Tag Archives: Di2

Trike Build Phase I: Ultegra Di2

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At long last, I’m riding a complete installation that meets at least a portion of my original goals.  It’s been a rocky journey but now I can tick off “fast, precise, and reliable shifting that is impervious to freezing” and “high quality, ergonomic shifter” from my list.  Here are the gory details of the recent build that got me here.  Once I’ve had time for evaluation and to refill my coffers, I’ll embark on Phase II—Dynamo Lighting and Hydraulic Brakes and Phase III—Schlumpf.  Stay tuned. Continue reading →

Plan B

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Contrary to my previous post, I am actually relieved to be dumping the Alfine.  Who knows if I’ll ever wind up selling the thing—there seems to be a glut of under-priced (gray market?) hubs out there–  but at least I now have a high confidence path forward.  Here is that path, with very few question marks remaining.

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The Trouble with Alfine

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My precious Alfine hub will soon be at peace with its maker, but I’ve still got some healing to do.  My experience with Alfine has been a roller coaster ride that has left me wary of internally geared hubs.  Not to mention anxious, moody, and prone to sudden outbursts of sobbing.  Combined with my DualDrive and Sturmey-Archer experience I guess  you could say that I’m thrice bitten… fourfold shy?  I’ve lost count.  What follows is my therapy.

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Road Test

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I’m still waiting on my order for 166mm spokes so that I can rebuild the Alfine wheel as a cross-2 to address the spoke angle problems of my original cross-3 build.  Apparently spokes this short are pretty hard to come by but Cambria Bicycle Outfitter assures me I’ll have them in about a week.  Meanwhile the weather has dipped into the teens again and I’ve been stuck in a single gear for my work commute.  Last night I’d had enough and decided to throw what I have on the trike and see how it works.

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Wheelbuilding

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I don’t knit, but if I did I think it would feel like building wheels.  It’s methodical and repetitive.  The end product looks good and is really useful.  It’s a great thing to do planted in front of the TV–  you have a shiny new wheel to show for your otherwise wasted evening.  Building your own wheels opens up infinite possibilities in rims, hubs, spokes, spoke patterns, and colors,  and the end product is stronger and stays truer than any machine-built wheel.

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