LaPierre All Elements Iron v Giant CitySpeed?

dubber

Gonna go for one of these two any opinions? Which has the better components (looks very close to me?) Very similar bikes, main differences are:

Suntour fork v Giant composite fork
Shimano Alfine Disc brakes v Giant Root 2 Disc brakes
Shimano Alfine rims v Giant CR70 rims
Shimano Alfine crankset v FSA 306 crankset

LaPierre Iron
Giant City Speed

droidus

Not sure which is best, but thats the first time I've seen a bike with an alfine hub AND a rear derailleur...

dubber

droidus wrote: »

Not sure which is best, but thats the first time I've seen a bike with an alfine hub AND a rear derailleur...

The tensioner doesn't do much for the aesthetics ... but I can get over that

droidus

Why on earth does it need a tensioner? I just assumed the picture was wrong.

Some hub gear threads here:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055800297&highlight=ALFINE
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055860097&highlight=alfine&page=2

Lumen

droidus wrote: »

Why on earth does it need a tensioner?

From what I recall you need one of: horizontal dropouts, eccentric BB, chain tensioner.

The frame does not have horizontal dropouts. Presumably a chain tensioner is cheaper/less complicated than an eccentric BB.

Doesn't appeal frankly, seems a bit half-arsed.

dubber

I'm leaning towards the Giant, but just wondering if I'm missing a trick i.e. are the Alfine hubs/rims/crank/brakes significantly better than the Giant equivalents or is it much of a muchness?

droidus

Maybe you should look at more Alfine/hubbed options?

Merida 18d


Kona DR Fine


Cotic Roadrat:


Bryant Belt Alfine:


Brodie Ocho


On-One Pompetamine


Trek Soho:


Cannondale Bad Boy 8

Lumen

What's Alfine hub shifting quality like compared to a high-end STI setup?

The only hub shifters I've used have been on DublinBikes or a Pashley, and they were both a bit clunky - no shifting under load, for instance.

I could live with grip shifters on the tops (or drops), but clunky shifting is really annoying.

droidus

Never used high end shifters (sob) so i wouldn't know.

My alfine seems pretty good though. Shifts quickly under load and while stopped. I have noticed a bit of clunkiness when I shift up to the natural gear (4), and its slipped once or twice in the last 3 months... need to get that checked out.

droidus

Seems to be a few bar end shifter options now too:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hiawathacyclery/2348490318/in/set-72157604007257815/

A drop barred alfine/rohloff sounds like the perfect tourer....

Lumen

Dynamic Synergy

$800. Hmmm....

droidus

Nice

Lumen

On-One Pompetamine Versa

€988,79

dubber

Some nice bikes there, unfortunately I'm limited to whatever cyclesuperstore stock though

BostonB

Whats the bike for? If commuting you might want to check which ones take mudguards. Or if you need suspension at all . Not for commuting anyway. I know discs are better but I think it v brakes look much better on a hub geared bike. Much cleaner lines. Of those two bikes in the OP I prefer the look of the Giant.

dubber

Went for the Giant ... whatever about the specs, cool looking bike in person :cool:

droidus

Well let us know how you get on. Looks the part anyway.