to the point where Gates started getting feedback from their production runs for hub equipped computer bikes. There would be little to no chance that their research and life testing on the hub equipped commuter bikes would be "loaded" with large folks and their panniers going up hills mashing down and stressing the rear cog to the point where it failed.
Switching to steel is an appropriate and timely evolution of the technology as it crosses bicycle use into the commuter market.
As to the cog material - all you have to do is follow the path of the technology and you will see that aluminum cog made complete sense up to the point where Gates started getting feedback from their production runs for hub equipped computer bikes. There would be little to no chance that their research and life testing on the hub equipped commuter bikes would be "loaded" with large folks and their panniers going up hills mashing down and stressing the rear cog to the point where it failed.
Switching to steel is an appropriate and timely evolution of the technology as it crosses bicycle use into the commuter market.
#23
Señior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Michigan
Posts: 13,749
Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 446 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
7 Posts
To me the allure of the belt drive is lack of maintenance. Lubricating and changing the chain is really the only thing I ever do to my bike on a regular basis. Other than that, I change the brake pads every fall, and switch to studded tires and back at either end of winter. And replace tires every few years. Chains are the only thing I have to deal with weekly. Belts have the promise of eliminating by far the most labor-intensive maintenance item.
And they're not greasy.
And they're not greasy.
__________________
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
#24
Single-serving poster
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 5,098
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
To me the allure of the belt drive is lack of maintenance. Lubricating and changing the chain is really the only thing I ever do to my bike on a regular basis. Other than that, I change the brake pads every fall, and switch to studded tires and back at either end of winter. And replace tires every few years. Chains are the only thing I have to deal with weekly. Belts have the promise of eliminating by far the most labor-intensive maintenance item.
And they're not greasy.
And they're not greasy.
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Santa Fe, NM
Posts: 4,599
Bikes: Vassago Moosknuckle Ti 29+ XTR, 90's Merckx Corsa-01 9sp Record, PROJECT: 1954 Frejus SuperCorsa
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 174 Post(s)
Liked 157 Times
in
75 Posts
Belt drive on bicycles is a new application of a pretty solid technology (motorcycles, namely), and, as with any new application, there will be a few years of learning before they become more accepted/proven/refined. The aluminum cog tang issue is a great example of the learning process.
As the system becomes more refined and more common, I expect the "operating costs" (taking into account replacement over time) will fall more into line with conventional chain drive. I certainly do not see the belt replacing the chain, but it is a very appealing alternative for those of us who deal with snow, slush, mud and grit.
I'm one of the early adopters and am very pleased thus far - I do believe that the belt drive with an IGH offers a solid alternative to a chain drive with a fully enclosed chain case (and a superior option to an exposed drivetrain in the conditions mentioned above), particularly for commuting duty. I know I'm taking a risk by adopting so early on, and am now part of the experiment in progress.
Last edited by canyoneagle; 10-02-10 at 12:08 AM.