Shimano Alfine 11 spd Di2
Discussion
Whilst I have no experience with the Di2 version of this. Last year I did used to have a Genesis Day One Alfine 11 that I bought as
my commuter bike.
Kept it for about a month then got rid - the main reason was the weight, which is mainly in the rear hub. Any slight inclines or into the wind and you just died. It isn't so much the weight, it is more where it is.
I loved the idea of a (near) zero maintenance commuter but the reality was something else.
my commuter bike.
Kept it for about a month then got rid - the main reason was the weight, which is mainly in the rear hub. Any slight inclines or into the wind and you just died. It isn't so much the weight, it is more where it is.
I loved the idea of a (near) zero maintenance commuter but the reality was something else.
Rolls said:
Still think that a disc equipped cross bike would be my ideal commuter :-)
I am thinking of making the move to a cross bike for commuting. However, I test rode the Boardman disc/SRAM Apex equipped cross bike and I really wasn't that impressed with the brakes. I really was expecting much btter. My SRAM Force brakes had more power and better feel. I had a chat with the sales guy and he said the pads and the discs do bed in and should improve. Anyone got any thoughts on this? The brakes on the Boardman were mechanical only.
i've got an alpine 8 speed on my 'sunny days' commuter bike and to be honest i find the 8 gears i've set up to be perfectly usable. it's been set up so that the highest gear is the equivalent (nearly) of a 50 / 12 and the lowest gear is the equivalent (nearly) of 34 / 25. This is fine for 10% gradients uphill and excellent for everything in between. I have a bar end shifter on a set of drops with mine. you can see the shifter in the photo below (on end of the drop closest to the camera obviously). i wouldn't bother with Di2. unnecessary cost!
Edited by Rob_T on Wednesday 22 January 17:11
bakerstreet said:
Rolls said:
Still think that a disc equipped cross bike would be my ideal commuter :-)
I am thinking of making the move to a cross bike for commuting. However, I test rode the Boardman disc/SRAM Apex equipped cross bike and I really wasn't that impressed with the brakes. I really was expecting much btter. My SRAM Force brakes had more power and better feel. I had a chat with the sales guy and he said the pads and the discs do bed in and should improve. Anyone got any thoughts on this? The brakes on the Boardman were mechanical only.
Un-bedded they may feel little better initially in less extreme riding conditions but having experienced brake fade on steep, wet descents, my next road bike will have discs as they work immediately.
Roman said:
I have a Boardman CX: The BB5's do bed in and offer good, consistent, safe, fade free braking on long, high speed, wet descents (I regularly ride in the Lake District).
Un-bedded they may feel little better initially in less extreme riding conditions but having experienced brake fade on steep, wet descents, my next road bike will have discs as they work immediately.
I love mine, but the discs need both bedding in and adjustment. Once they are setup correctly and kept adjusted right, they are damn good - a lot better than force rim brakes with swissstop pads (got those on my pro carbon) Un-bedded they may feel little better initially in less extreme riding conditions but having experienced brake fade on steep, wet descents, my next road bike will have discs as they work immediately.
Most importantly the performance doesn't degrade in the wet.
About to upgrade to bb7s simply as they are easier to adjust.
Tbh i still feel the team is a bargain. The elite 9.0 with force 22 is a damn good deal too but a lot more expensive.
you definitely notice that there is something there but you vert quickly get used to it. it really is not a big deal at all. the benefit far outweighs the tiny amount of feeling of extra weight. you can change gear at standstill, gear change when moving is incredibly smooth and there is effectively no maintenance required - it is after all a sealed unit. for a commuter bike it really is an excellent idea.
in fact you've got me thinking now. should i have one fitted to my every day commuter bike? (which is coincidentally a CX bike although with v brakes not discs). the bar end shifter (whilst pricey) is superb.
in fact you've got me thinking now. should i have one fitted to my every day commuter bike? (which is coincidentally a CX bike although with v brakes not discs). the bar end shifter (whilst pricey) is superb.
no it does not work with a normal sti shifter, hence you have to specifically get the bar end shifter as in the picture if you have drops.
however you can't get any old bar end shifter like say for tri bars. it seems the only ones that work with alpine hub gears are
http://jtekengineering.com/barendshifter.php
can't remember the full reason now. it is a nuisance cos the jtek are quite pricey.
but worth it….
however you can't get any old bar end shifter like say for tri bars. it seems the only ones that work with alpine hub gears are
http://jtekengineering.com/barendshifter.php
can't remember the full reason now. it is a nuisance cos the jtek are quite pricey.
but worth it….
Edited by Rob_T on Thursday 23 January 12:14
Edited by Rob_T on Thursday 23 January 12:14
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