On the same theme, I have converted my existing VN Amazon winter commuter to Alfine 11 speed after 3 gritty winters using an Ultegra triple 52/39/30 and 12-27 hub, wearing out a rear mech, 2 cassettes, 4 chains, one rear rim and a chainring in the process. PlanetX/On One are offering the Alfine 11 speed plus Versa 11 speed shifters for a knockdown price of £399 so I went to for it.
Another order for 280mm spokes was make on the same day. Chainreaction had the BB7 road version brake on special offer and their discount on the 39 tooth Alfine Chainset was very favourable. I decided to go for the disc brake because the existing canti interferes with the fitting of my rear rack (in case I want to carry heavier loads) and also to the save on replacing rear rims being destroyed by winter grit and rim brakes.
All the kit duly arrived from the various sources and, being on leave, I set to work.
Building up the wheel was an easy 40 minute job - good tools make all the difference (Park jig and spoke tension meter) The rest took a little longer but I eventually got it all done...
No Eccentric bottom bracket on my frame but the Alfine chain tensioner is fine and does not add anything to chain resistance the way it is used - bolted in place just to take up the slack. I did have to file an edge of it away and respray it to clear the right mudguard stay bolt.
The disc brake was quite easy to fit - just had to put a slight bend in the mudguard stay to clear it.
The Versa shifter seem to work well - a little "clunkier" than the Ultegra it replaces but it seems to provide easy and positive shifting - less effort than the Rohloff. An initial spin around the block showed promise - will test it on a commute next week.
For the price, the hub seems well built and solid. Gear range is about right with 39x20 (27"-113") as opposed to the 31"-118" gear train it has replaced. Time will tell once the miles build up. Will I regret not paying almost double for the Rohloff?? I hope not! I will have to invest in a spare 17mm spanner to go in the saddlebag in case of (thankfully very rare) punctures.