mtb101
Likes Bikes and Dirt
Hi all, well after riding a Single Speed Rigid for the last 18 months (Single Track/Bike Path commute), I decided to do an upgrade. Single speed was/is awesome but for my commute 20-30k a day, I was either too slow on the flat (spinning out) or it was too tough on the single track climbs - to the point where I tore a link in half. I use the commute as a training ride, so it aren't a leisurely cruise home, I also take any single track I can find just to keep the enjoyment levels up. I try and keep my average above 20kph. And my ascent is around 300m for commute by the time you take in some single track climbs.
Tried different combinations of gearing 33:20 (good on climbs but would spin out at about 26k on flat), 33:18 (ok on flat, but too tough on climbs). And when I say tough, I can cope with climbing in a hard gear, but know it's not ideal gear training wise.
So enter the 8 Speed Shimano Alfine Internal Hub (with Sun EQ25 Rim), new paint job on frame ... black of course got sick of the funny safari suit style paint job bike came with. One issue I had was getting the chain line right, had to turn rear cog around so it would line up with front chain ring. Also had to put small dings in frame to accommodate large 38 cog and chain line.
I have 38:20 gearing, so far it's the perfect combination of gearing 4th gear is 1:1 ratio and that's fine on the flat so that leaves me with enough climbing (3) and top end gears (4). Climbing in 1 feels like middle ring and maybe 1 down so like 32:32 - so still a good workout on climbs. Top end gear feels like your typical middle ring to the smallest gear, so it's fine.
Hub operation is smooth and silent like a single speed, gear changes are exact and snappy. Changing up under load is pretty much immediate although on a big climb there's a slight delay. But you can change under load which is nice. Changing a flat could be a bit of a hassle, have to carry a 14mm spanner and cable can be tricky to reconnect, but Stan's is doing the job of keeping punctures away so should be ok.
Hub + kit, Sun rim, DT spokes, build cost around $400 all up.
Before & After:
Before ....
After ....
Ready for morning commute:
Black:
Ready for morning commute 2:
Shimano Alfine 8 Speed IGH:
Tried different combinations of gearing 33:20 (good on climbs but would spin out at about 26k on flat), 33:18 (ok on flat, but too tough on climbs). And when I say tough, I can cope with climbing in a hard gear, but know it's not ideal gear training wise.
So enter the 8 Speed Shimano Alfine Internal Hub (with Sun EQ25 Rim), new paint job on frame ... black of course got sick of the funny safari suit style paint job bike came with. One issue I had was getting the chain line right, had to turn rear cog around so it would line up with front chain ring. Also had to put small dings in frame to accommodate large 38 cog and chain line.
I have 38:20 gearing, so far it's the perfect combination of gearing 4th gear is 1:1 ratio and that's fine on the flat so that leaves me with enough climbing (3) and top end gears (4). Climbing in 1 feels like middle ring and maybe 1 down so like 32:32 - so still a good workout on climbs. Top end gear feels like your typical middle ring to the smallest gear, so it's fine.
Hub operation is smooth and silent like a single speed, gear changes are exact and snappy. Changing up under load is pretty much immediate although on a big climb there's a slight delay. But you can change under load which is nice. Changing a flat could be a bit of a hassle, have to carry a 14mm spanner and cable can be tricky to reconnect, but Stan's is doing the job of keeping punctures away so should be ok.
Hub + kit, Sun rim, DT spokes, build cost around $400 all up.
Before & After:
Before ....
After ....
Ready for morning commute:
Black:
Ready for morning commute 2:
Shimano Alfine 8 Speed IGH:
