Alfine / single speed question

[robin]

Hi all my new ride is running Alfine I would like to be able to just swap out the rear wheel for single speed wheel when I ever i feel the urge with out changing the chain an chain ring. Is this possible with my set up?
and also could anyone recommend a single speed conversion kit for my spare 9speed shimano rear wheel.?

Many Thanks Robin

 

[danson67]

Quick question:

I can see the 34t chainring, but what's the Alfine sprocket size, and are those 29er/(622mm), 650b/27.5er/(584mm) or 26"/(559mm)?

All the best,

 

[jimo746]

Re:

Apart from what to do with the gear cable I can't see why it wouldn't work?
If you use a rear sprocket with the same number of teeth as you currently have on the Alfine hub then the chain length shouldn't need to be altered.
I guess it depends on how hilly (or not) it is where you ride, you may find you struggle with the 34T up front and whatever sprocket is on the rear, or you may spin out your gears too easily...
I bought a singlespeed kit from velosolo.co.uk the other year, quite happy with it... http://www.velosolo.co.uk/shopsingle.html

How do you find the Alfine hub by the way? do you use it offroad? Thinking of using a Nexus or Alfine 8spd hub on my commuter/light trail bike...

 

[robin]

Thanks . It's 26"wheel and as I remember its 18t at the back.

alfine new to me and as yet I have only been up and down the road on it. But feels good and gear range seem good enough.
I have 35 muddy miles lined up for it tomorrow night so will give it a good test. Must admit I love the idea of not having cassette and rear meck to clean up and maintain. But I comes at the cost of weight. Thats why I like the idea of being able to swap out for single speed when need.

 

[mechanical_vandal]

Re:

Going with the same number of teeth on the ss wheel will make swapping the easiest.

Looks like an Alfine 8? In which case gear no 4 is your 1:1 drive I believe so, ride around in that gear a bit, see how it feels, decide if you can survive on only that gear and if so, go for it.

Using 2 rotors with 1 set of pads will probably work fine but if you wanna make sure the braking is spot on whichever wheel you have fitted then get a Shimano centrelock hubbed wheel for the ss setup and just use a ss spacer kit and swap the rotor when you swap the wheel.

 

[hamster]

A good starting point on 26" singlespeeds is a 2:1 ratio. Try an 18T and see how you get on. I run 32/17 and 36/19.

There's not a lot to go wrong with a singlespeed kit, I've even used plastic waste pipe to make the spacers in the past!

 

[Andy R]

Re: Re:

Going with the same number of teeth on the ss wheel will make swapping the easiest.

Looks like an Alfine 8? In which case gear no 4 is your 1:1 drive I believe so, ride around in that gear a bit, see how it feels, decide if you can survive on only that gear and if so, go for it.

Using 2 rotors with 1 set of pads will probably work fine but if you wanna make sure the braking is spot on whichever wheel you have fitted then get a Shimano centrelock hubbed wheel for the ss setup and just use a ss spacer kit and swap the rotor when you swap the wheel.

5th gear is the direct gear on an 8 speed Alfine, so try that out and see how it would feel as singlespeed gearing. 34:18 would be too high for me around here but it might me fine for where and what you ride.
If you want different gearing then have two chains for the two lengths you need - you'll need to adjust chain tension in this case but that's a minutes work.
The danger is that once you find singlespeed gearing that works for you then you'll never use the Alfine again. It can be that addictive.....

 

[robin]

Re:

Hi thanks for the info.
Had a great night ride last night afine was good I liked the smothness of shifting but was running out of gears keeping up with the two by ten lads On bits of fire road. I think I need be pushing a bigger gear setup on the alfine maybe 36 up front for it to work for me. And not sure if I like that heavy back end. looking forward to paying around single speed just ordered a 16t kit to give it a try.