Yesterday was my irst off road trip with the new Shimano Alfine hub, mounted to my Niner Sir9, which provides the perfect platform for the hub, as the EBB solves the chain tension problem.
On the Niner you are able to run only the inner cable from the cable stop at the headtube till the hub, so no unnecessary friction.
For the record, this is no racing hub, IMHO. The engagement is not on par with a cassette/freewheel wheel, after coasting it takes some time fo the hub to engage, which is no problem, as long as you have no problems with that.
We did a 50 km trip on fairly flat terrain, so shifting was mainly between 4, 5 and 6 and some lower and higher shifts on the small climbs and some descends.
As there was quite some singletrack I shifted between 4, 5 and 6 frequently. During the trip I had to readjust the cable some times, as it was the first ride after mounting it on the bike and the cable had to set a little.
Shifting is quick, but you have to get used to taking of power of the pedals, as this hub is not made to shift under power, but that is the case with most hubs out there.
Great thing is you can shift while coasting, which is great after bad anticipating a sharp turn; shifting in the corner and have the right,lower gear to handle a climb, hole, etc.
Problem with the Nexus hub has sometimes be the interface between hub abd cog, and as this is not changed for the Alfine time will show how it holds up.
The good and the bad:
+ Clean looks and function
+ great shifter cable routing
+ Centerlock Disc mount (personal)
+ Great shifter, although the feel is a little 'indirect'
+ easy setup
- weight compared to rear der/cassete setup (?)
- harder to service in the field (more tools needed when cables looses up)
It is hard to say anything on durability, time will tell.
For me it is a keeper for now. Will try to make some more miles on it so I will see how it holds up.
Some pics:
JJ
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