As winter approaches I've decided to dive into a new build. (built a DT last winter) I've decided on a Surly Ogre. (frame should be here any day) What I've been thinking I'd do is put a Alfine 11 speed hub on it. My question.....

Has anyone here used the Shimano Alfine 11 speed hub for touring? If so, Does it handle the heavier loads without damage? Also what size crank did you put with it. I'm thinking of putting a little smaller crank to help with climbing.

Thanks.

Longer cranks give more leverage for climbing, no? OTOH more torque on the Alfine. Body weight would be significant, light rider w/loaded luggage could be less weight than a heavy rider alone. To me Alfine would be great for commuting but gear range is sub-optimal for hills. Price not cheap either for the slight maintenance/reliability advantage vs derailleur. I'm waiting for production tourers built to accept Rohloff/Gates.

To my thinking the price isn't that much different. Having an internal hub means you don't have to buy a rear derailleur, a front derailleur, or cassette. Having a smaller front crank should make it plenty easy to climb hills and since I really don't ride that fast shouldn't miss the taller gears of a traditional set up. My biggest concern is the durability of the hub.

You are right to be concerned. These hubs have generally exceeded the performance levels Shimano has let them out the door with warnings about, but they aren't top level durable, you are probably the best judge of how you ride. A dérailleur system is easy to fix and find parts for all over the world. Rohloff is tolerable because it has generally been accorded a higher reliability rating than dérailleurs, but harder to fix and less durable isn't all that attractive on Alfine vs dérailleurs. Personally I see these hubs fitting in for people who are simply intrigued with the idea of playing with some cheaper gear hubs, damn the torpedoes. Or for people who's trips or commuting demand a gear hub and Rohloff is out of the question.

Do you mean smaller chainring? Or shorter crank arms? You are a bit ambiguous here.

I own a Rohloff hub. Used bike buy , it was relatively cheap.. Grip shifter on Trekking bars..

last year a Brit rode the coast bike route riding one stopped by the LBS.

the issue was just a screw from the rear bikerack interfering with the chain.

Alfine cranks for those is a 45t. probably 170 ..

look up the minimum gear ratio for the hub ..

simpler way to get a low gear is a 20" rear wheel ( like bike friday travel bikes )
[example: Minimum for R'off with 26" wheel 16t cog .. 38t... vs , 53t in a 20" wheel, offer same gear-range.]


FWIW the 8 speed hubs seem fine.. just not made as an oil bath

a couple years ago a couple guys from Sweden were riding those,

they had started in Anchorage AK and had already ridden the Al-Can highway, BC & WA.

returning they were flying home from Florida.

Smaller chainring.

Follow Up....

Talked with my LBS owner. He told me that it wasn't recommended. They really aren't durable enough for what I'm going to use it for.

You want Rohloff like this one:



source (not me)

I "mash", so I like the longer cranks, but I'm not sure it makes much difference. If you think of cadence as feet per second going around the circumference of the crank circle. Then, circumference = πd = 2πr. So, as you increase the crank length, you also increase the crank circle and necessarily reduce cadence. Thus, you get more leverage, but with a slower cadence. It probably all ends up in a wash.

I still like my 180's though

I don't know about durability. I just cleaned and lubed a Sachs 3x7 Dual Drive, and at least the main assembly was very simple to tear down. Of course, the Alfine has quite a few more parts.

I would, however, be a bit afraid of one blowing up in the middle of nowhere, at least until it happened to me once. You may gradually loose gears. A normal derailleur system can often be kludged to make a single speed.

I think you should use the longest cranks that you can without causing knee problems. If I used 180mm crank arms, I think I would have knee problems. Most of my bikes have 175mm, but I put 170mm arms on one bike recently and I can just barely perceive less stress on my knees after riding that bike than I feel after riding my other bikes for long rides.

In this case I define perceived stress on my knees as how they feel walking up stairs after the bike ride.

Sure, why not. I'll send you my address.
Actually I'd love to build one but it's a little pricey for me.

Ok, until you can afford the rohloff I'd make it a single-speed. Keep it clean looking. I really like the one pictured but peel the decals and it would be really nice.