JRA
Well-Known Member
Because I use a front hub motor and no PAS the drivetrain is not affected by the motor output and imitates my analog pedaling input which works best for my needs. However after a couple of thousand miles on this bike my main complaint was that the shifting was not very precise. The way I ride I like to pedal as much as possible on top of the motor so I shift gears to achieve the cadence and in put ratio that best suits my wanted level of activity and speed over ground at any given time.
Not as much of a problem in the front as I use a Schlumpf 2 spd bb drive which has 1:1 - 2.5:1 ratios and shifts easily with the click of a button using your heel. The problem was the rear 10 spd system which was Shimano Acera, not exactly the best quality components for sure. But what I really felt was the biggest problem was the cable drag that was allowing for hung shifting. I replaced the cable, lubed the cable, put on new housing and it would work for a few rides okish and then go back to its stubborn ways.
So in order to bypass the cable and housing I decided to look in to the Shimano Di2 Alfine 11 spd. IGH. If you look in to Di2 there are lots of different part numbers associated with it and it all has to work together and is not always clear what goes with what. After I got done choking on the price and complexity of ordering this system I tracked down the parts for the most part at cost, which was still substantial.
Although I have the knowledge of how to lace wheels and do most of my own wrenching I enlisted a local bike mechanic for this project because of his knowledge of Di2 and had him build the wheel and tape it. Also he did the system install which was not all that involved with the right parts but he knew the tricks associated with it and there are tricks. A general check up of all systems took place and a good cleaning which won't last long. At the same time I took the opportunity to swap in knobbier tires, 42c WTB Resolutes, for the snotty PNW season upon us and the IGH fits in to that as well as it will be less maintenance than before, in theory anyway.
My initial trial run was very positive as I found the bike to pedal with no undue mechanical resistance without assist which is important to me. When I hit the magic button and ran it through the gears I knew that it was a good thing to do because shifting was precise and the range seemed to be sufficient with a little lower on the low end and as high as I need on the upper. There is a little readout that tells me what gear its in and the shift "buttons" in the right lever are easy to get at and take only a light touch to activate. They are pretty close together and it is going to take a few rides to get a feel for the best way to get the right one but it shouldn't be too hard.
Not as much of a problem in the front as I use a Schlumpf 2 spd bb drive which has 1:1 - 2.5:1 ratios and shifts easily with the click of a button using your heel. The problem was the rear 10 spd system which was Shimano Acera, not exactly the best quality components for sure. But what I really felt was the biggest problem was the cable drag that was allowing for hung shifting. I replaced the cable, lubed the cable, put on new housing and it would work for a few rides okish and then go back to its stubborn ways.
So in order to bypass the cable and housing I decided to look in to the Shimano Di2 Alfine 11 spd. IGH. If you look in to Di2 there are lots of different part numbers associated with it and it all has to work together and is not always clear what goes with what. After I got done choking on the price and complexity of ordering this system I tracked down the parts for the most part at cost, which was still substantial.
Although I have the knowledge of how to lace wheels and do most of my own wrenching I enlisted a local bike mechanic for this project because of his knowledge of Di2 and had him build the wheel and tape it. Also he did the system install which was not all that involved with the right parts but he knew the tricks associated with it and there are tricks. A general check up of all systems took place and a good cleaning which won't last long. At the same time I took the opportunity to swap in knobbier tires, 42c WTB Resolutes, for the snotty PNW season upon us and the IGH fits in to that as well as it will be less maintenance than before, in theory anyway.
My initial trial run was very positive as I found the bike to pedal with no undue mechanical resistance without assist which is important to me. When I hit the magic button and ran it through the gears I knew that it was a good thing to do because shifting was precise and the range seemed to be sufficient with a little lower on the low end and as high as I need on the upper. There is a little readout that tells me what gear its in and the shift "buttons" in the right lever are easy to get at and take only a light touch to activate. They are pretty close together and it is going to take a few rides to get a feel for the best way to get the right one but it shouldn't be too hard.
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