SHIMANO Alfine 8-Speed Internal Geared Bicycle Disc Brake Hub - SG-S7001-8

After about 100 miles, I’ve got to say I’m really sold on this hub. It’s nice not to have to plan ahead for shifts. Everything stays so clean.It’s not quite perfect though, you do have to let up on the pedals slightly for some shifts, and you may have to dial in the barrel adjuster to free up 4th gear (the direct drive gear). I also did hear a clunk or two before it settled in, and I did have one incident going up a hill where it felt a bit difficult to pull into low gear. I’m not sure if this was my cable end getting stuck in the chain or something internal to the hub as I hit the steep hill. Hasn’t happened since.This hub is a great value. The only downside for me is it’s not quite as wide a gear range as I’d ideally like, but since the 11 speed version is twice the price, I’m willing to go with this one for my city bike. I’m a little worried that I like the bike so much I’ll end up using it for everything though.Update: After 1,600 miles, this hub is still going strong. I’ve since learned that the “clunk” sounds and slippage between gears can be due to shifter cable stretch, so I ended up replacing my cable and installing an inline barrel adjuster that I can reach while riding, and this has helped.One other issue to be aware of is that the nut that attaches to the end of the shifter cable and slots into the cassette joint can wear out after repeated adjusting. I had to replace it after stripping it, and now I stock an extra.Since this bike is used for hauling, I ended up swapping the cog for the biggest one I could find (22? 23?) and this makes me spin out over 20mph, but I can get the kids and groceries up hills.

Does come with dust covers for disc lock ring in case you needed to know. Seller was quick to respond to my questions. Shimano does not include instructions, just a safety sheet. Not a hit on the seller, just FYI, you'll need to do research to get a cog and the small parts/shifter that attaches directly to the hub.

Worked as it was supposed to.

On a tandem an internal gear hub is highly recommended by many as more ride-able.We replaced derailleur on a tandem with this Alfine 8-speed internal geared rear hub and love it. It has its quirks. You have to buy an indexed shift lever with it. We ditched the front derailleur altogether, so just eight speeds. On a tandem you don't want to be constantly shifting.Pros: easy accurate indexed shifts; can change gears while stopped = easy starts; no more gear clash whilst two people are trying to pedal but not yet in gear (derailleur.) A very competent mechanic can actually swap out some of the internal gears in order to adjust the gearing spread. But you would do best to play with front chain ring instead.Cons:1. MUCH harder to remove rear wheel. Not a good choice if you need to do so for moving bike (we don't.) Gear cable end fits into small ring receiver on hub, extremely hard to move this ring by hand due to hard spring, awkward to move with screwdriver. Have to relieve tension on ring while simultaneously disengaging swedged end of cable from slot. No matter how many times I've done it still find it difficult.2. The cable tension in critical to adjust and quite fussy. The hub has an index mark viewed through a tiny plexiglass window (think Top Dead Center <TDC> on a motor flywheel) that is hard to see. One has to set to fourth gear, then adjust cable tension to TDC in order to have internal gears mesh properly. We find this goes OUT of adjustment after moving the bike- perhaps tugging on cables? And need to check regularly. Sometimes while riding we have gear slippage and have to stop and readjust. As gear slippage can damage/kill the internal workings, this is a rigorous concern!! (We also have a Bafang BBSHD mid-drive motor for hill-assists, so the quick pull of a motor assist on a misaligned hub could quickly damage the gears.) Hub is repairable by a pro, but cost would be high.3. The fairly wide gearing ratios are great. The gearing steps are uneven, with the spread between gears five and six much larger than the step between all others. As it happens with our gearing selection in front, on level ground we are mostly in five or six depending on wind and slope and this larger step is rather annoying. Looking at the 11-speed version for our next build-out.Summary: Highly recommended for easier shifting but be sure you can work with the cons. If you remove the rear wheel often this style of hub is probably a huge nuisance.