Bikes with the Alfine/disc brake combo?

jonny_trousers

Just researching possible bike upgrades and I have come to the conclusion that the Alfine (or similar) hub would be ideal for my needs. I like the idea of disc brakes also, which obviously rules out the Nexus. The Charge Mixer looks great, but I really want to know what else is out there before coming to any conclusions. I also think I would prefer drop bars, which don't seem to come as an option on the Mixer.

Anyway, I would be really grateful for any input from you boys and girls in the know.

Cheers!

HamishD

I too would really like something with disc brakes, drops, alfine hub and a DECENT frame. The only one I can possibly think of is from here http://suchbikes.blogspot.com/ and they aren't out yet. . . . .

lardboy

HamishD wrote:

I too would really like something with disc brakes, drops, alfine hub and a DECENT frame. The only one I can possibly think of is from here http://suchbikes.blogspot.com/ and they aren't out yet. . . . .

I asked about this combo in Brixton Cycles early last year. They suggested a Cotic Road Rat with bar end shifters. When they mentioned it would be about £1800 built by them, I swallowed a hard jagged thing and left.

niblue

Cotic have recently started doing a factory Alfine build of the Roadrat and there is a disc brake option of that which just sneaks in under the magic £1000 mark so can be had on bike to work. I've only had mine since last week but am enjoying it so far. The Magura Julies aren't the best disc brakes I've used but there is still more stopping power then I'll ever need with 700x28 slicks. With a 45 on the front and 20 on the back the gearing is spot on for commuting, although perhaps a bit short on low gears for longer runs (I'm planning to experiment with a compact double up front). No drop bar option though.

jonny_trousers

HamishD wrote:

I too would really like something with disc brakes, drops, alfine hub and a DECENT frame. The only one I can possibly think of is from here http://suchbikes.blogspot.com/ and they aren't out yet. . . . .

That's certainly a lovely looking bike, but as you say, it's not out yet and I suspect it will be a little too pricey for me when it is... sadly.

lardboy wrote:

I asked about this combo in Brixton Cycles early last year. They suggested a Cotic Road Rat with bar end shifters. When they mentioned it would be about £1800 built by them, I swallowed a hard jagged thing and left.

Ouch!

jonny_trousers

niblue wrote:

Cotic have recently started doing a factory Alfine build of the Roadrat and there is a disc brake option of that which just sneaks in under the magic £1000 mark so can be had on bike to work. I've only had mine since last week but am enjoying it so far. The Magura Julies aren't the best disc brakes I've used but there is still more stopping power then I'll ever need with 700x28 slicks. With a 45 on the front and 20 on the back the gearing is spot on for commuting, although perhaps a bit short on low gears for longer runs (I'm planning to experiment with a compact double up front). No drop bar option though.

Very nice! I may just email them about a drop bar version. You never know!

jonny_trousers

I'm a bit of a newbie so please forgive me if I am sounding stupid, but is the issue with drop bars and an 8 speed simply the shifters?

Radioactiveman

Jonny_Trousers wrote:

niblue wrote:

Cotic have recently started doing a factory Alfine build of the Roadrat and there is a disc brake option of that which just sneaks in under the magic £1000 mark so can be had on bike to work. I've only had mine since last week but am enjoying it so far. The Magura Julies aren't the best disc brakes I've used but there is still more stopping power then I'll ever need with 700x28 slicks. With a 45 on the front and 20 on the back the gearing is spot on for commuting, although perhaps a bit short on low gears for longer runs (I'm planning to experiment with a compact double up front). No drop bar option though.

Very nice! I may just email them about a drop bar version. You never know!

It is possible to get a drop bar shifter for an alfine hub they are £180, if you speak to cotic they may be able to fit it if you provide it? Worth emailing them they are very helpful

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product.asp? ... rc=froogle

niblue

I think the issue with the Alfine is simply that there is no shifter available from Shimano that's compatible with drop-bars. My bike has a trigger shifter however I think you might be able to use the Nexus twist-grip one, in which case it might be possible to fit that onto the end of drops (I'm pretty sure I've seen an extension somewhere to allow that - maybe on the Sheldon site?).

Shimano appear to be showing increased interest in hub-gears though (e.g. the 11-speed Alfine) so they might decide to make a drop-bar STi shifter - I'm pretty sure they've been asked.

Radioactiveman

niblue wrote:

I think the issue with the Alfine is simply that there is no shifter available from Shimano that's compatible with drop-bars. My bike has a trigger shifter however I think you might be able to use the Nexus twist-grip one, in which case it might be possible to fit that onto the end of drops (I'm pretty sure I've seen an extension somewhere to allow that - maybe on the Sheldon site?).

Shimano appear to be showing increased interest in hub-gears though (e.g. the 11-speed Alfine) so they might decide to make a drop-bar STi shifter - I'm pretty sure they've been asked.

Try clicking the link in My post ^ ^ ^ ^

niblue

I'd seen the ones on SJS site before (they're great for obscure stuff like that) but at £180 I think I'll wait until Shimano come out with an option!

I actually wanted flat bars for this build anyway so it's not an issue for me, especially as I think we're a long way from a hydro disc/drops/Alfine option! Not that I've anything against good mechanicals like Avids though.

alfablue

niblue wrote:

I'd seen the ones on SJS site before (they're great for obscure stuff like that) but at £180 I think I'll wait until Shimano come out with an option!

You can't get Shimano STI's new for much under £150, and you can bet a special one would cost more, so your wait may be in vain.

jonny_trousers

Cheers guys!

Those Versa shifters look just the job, but are pricey. Still, if it helps make the perfect commuter...

Hmm. Perhaps what I think I want is not actually what I should have. It's all so confusing.

HamishD

if you drop the alfine hub and disc brakes requirement you could just get a bog standard road bike . . . 8)

Cychologist

How about this one

http://singularcycles.com/peregrine.html

Very versatlie.

jonny_trousers

HamishD wrote:

if you drop the alfine hub and disc brakes requirement you could just get a bog standard road bike . . . 8)

Very true.

vorsprung

I built a drop bar Alfine Roadrat a few months ago.

Here is a write up

http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=30836.0

natcot

I too have a roadrat with alfine hub and versa shifters. I'm really starting to love it, and am still playing with a few bits to get the fit just right for me. I'm running on one midge bars and found a bit of offroad track this morning to add to the fun on the commute and I loved it. I highly recommend the alfine, versa shifters and disc brake combination, it makes so much sense for me.

It's a bit of a beast though and with a carradice saddlebag the back end is a touch heavy

Tim at Sidewayscycles built mine, see below in his blog half way down.
http://blog.sidewayscycles.co.uk/page/2/

alfablue

natcot wrote:

I too have a roadrat with alfine hub and versa shifters. I'm really starting to love it, and am still playing with a few bits to get the fit just right for me. I'm running on one midge bars and found a bit of offroad track this morning to add to the fun on the commute and I loved it. I highly recommend the alfine, versa shifters and disc brake combination, it makes so much sense for me.

It's a bit of a beast though and with a carradice saddlebag the back end is a touch heavy

Tim at Sidewayscycles built mine, see below in his blog half way down.
http://blog.sidewayscycles.co.uk/page/2/

Jonny - surely the answer - they do it for £999, good price I reckon.

jonny_trousers

alfablue wrote:

Jonny - surely the answer - they do it for £999, good price I reckon.[/quote]

It could well be Alfa! Thanks for the tip Natcot!

jonny_trousers

Yep, that drop bar Roadrat looks like the dog's goolies and I have emailed Sideways to ask if they are still doing it for under a tonne - will report back.

Thanks so much for the tips and advice guys!

bluefoam

Felt do a couple: http://www.feltbicycles.com/Ireland/201 ... ITY-1.aspx they also do a special edition with lots of gold bling parts, but the standard ones looks nice.

Canondale: http://www.cannondale.com/irl/eng/Produ ... lo-3-Speed

Roastie

Jonny_Trousers wrote:

HamishD wrote:

I too would really like something with disc brakes, drops, alfine hub and a DECENT frame. The only one I can possibly think of is from here http://suchbikes.blogspot.com/ and they aren't out yet. . . . .

That's certainly a lovely looking bike, but as you say, it's not out yet and I suspect it will be a little too pricey for me when it is... sadly.

Thanks for the kind words.

chrishumes

ridgeback flight 04. love mine

vorsprung

chrishumes wrote:

ridgeback flight 04. love mine

No drops though