Bike dilemma
05-05-09 | 07:29 AM
#1
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Joined: Mar 2009
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Bike dilemma
I can't find a bike in my size with an Alfine hub. My old single speed is worn out and is falling apart. I’m a solid 6’3” with about a 36” bike inseam (as defined by https://www.coloradocyclist.com/bikefit).
I want an Alfine hub (my wife has one on a Giant Transend EX and I love it). I also need the ability to attach a child carrier hitch – specifically we have a Chariot.
The only bike I can find in my size AND can accept the aforementioned hitch is the Giant Seek 1. The guy who sold us the Transend EX said that he would love to sell me the men’s version, but truly believed it would be too small. Both Trek and Swobo responded that their sliding rear drop-outs would not work with the hitch. The other manufacturers (Felt, Brodie, Specialized, etc.) seem too small.
My question is, are there any other bikes that would fit me with an Alfine hub? I don’t want to “pound a square peg into a round hole” by raising the seat way up and adjusting the stem too high. I prefer a more upright and relaxed ride.
Alternatively, I am flirting with the idea of building a bike, but have no clue about cost – the only part I have is Brooks saddle B-66 or something like that. My LBS guy said he would help build it if I wanted. I don’t want to spend much more than $1,000 and don’t think I can build a bike comparable component wise to the Seek 1 without greatly exceeding my budget.
Am I missing something?
Why the IGH? For me, all of my needs are within 5 miles – work, groceries, parks and recreation, downtown, markets, etc. Shifting from a standstill with a Chariot and a load of groceries is awesome. Stopping power of disc brakes with that kind of load is awesome too. Any help is appreciated.
I want an Alfine hub (my wife has one on a Giant Transend EX and I love it). I also need the ability to attach a child carrier hitch – specifically we have a Chariot.
The only bike I can find in my size AND can accept the aforementioned hitch is the Giant Seek 1. The guy who sold us the Transend EX said that he would love to sell me the men’s version, but truly believed it would be too small. Both Trek and Swobo responded that their sliding rear drop-outs would not work with the hitch. The other manufacturers (Felt, Brodie, Specialized, etc.) seem too small.
My question is, are there any other bikes that would fit me with an Alfine hub? I don’t want to “pound a square peg into a round hole” by raising the seat way up and adjusting the stem too high. I prefer a more upright and relaxed ride.
Alternatively, I am flirting with the idea of building a bike, but have no clue about cost – the only part I have is Brooks saddle B-66 or something like that. My LBS guy said he would help build it if I wanted. I don’t want to spend much more than $1,000 and don’t think I can build a bike comparable component wise to the Seek 1 without greatly exceeding my budget.
Am I missing something?
Why the IGH? For me, all of my needs are within 5 miles – work, groceries, parks and recreation, downtown, markets, etc. Shifting from a standstill with a Chariot and a load of groceries is awesome. Stopping power of disc brakes with that kind of load is awesome too. Any help is appreciated.
05-05-09 | 07:47 AM
#2
Just to open your horizons a bit...have you considered just swapping a wheel?
No doubt there's a ton of bikes out there that would fit your parameters other than the Alfine hub (I know, I'm 6'-4" with a 36" inseam) within your budget. If you find something close, any mechanic should be able to swap out the rear wheel and shifter to the Alfine gear. If you have a good LBS to work with, they may give you credit for the wheel so you're not stuck with extra parts, and to keep the cost down.
No worries with the IGH. I just finished building my own 650b-wheeled Nexus 8 bike for short trips, although I chose the coaster rear and dynamo with disc front.
No doubt there's a ton of bikes out there that would fit your parameters other than the Alfine hub (I know, I'm 6'-4" with a 36" inseam) within your budget. If you find something close, any mechanic should be able to swap out the rear wheel and shifter to the Alfine gear. If you have a good LBS to work with, they may give you credit for the wheel so you're not stuck with extra parts, and to keep the cost down.
No worries with the IGH. I just finished building my own 650b-wheeled Nexus 8 bike for short trips, although I chose the coaster rear and dynamo with disc front.
05-05-09 | 08:48 AM
#3
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Joined: Mar 2009
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I hadn't thought of that - thanks for the suggestion. I did a quick search, and maybe I'm missing something, but it doesn't appear that I'd be able to add disc brakes to almost all of them - let alone fenders and a rack. I need it to do some commuter duty in Michigan.
05-05-09 | 04:01 PM
#4
What types of bikes are you looking for?
If it's a standard 26" MTB, there are plenty with discs to choose from, and since they also use a 135mm rear spacing, the Alfine hub would fit no problem. All you'd have to do is move the rotor from the original wheel to the Alfine wheel and you'd be in business as far as the brakes go. The Alfine does take a different shifter though, incompatible with derailleur shifters, so that would also have to be swapped.
If you're looking for hybrids with 700c wheels, you'll have less choices for models with disc brakes, but they are out there and will certainly accommodate fenders and racks. You may have a tougher time finding a prebuilt wheel with an Alfine hub (cheaper to buy prebuilt than have a custom wheel built for you), but again it's not insurmountable. You could also trade in the shifter and rear derailleur for credit if the shop allows that (and if the bike has them).
Were it me specifically in your situation (and we are near the same size), I'd be looking at a 29er MTB, perhaps even a singlespeed like a Raleigh XXIX, a Redline Monocog Flight or a Kona Unit 2-9. The large wheels just sing on the pavement with smooth tires, and if you went down in tire size a little, fenders should fit too. You'd still have the issue of finding an Alfine wheel, but again, a decent shop will work with you and it could all be done for under your budget.
Keep in mind that with any of these bike types, you'll need a disc-compatible rear rack...or a shop that knows how to modify one for discs. I am not sure if any of the models I listed have the required rack mounts, but even that isn't a dealbreaker. Racks can be adapted with 'P' clamps to almost any frame. As for the compatibility with your trailer...at least you have a few more options to check out.
Best of luck in your search.
If it's a standard 26" MTB, there are plenty with discs to choose from, and since they also use a 135mm rear spacing, the Alfine hub would fit no problem. All you'd have to do is move the rotor from the original wheel to the Alfine wheel and you'd be in business as far as the brakes go. The Alfine does take a different shifter though, incompatible with derailleur shifters, so that would also have to be swapped.
If you're looking for hybrids with 700c wheels, you'll have less choices for models with disc brakes, but they are out there and will certainly accommodate fenders and racks. You may have a tougher time finding a prebuilt wheel with an Alfine hub (cheaper to buy prebuilt than have a custom wheel built for you), but again it's not insurmountable. You could also trade in the shifter and rear derailleur for credit if the shop allows that (and if the bike has them).
Were it me specifically in your situation (and we are near the same size), I'd be looking at a 29er MTB, perhaps even a singlespeed like a Raleigh XXIX, a Redline Monocog Flight or a Kona Unit 2-9. The large wheels just sing on the pavement with smooth tires, and if you went down in tire size a little, fenders should fit too. You'd still have the issue of finding an Alfine wheel, but again, a decent shop will work with you and it could all be done for under your budget.
Keep in mind that with any of these bike types, you'll need a disc-compatible rear rack...or a shop that knows how to modify one for discs. I am not sure if any of the models I listed have the required rack mounts, but even that isn't a dealbreaker. Racks can be adapted with 'P' clamps to almost any frame. As for the compatibility with your trailer...at least you have a few more options to check out.
Best of luck in your search.
Last edited by Wordbiker; 05-05-09 at 04:06 PM.
