Shimano

Comments:

I purchased an Electra Townie 21D and replaced the rear derailer 7sp hub with an Alfine 11. I kept the front derailer with 3 chainrings (28T, 38T, 48T) giving me 33 speeds. With a 22T sprocket on the Alfine, that makes gear inch values of 17-72, 24-98, and 30-124. I find I can leave the front D on any chainring and ride just shifting with the Alfine. The Alfine hub is very smooth, solid and easy shifting with a wide gear range. I change to the smaller chainring for hilly country and on the open road I use the large chainring. The middle chainring is quite useable for city / mixed riding. The sum is an easy shifting setup with fairly good gears for any terrain IMHO. Note: if I was going to use a single chainring, I would go with a 1.6 ratio such as 36T/23T because that gives 21-87 gear inches which is almost exactly the same as the original 21D gears. I do not agree with Shimano's recommended 1.9 ratio as that makes some too tall gears for my comfort level.

Comments:

This hub when coupled with a lower gear ratio has allowed my wife to tackle steep hills successfully. It changes up and down very quickly and gives her confidence. The bike is a pleasure to ride. I do wonder at the recommended limits for the front chain ring when combined with a 20 tooth rear sprocket. I was only able to use 11 th gear down a hill. This hub is very quiet in operation when both under load and changinging gear. I did not notice any clicking noises in any gear but I've yet to ride it any distance as the hub has just been fitted.