Coincidence or fate? Since its launch in 2011, Shimano's Alfine 11 has proven that a hub gear can also be sporty. If you occasionally clean it of dirt and grime and regularly readjust the shift cable, the "11" will be as crisp as on the first day.
Removing and installing the rear wheel poses problems for many hub riders. That's why it's the first step here. The sprocket is then removed, cleaned and refitted. Finally, we turn our attention to performance: during a test ride, you adjust the tension until the gears work precisely.
Removal and installation of rear wheel
1 Train relaxation
Shift to the last gear (Alfine 11: gear 11, Alfine 8: gear 8). The shift cable is now completely slack. Then push the nose of the shift mechanism forwards against the inner spring in the direction of travel as far as it will go.
2 Pull stop
Pull the shift cable out of its abutment just before the hub. The sheet metal arm releases the shift cable and rubber sleeve from the slotted fit when pulled downwards in the direction of travel.
3 Tie rods
Guide the loose shift cable from the top to the cable anchor from the groove and retaining lugs. The cable anchor will come out of its slotted hole if you twist the clamp slightly against the direction of travel when removing it.
4 Unlocking
Then open the axle nuts and remove the wheel. Remove the nuts and lock washers from the axle. Open the outer locking ring on the wheel by turning it a quarter turn to the left and then lift it off. When open, the yellow dots of the lock and the mechanism are exactly next to each other.
5 Switching mechanism
The shift mechanism is only loosely inserted in its multi-tooth mount. Lift off the two-part unit. Note the red markings here too: When installing, all red dots must line up.
6 Cover ring
A black plastic ring now covers the pinion attachment underneath. Use a screwdriver and feel to lever it upwards. It is only clicked tightly onto the hub flange.
7 Annular spring
A spring steel ring secures the sprocket in a horizontal groove in the hub flange. Small milling lugs leave space for a screwdriver. This allows you to carefully lever the annular spring out of the fit.
8 Pinion
The toothed sprocket can now be lifted off the hub flange together with the drain discs. Older models do not have drain discs. Set all parts aside in the correct order and installation position. Clean all surfaces carefully with a cloth.
9 Grease
Brush a thin layer of bearing grease onto the pinion seat and all metal surfaces. Then reassemble the parts in reverse order.
10 Axle lock
Ensure that the parts are correctly aligned when assembling. All red dots are aligned. The yellow dots mark the installation position of the open locking ring. The axle is flattened on both sides. The lugs of its locking nuts engage in the slot of the dropout end and thus secure the hub against twisting when starting off.
Setting
11 Reference gear
To set the gear steps, use the lever to shift to the reference gear: gear 6 for Alfine 11, gear 4 for Alfine 8. The reference gear is the only one numbered between first and last gear in the display.
12 Hub markings
In the reference gear, both yellow markings on the hub must be exactly parallel to each other. If this is not the case, turn the adjusting screw on the lever forwards or backwards until the lines match. However, this is only the first basic setting.
13 Fine adjustment
Shift through all gears one after the other while driving slowly on smooth terrain. Adjust the adjusting screw on the gear lever in quarter or half turns anti-clockwise until the lever click and gear jump are exactly synchronised: With ideal tension, the shift cable transmits every gear change upwards and downwards absolutely promptly and crisply.
The complete article was published in Trekkingbike issue 2/2016. You can read the entire issue in the Trekkingbike app (iTunes and Google Play) or order the issue in the DK shop.
You can download the individual articles as PDF files here.
