Alfine 11 Feedback

[slparsons]

Are the more recent Alfine 11 hubs more reliable now, anyone have any real world user feedback? I have an 8 speed set up I had built up as the 11s units were reportedly pretty unreliable when they were first released but could do with more gears.

Anyone actually using a 11speed one for bike packing?

Thanks in advance.

[JohnClimber]

Not for 12 months now, to much gear slippage and nuts into headset interfaces for me when under pressure.

Got 2 Rohloff's now on 2 bikes with 3500 miles on them (combined miles) and never looked back

[Cheeky Monkey]

The one I'm using is fine, as much as I've ridden it. I got it off Barney on here and wonder if it wasn't John;'s before (I believe it used to be bright orange ).

Sensitive to gear tension and if that's off tends to slip. Must admit my experience is probably limited to others but I like it

[JackT]

My Genesis Fortitude Adventure came with one and I've had no trouble so far. One of the ratios feels very spongey but the biggest problem is that I've found it to be over-geared for loaded riding, even unloaded on steep difficult tracks, with the stock 32x18 chainring/sprocket combo. But while changing the sprocket to a 21 or a 23 is easy, there was chat on the forums about torque and whether it would void the warrantee or put the hub under too much strain. So I've not tried it yet.

[barney]

I had an original Alfine 8 but found the gears weren't low enough for my crap unfit riding style... so I sold it to Cheeky Monkey

I then bought an Alfine 11 thinking there would be more lower gears, but that wasn't the case... so I sold it to Cheeky Monkey

When they bring out the Alfine 15 I think I'm just going to take Cheeky to the shop with me so we can both check sizing at the same time!

[ScotRoutes]

Those comments about lower gear range are based on a recommendation in Shimanos fitting guide. It doesn't say why a certain gear ratio should not be used. I think folk are guessing that it's something to do with torque.

I've had an Alfine 11 on my fatbike for the past three winters - running a standard double ring up front - and it's been fine. As said above, cable length and condition/radius seems to be fairly critical to getting it running sweetly. If you're not into making occasional adjustments then maybe avoid.

[whitestone]

I've an Alfine 11 on my commuter/tourer, it's about three years old now and I'll do about 3000Km a year on it.

It does seem very sensitive to correct set-up particularly the cable tension, I've found that on a day like we've had recently, i.e. cool in the morning and warm in the evening that if it's fine in the morning then the extra heat later in the day can cause the shifting to be out. The cable runs round a plastic groove before fixing to the changer arm and this groove can fill with dirt and cause phantom shifts.

I'm not sure I'd use it off-road, fine for what I'm using one for but I'm not sure I'd get another.

[slparsons]

Thanks guys for the feedback, all of what has been posted pretty much mirrors my experience on using my 8 speed hub, though not the personal interfaces with the headset thankfully.

After posting I found the lower ratios are the same on both the 8 and 11 speed hubs and the extra gears are gained at the top end on the 11 speed hub, the complete opposite to what I (we) would want.

I think I'll be giving 11 speed Alfine a miss.

[wfbroddy]

Sturmey archer Di ab8 speed IGH which I'm sure read somewhere are lower geared than the shimano units,

I was going to get one but the ebaybplace seems out of stocking them at the moment that and they were 36 hole

[Mart]

After seeing the Rohloff stand at bespoked, I agree with John
The inner workings of he Rohloff, are designed sturdy. didn't get the same feeling about my Alfine 8.
Although to be fair the Alfine 8 has been trouble free, as long as you degrease every 6mths or so