Alfine 8 Freezing This Morning

I have a Alfine 8 IGH that shifted very unreliably into higher (greater resistance) gears this morning - presumably due to freezing. It has less than 1,000 miles on it and was new in September. Please let me know if anyone has any suggestions.

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Permalink Reply by Rich S on January 5, 2015 at 11:41am

Sorry to hear about your difficulties but the discussion is perfect timing. I was on the fence to get one of the last Swobo Dixons on sale and that has a Shimano Alfine 8 speed. It was the disc brakes and IGH that made the bike appealing to me as a dedicated winter commuter.

Looks like I'll be looking at single speeds again. Too bad there aren't many that come with disc brakes and fender mounts for around $500 brand new. Maybe a Biria Tanto would do the trick.

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Permalink Reply by djm on January 5, 2015 at 12:29pm

Im disappointed by your IGH travails, too. I hoped that an IGH would be a better solution for winter biking. I barely had one gear left by the time I got home that day...

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Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on January 5, 2015 at 12:47pm

Any hub is going to shift slow and/or stick when it is this cold, even ones that use an oil bath.

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Permalink Reply by Joe M on January 6, 2015 at 4:11am

Thanks to all for your sympathies. I'm glad this experience may at least help others - but I'm still against having to maintain a chain and derailleur in freezing conditions. The IGH performed nearly flawlessly on the way home last evening over a period of about 40 minutes after being inside during the work day indicating that it will work for me if I can keep it warm overnight. I left a 100 watt trouble light hanging on the bike inside my detached garage (no heat or warmth from residence) right by the IGH last night. The hub performed well this morning. It'll cost me 7 1/2 cents a night. I think this will work for me.