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The Alfine has DD in gear 5, which is much more useful for everyday riding.
Is that on Alfine 11?
On the 8 speed Alfine and Nexus you set cable tension in 4th and I thought that was where DD was, I don't like it though, 4th feel draggier than the rest of the gears on the Nexus 8 I have now and the Alfine 8 I had previously.
M_V-
Alfine 8. Next time you ride, have a feel between 4 and 5. 4 runs through 2 gearsets and so is one of the worst. Sheldon (and Brandt) have plenty of info on the IGHs.
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You set cable tension in 4th but it's also the least efficient gear - I can't recall all the details but it engages two of the internal gear trains. In fact it's so much worse than 5th that it's not usually worth shifting down, as you end up going slower for only marginally less effort.
hamrack
Thrustvector
8spd SA have the direct-drive gear as the lowest gear (ie slowest) which is useless as it has noticeably less drag and is in a useless place. The Alfine has DD in gear 5, which is much more useful for everyday riding.