UKH

A bit of rambling question so bear with me . Sone years ago ( 30 ish )a built a steel touring bike ( custom frame etc ) and wanted to have a very low maintenance gear hub .such things were available at the time but were very expensive . The frame and bits were already   Way over budget so I decided to go with a mix of xt and ultegra , at the time just about the best available for the job . Any way , On a tour a few years ago i spent a couple of days riding along with a Dutch cycling journo who had a Gucci American custom bike with a rolhoff ( sp )internally geared  hub that he said was the only one that really did the job . So cut to now . I’m looking for a gravel bike for my son ( 14 )  to commute to his Saturday job . Given the nature of the route a gravel bike is the ideal solution . However , of his many great qualities , bike care and maintenance is not one of them . I ve been looking at a pinnacle Arkose which has a an Afine rear hub . Given the price  of a rear wheel with one of these hubs the bike seems to be very good value . Almost too good . As  The usual caveat …if it seems to be good to be true …is always worth applying , I do wonder if these bikes are relatively cheap is that these hubs are sh1t ? 

In reply to mike123:

Hub gears aren't for everyone so maybe he should try one first. Is it Alfine 8 or 11? I've got an 8 on my commuter bike, it works really well and having done my research before buying I've got no concerns about durability.

In reply to DaveHK: thanks . It’s 8 . I’m fairly sure he won’t care either way and given the hammer he gives mountain bikes ( very acceptable ) the more it think about it a second hand Akrose seems the ideal thing . 

In reply to mike123:

I have an alfine 8 on my commuter. Over 10k miles on it so far it's only needed one replacement chainring, 2 sprockets and 2 chains in that time. It's had 2 hub services by a bike shop (£30 a time). If the gear selector setup is kept well adjusted, it runs faultlessly. Gear range isn't huge so need to refine sprocket size dependent on whether rider is a spinner or a masher. For commuting, I really recommend it for largely hassle-free, all-weather riding and low cost maintenance. 

In reply to mike123:

I used Alfine 8 and Alfine 11 on an Orange p7 mountain bike. Both were good. The 11 had a slightly wider range but was really pernickety regarding cable adjustment. Any slight sticking cable and the gear change became a bit random. The 11 ran in a sealed oil bath requiring oil changes. The 8 is pre greased and requires occasional re greasing. Not difficult but scope to go wrong!

A lot of gravel bikes use a single chain ring at front and 10 or 11 speed cassette at rear. Generally these would have a wider gear range than an alfine. Derailleur set ups aren't that hard to maintain and it could be a touch lighter in weight. Either way, Pinnacle bikes are good value.

Good on your son for getting a Saturday job.

In reply to mike123:

The biggest issue I have with the Alfine is that there's a limit to the amount of torque it can safely handle, and its lack of low gearing.

As a larger gentleman living in a very hilly area, this rules it out for me.

For someone lighter, or in a flatter area, there shouldn't be any issues.

In reply to RankAmateur:

I think Shimano recommend something like a 38 minimum size front sprocket.

On my mtb I used 32 which enabled me to get up some decent hills. Got left behind on the flat of course.

Front sprocket size could be tailored to terrain or rider fitness. Agree that a big strong rider mashing away would probably over stress the hub.

In reply to mike123:

I have had a Shimano Alfine 8 as my commuter for over 10 years.  I take it to my bike shop for an annual dip in an oil bath and to tension the chain (which gets done by playing around with an eccentric bottom bracket.)  It has been 100% percent reliable and I live in Sheffield which for a city, has some pretty big hills and it copes absolutely fine.  It is maintenance-free apart from that.  Disadvantages would be:

1.  It is heavy, compared to a more conventional set of sprockets.

2.  I am convinced it is an inefficient converter of effort into forward motion.  Maybe I am just old and unfit but everybody seems to be able to overtake me.

3.  Instead of a quick-release skewer to release the rear wheel, there are two chrome nuts, so I need to carry a full-size spanner with me, in case of a puncture.

Overall, I think it is a finely balanced thing whether I would buy another one or just go for a derailleur and cassette, especially now that you can get such a large range of gears that way.