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are we in a catch 22, where the price point won't come down until people start buying them, but people won't start buying them until they come down in price.
I've only started this thread as I have bike envy, as I wanted a Day One Alfine 8spd, recommended it to a friend who brought it, and now I want one for myself, and the options apart from the day one, aren't great.
BMC, entry level is £1250, already £250 more than the Day One, and it's belt drive. as are it's more expensive siblings which retail at £1500 and £1900 for Alfine 11spd
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bmc/alpenchallenge-ac02-alfine-8-2015-hybrid-bike-ec072466#features
Norco Indie £750, though it does look like a bit of a jump bike
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/norco/indie-alfine-8-2015-hybrid-bike-ec075293
Creme Ristretto Doppio £1299
http://cremecycles.com/ristretto-doppio,50,pl.html
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/creme-ristretto-doppio-bike-2015/rp-prod124533
or the Creme Tempo Doppio £799 which looks like the same bike but with a rear rack rather than a front one
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/creme-tempo-doppio-bike-2015/rp-prod124534
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cornelius_blackfoot
I agree entirely - they problem is these people buy on price, and when you put a cheaper eight speed index system next to the alfine bike, guess which one they choose? In the UK we like to feel like we save money now, not hypothetically in the future when the cost of ownership of the Alfine dips below the cheaper traditional system.
As above - wide ratio IGHs are interesting and excellent, but in the UK they can't flourish because non-cyclists won't buy them and cyclists think they are cool but don't need them :)
I do have Rohloff lust, BTW - one day...
Interestingly though, they may have a brighter future here in the UK via e-bikes? Just a thought.