new rear wheel Giant LaFree: recommendations!

[maddox]

Folks,

The rim of my Giant LaFree Comfort has split, so I'm seeking recommendations and suggestions for replacements, and whom to get to build it.

I'm North London/South Herts-based.

Currently My thoughts are to ditch the existing hub in favour of an 8 speed premium/Redline Shimano (rationale: the existing hub was a 4 speed Nexus, once, but it's grumbly 3 speed now ... I'd rather not go the the expense of a new wheel around old hub only to have it step down to just 2 speeds next ...).

My sole concern is around the reliability of this unit (there are quite some adverse comments online eg
Shimano Hub Gear Innards
Shimano Alfine Disc Hub Review - BikeRadar
but also some happy users eg
Rolhoff vs I-Motion 9 vs Alfine? - Mountain Bike Forums

Has anyone had any poor experience of this hub?

Since the hub is new, the rest of the drive system (chain - sprocket - chainring - drive sprocket) is also best renewed; are there recommendations the group can offer for these as far as sources go?

Thanks in advance, and keep pedeleccing ...

Matthew

 

[jac]

hi if you go on ebay germany you will see alfine hubs for 79eur its just a question of finding someone who will post to uk but that seems a lot better than uk price even alowing for loss on exchange rate

jim

 

[flecc]

The first issue of the Shimano 8 speed hub did suffer some failures, but the premium and Alfine versions that followed seem to have been largely trouble free.

If you don't have a local bike shop that you are sure of for the wheel build, SJS have a good record for doing this. They can also supply the hub gear.

Chain: SRAM chains from SJS again I've always found ok at reasonable prices, two needed for the longer Lafree.

Rear hub sprocket: SJS again, full range normally in stock.

Chainwheel: This has to be from Giant via one of their dealers

Motor Sprocket: A to B magazine, £15, phone: 01305 - 259998
.

 

[tangent]

Shame you need it now - Shimano have an 11 gear version of the Alfine coming out in September, with a 400% range. It is also lighter than the 8 speed!

That would be an amazing upgrade - I may just be tempted with my own Lafree.

 

[maddox]

Shame you need it now - Shimano have an 11 gear version of the Alfine coming out in September, with a 400% range. It is also lighter than the 8 speed!

That would be an amazing upgrade - I may just be tempted with my own Lafree.

Yes, I saw the press release on that ... tempting indeed. Sadly the rim is currently held together with Duct Tape, and despite the excellent properties of duct tape & don't see it making it to September!

Matthew

 

[tangent]

From what I have read, the Alfine 8 seems a lot smoother than the Nexus 8, but some people do not like the shifters. Seems to be very little difference in price, so I would go for the Alfine.

However, I have read complaints about the Alfine RapidFire Shifter. Some people prefer the older Nexus 8 Twist Shifter and I believe this can be used with the Alfine hub. I use the twist shifter with the Nexus 8 and find it very quick to jump gears which is typically what I do on my Lafree with the assistance on. I normally start in 3rd, jump to somewhere around 5/6 after 2-3 seconds, then up to up to 8 after another 2-3 seconds. I then stay in 8 unless I hit something seriously long and steep or have a mega head wind.

 

[tangent]

I just bought a Lafree replacement chainwheel from topelectricbikes.co.uk. They had to order one in, but it arrived after about 7 days.

 

[flecc]

That's fairly quick since they come from Giant in The Netherlands, no warehousing in Britain.
.

 

[derrick7]

Thanks for the tip.

I just bought a Lafree replacement chainwheel from topelectricbikes.co.uk. They had to order one in, but it arrived after about 7 days.

I have just ordered one from the same people £39.99. I have 2 motor sprockets from A to B so if the motor & electronics hold out I should have a serviceable bike for several years.

Derrick - Llanberis