Alfine Gearing

Deezer-D

I currently have an Alfine 8 speed hub on my Badboy and I'm currently building a Hardtail Inbred. At present my front chainring is 42 and I usually do my commute (only 5K each way) in 6th gear on the Alfine shifter. I want to initially set the new bike up as a single speed and have this chainset in 22 / 32 / 44.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=20679
Is it possible to set this up as a single ring?
I would like to run the same gearing as 6th gear on my Alfine so, what size rear cog do I need?
I am planning on using these
VeloSolo Singlespeed Spacer Kit Patriot, Belgium, Germany, Italy
and
Andel (S*rly) Cro-Mo Singlespeed Cog
from here
http://www.velosolo.co.uk/shopsingle.html
I know I'll also need some sort of chain tensioner as my frame has vertical dropouts.
Another option I would like to explore is using a rear cassette and single front chainring to make an 8 or 9 speed setup. Is this possible?
Apologies for all the noob questions! I quite like the simplicity of the Alfine setup but will be selling my Badboy as a complete bike so swapping the Alfine setup onto the Inbred isn't really an option.
Any help greatly appreciated.
Cheers
D

nicklouse

yes it is possible.
see the SS topic in the FAQs

what size is your rear cog now.
and which alfine hub is it? (more than 1 8 speed).

Deezer-D

Rear cog is 18 and hub is SGS 501
Bike is this one
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/can ... e-ec016543

nicklouse

42-18

Deezer-D

Thanks nicklouse. So 6th gear is equal to 42-18?
Had a quick read through the FAQs and the recommended ratio is 33-16. I reckon I would be spinning out pretty quick using that ratio.
I need to decide if I'm going SS or 8 speed

nicklouse

sorry thought you said 5th. which is 1;1 on the hub.

just under 15T but I would go 16T. and if that is too low you can pop on a 15T.

Deezer-D

Thanks again Nick, much appreciated. To save me the expense of changing the front chainring (the chainset is brand new) I'll stick with the rings I have (22, 32, 44) so would 44-16 be close enough? Reminds me of my BMX days many many years ago!