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Keenly awaiting any answers to this, I was thinking about the same thing just this past week.
Most of the reputation for unreliability online seems to be repetition of hearsay rather than direct experience.
IrPOWERranger-
I have an Alfine 11, but it's with di2 shifting. I love it and haven't had any issues with slipping.
The only thing I have found and have never been able to get an answer on is that sometimes there is a clicking sound when pedalling, but that seems to be coming from the crank area rather than the hub itself. This is intermittent though, so any help on this would be appreciated. -
Precisely, seems like a bit of an echo chamber. This is the nearest I've found to real world feedback: https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/12-things-that-ive-learned-as-an-alfine-11-owner/
- They don’t like torque
- The Alfine tensioner is as much use as a chocolate fireguard (and doesn’t like torque)
- Develop a smooth pedalling style, don’t mash
- Vertical drop-outs are possible, see #1 and #3 above
- Get the right coloured washers for your desired cable line
- Shimano Hazelnuts are thankfully softer metal than Alfine axles (overtightening essential)
- Liquid Torque is your friend, see #5 and #6
- Looks like a single-speed thoroughbred, weighs like a shire horse
9.They are reliable and low maintenance though - An oil change after a 1000km is highly recommended. Less drag, less noise, more smooth speed
- KMC half link chains solve #2… for about a month until it has stretched like nicker elastic
- KMC BMX chain with a single half link solves all your problems.
- They don’t like torque
gt
trigs
Right, Alfine 11 - what's the deal? Have wanted one for years but have heard whispers of slipping issues and all sorts of gremlins.
Use case is a Surly Troll for multi week (and eventually multi month) #bikepacking duty in all conditions, including snow and (hopefully) Canadian winters. Am I opening a can of worms or is this secretly a wise idea? Would the Alfine 8 be a smarter call?