talk to me about belt drives and 8 speed hubs

talk to me about belt drives and 8 speed hubs

Author
Discussion

cirian75

Original Poster:

4,342 posts

239 months

Tuesday 27th August 2019
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After much pondering I'm coming to the conclusion that a belt drive 8 speed Shimano Nexus hybrid would be a great Manchester roads commuter

faster and lighter than a MTB and far more comfy than a road bike

and very low maintenance

I liked the idea of a MTB, ride it like you stole, jump off kerbs and bounce around, but I think I'd get tired of the extra weight and fork maintenance

Low maintenance is very appealing

Does anyone have any experience of this type of bike ?

The bike being looked at is the Cube Hyde Pro 2019, belt drive and 8 speed hub, very 29er'ish in its look and appeal

Edited by cirian75 on Tuesday 27th August 07:45

rexel1

33 posts

166 months

Tuesday 27th August 2019
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Cotic Road Rat with road plus tyres.

Most fun bike I’ve ever ridden. Catching air over speed humps on a commute in and out of London never gets old.

Captain Smerc

3,089 posts

122 months

Tuesday 27th August 2019
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shouldbworking

4,773 posts

218 months

Tuesday 27th August 2019
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A friend just got one. I had a test ride on it and so far its everything it claims to be. As I said to him, the limiting factor is how fast you want to go - the 8 speed alfine will have you spinning out above 16 or 17mph.

Doesn't have the integrated seatpost light as claimed in the advert

Captain Smerc

3,089 posts

122 months

Tuesday 27th August 2019
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Mine does , 2020 model .

troc

3,849 posts

181 months

Thursday 29th August 2019
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I’ve a 2016 canyon commuter with the 11 speed version and I love the whole low maintenance aspect. Makes for a perfect commuting weapon smile

The 8 speed hubs need greasing (annually?) but the 11 speed just needs an oil change once a year or so. Very easy.

garagewidow

1,502 posts

176 months

Monday 2nd September 2019
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shouldbworking said:
A friend just got one. I had a test ride on it and so far its everything it claims to be. As I said to him, the limiting factor is how fast you want to go - the 8 speed alfine will have you spinning out above 16 or 17mph.

Doesn't have the integrated seatpost light as claimed in the advert
It's very easy to change the rear sprocket on these hubs if you want a higher top speed,only held in place by a locking ring.
I fitted the smallest one I could to both my hubs,but you will lose some hill climbing ability obviously as the whole gear range will be stepped up.

ETA,this only relates to chain drive not belt unless there are different belts and pulleys available.


Edited by garagewidow on Monday 2nd September 14:28

Quickmoose

4,657 posts

129 months

Monday 2nd September 2019
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I've had a Schindelhauer Ludwig VIII for about 3 years now.
A thing of beauty
silent
maintenance free
Doesn't demand I wear a specific outfit (lycra and the rest...which I've 'done')

I may well concede to n+1 and if/when I do, belt drive and hub gears will high up the agenda.

louiebaby

10,651 posts

197 months

Monday 2nd September 2019
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I have one of these:

https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-arkose-alfine...

I put road wheels, guards and a rack on, and have done over 3,000 commuting miles in the last 15 months or so.

It's in bits awaiting a new BB at the moment, and getting a new chain at the same time, but it was great through the winter.

It'll do a 19.5mph average speed hour ride with 1,000 ft of climbing, with the pannier on, but it'll make your legs ache!

cirian75

Original Poster:

4,342 posts

239 months

Monday 2nd September 2019
quotequote all
louiebaby said:
I have one of these:

https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-arkose-alfine...

I put road wheels, guards and a rack on, and have done over 3,000 commuting miles in the last 15 months or so.

It's in bits awaiting a new BB at the moment, and getting a new chain at the same time, but it was great through the winter.

It'll do a 19.5mph average speed hour ride with 1,000 ft of climbing, with the pannier on, but it'll make your legs ache!
How do you find those shifters?

anonymous-user

60 months

Monday 2nd September 2019
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I have a Marin Fairfax SC4, couple of years old. Nexus 8 speed/Gates Belt/hydraulic disc brakes
Just tonight I was thinking what a great bike it is. The Nexus shift is fast & silent. No noise from the belt. Silent ride.
My favourite bike now for pottering about on.

louiebaby

10,651 posts

197 months

Tuesday 3rd September 2019
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cirian75 said:
How do you find those shifters?
It's OK, it took a little bit of getting used to, but not a lot. I like that the gears are pretty much evenly spaced, and sequential. I'd love an Alfine 11 upgrade when / if the hub dies, but it might need to be Di2, as finding a shifter could be a problem.

As standard it is roughly the same gearing as my roadie for going up the hills, but spins out at about 32mph down them instead of at 40mph.

Rich_AR

1,969 posts

210 months

Wednesday 4th September 2019
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Captain Smerc said:
I've been looking at these too. Cool looking commuter/urban bike for sure. How much have you used it?

Captain Smerc

3,089 posts

122 months

Wednesday 4th September 2019
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Rich_AR said:
Captain Smerc said:
I've been looking at these too. Cool looking commuter/urban bike for sure. How much have you used it?
As often as I can , it rides so good it's hard to keep off of it tbh . The Cannondale tax is steep , but absolutely worth it .

untakenname

5,025 posts

198 months

Wednesday 4th September 2019
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I have an 8 speed Alfine, did well as a commuting bike but you really felt the extra rotating mass when going up hill. Ended up lowering the gearing to getting a better top end, the final drive ratios in the hub are quite low anyway, don't think I ever used 1st gear.

After 10k I had to service it, ended up using ATF fluid as the shimano stuff was silly expensive.

cirian75

Original Poster:

4,342 posts

239 months

Tuesday 10th September 2019
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I ended up by a Giant Toughroad SLR2 2018 at a price I could not miss

found one the owner claimed had just 20 miles on it that had been kept in what was a downstairs toilet that had been turned into a storage room for a year plus, so in the dry and warm.

£250

Was £270 but was creaking on test ride

So possibly the crank or seat post

Pulled the seat post and dry as a bone and loose bits

When I got home cleaned out the D-Fuse seat post tube and post, used the wooden spoon to get the rags right down inside (shushhhhhh), stripped and cleaned the integrated seat post clamp, rebuilt with white lighting lithium grease and the creak is totally gone


roly79

37 posts

107 months

Tuesday 10th September 2019
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Had a Carrera subway alfine 8 for 9 years great commuter pretty much maint free with discs.
Now got a batavus razer electric bike with Alfine 8.

They really are great commuters silent pedaling and with the electric the extra weight doesn't matter.
Both are chain but pretty sure similar to belt drive