[Stu McGroo]

The basic question… Is anyone running hub gears, in particular Shimano Alfine, on their RIP9 and if so do you find it has any detrimental effect of the bikes balance and suspension operation?

The detail (if you can be bothered to read it)… Already run Shimano Alfine 8 speed on a On-One rigid 29er (my UK winter bike), love the slick shifting, ability to change gear whilst stationary and, with a little experience, knowing what gear is required and able to pre-select it for an upcoming obstacle. There’s a lot of rubbish talked about the weight gain with Alfine as I proved with my build, documented in this blog w w w.wmmtbforum.co.uk/blog/?p=530 (sorry, can't insert a link as my post count is too low so you'll need to take the spaces out of the www). Things I don’t like are the reverse-to-convention shifting and the variation between ratios, fortunately both these issues are redressed with the 11 speed so that is the way I’m looking to go.

Now I’m thoroughly enjoying my 2010 RIP9 and have spent the last 2 days riding at Penmachno and Coed-y-Brenin (trail centres in Wales, UK). However, I was constantly changing on my front rings (running 2x9) for climbs, descents and several technical rocky sections where I found myself in the wrong gear without the ability to rotate the pedals and engage the correct gear in time, this slightly hampered the flow of the ride and I know that with Alfine that wouldn’t have happed.

Originally I was looking at getting a JET9 and emailed Niner asking about Alfine compatibility. Impressively I got a reply from Steve Domahidy and though he didn’t know of anyone running Alfine, he knew of some Rohloff runners “with no issues whatsoever” and that the “The suspension system will function correctly and without issue with it set up” with Alfine.

So that’s the opinion of the designer and as the design is effectively the same across the range I’m assuming he’d have the same opinion on the RIP9 but I’d like to know how users of the Alfine/RIP9 combo are getting on and would be grateful of some feedback.

Cheers, Stu.

 

[yourdaguy]

I doubt that anyone is running an Alfine with a Rip. Alfine is a light duty setup and the Rip is more of an all mountain type of bike. That said, I am sure you realize you will have to run a tensioner and it should work but I don't know for how long.

 

[JanBoothius]

I'm planning on putting a Rohloff on a WFO... and while I have no info about using an Alfine, I know it is lighter than the Rohloff, and according to the forums, the heavy Rohloff seems to please those who prefer an IGH. Not really worthwhile input on my behalf, as I can't offer personal experience, just the results of my research.

I read somewhere (probably on MTBR) that the Afline 8 has been cleared for mountain use, however the Alfine 11 has not. This may not be true, however.

 

[othu]

see here: WFO9 with rohloff:
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=684550&highlight=equipment

RIP9 should be similar...

 

[Stu McGroo]

othu That looks ace, you say you've clocked up 1500 miles on the Rohloff without (hub) issue, as you've put that many miles on it I take it you have no issues with running the hub gear with CVA suspension either?

Can I ask what tensioner you're running on the back and out of interest (I'll check mine anyway) how much chain growth do you get through the suspension travel?

yourdaguy I now see my RIP as my do anything bike (took my rigid out last week for the first time in ages, as I thought it was gonna be a proper mud bath and was not a happy bunny, so it might be on eBay!!!) but don't envisage doing any climbing that the Alfine can't cope with and as the bigger hits are on the downs the hub shouldn't (?) be affected.

JanBoothius Hmmm, done a bit of forum searching (STW, UK) and it seems that Alfine 11 might have an oil seal issue and crunching and jumping during the first 100 miles! I'll keep my nose to the ground.

The more I think about it the more I want to give it a go so in the meantime I'm gonna drop my Alfine 8 in and see how I get on.

Thanks for the replies, any more would be most welcome.

 

[honkonbobo]

Alfine is a light duty setup... it should work but I don't know for how long.

what is the basis for this comment?

 

[yourdaguy]

Alfine at least until very recently was not approved by Shimano for off road use. Was strictly made for comfort bicycle market. Someone said that Shimano recently changed their stance on this, but I have not seen that from Shimano anywhere so it might not be true. Anyway, many guys have used Alfine on mountain bikes and some have had no problems and some have had failures. The RIP is designed for the toughest terrain out there, much more severe duty than Shimano ever envisioned when designing the Alfine for city bike use. If you are going to go with Alfine I would use a fairly tall gear (32x18) so that it will somewhat limit the torque that you can apply to it.

Also Stu McGroo attributed a quote to me that was from someone else. I don't own a Rip I own a Jet ,2 Sirs ,and a One. Unlike the original quotee, I ride my rigids more than my Jet and 2 of mine are single speeds and those are what I ride the most.

 

[othu]

othu That looks ace, you say you've clocked up 1500 miles on the Rohloff without (hub) issue, as you've put that many miles on it I take it you have no issues with running the hub gear with CVA suspension either?

Can I ask what tensioner you're running on the back and out of interest (I'll check mine anyway) how much chain growth do you get through the suspension travel?

hi,

tensioner is the Rohloff DH tensioner and chain growth is not much... less than an inch I think!?

you need a good shock (i use manitou evolver isx-6 and marzocchi roco tst air) and than rohloff and cva works great!

regards
otto

 

[honkonbobo]

Alfine at least until very recently was not approved by Shimano for off road use. Was strictly made for comfort bicycle market. Someone said that Shimano recently changed their stance on this, but I have not seen that from Shimano anywhere so it might not be true. Anyway, many guys have used Alfine on mountain bikes and some have had no problems and some have had failures... If you are going to go with Alfine I would use a fairly tall gear (32x18) so that it will somewhat limit the torque that you can apply to it.

hmmm... well someone saying something is hardly proof to me... but i guess i am either gonna prove you wrong or prove you right as i am taking delivery of an Alfine 11 in the next 2 weeks going 32x23 for my 200+ lb ungeared up a$$ and riding every kind of terrain i can find.

if it breaks i will let you know.

 

[yourdaguy]

I am on your side and I hope it doesn't break, but I did feel obligated to point out the design criteria.

 

[geweber]

I bought Niner RIP with a Rohloff. Have ridden it about 300 miles. No problems other than an oil leak. I was running 32 x 16. I added the 22 on the front. I like it. Don't have to worry about what low gear I am in since I never use the lowest 2 and 14 on the high end is enough for my riding.

I took the Rohloff off to get is serviced. Put an Alfine 11 on and have ridden it twice. Using the 22 x 22 setup. I like it real well so far. Will be interesting to see if this low ratio holds up. I will try to be careful. I need the low ratio to climb.

 

[Stu McGroo]

I've decided to shelve the Alfine 11 idea, did some research and there are just far too many people having problems.

I really wanted a Rohloff before I had my Alfine 8 but didn't like the price tag. othu, re-sowed that seed and though still expensive (you can get them for £865 in the UK at the moment) experience has taught me that if you compromise then you'll always be looking at what you really wanted so I'm considering the Rohloff route. Thanks for all the feedback though, much appreciated. :thumbsup: