Thoughts on a Sturmey Archer X-RF8 (on a Dahon Curve) 200km and 10 commutes later
04-07-16, 12:34 PM
#27
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>Fair enough. I've got an X-RF8(W) I've been riding for the last six years and it's noticeably freer running than another bike I have equipped with a Nexus 7.
Good to hear. There is hope that this hub will loosen up a bit as a put on the km's. I do about 5,000 per year commuting.
Good to hear. There is hope that this hub will loosen up a bit as a put on the km's. I do about 5,000 per year commuting.
04-09-16, 07:36 PM
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I have an xrf8 on a Raleigh Twenty and 451 wheels. Once dialed in it works well. I have found the best adjustment isn't necessarily with the marks lined up exactly. In fact mine are "misaligned" by a few mm. No slipping but I do not pedal when shifting as stated in the instructions. I also went from the stock Raleigh 46 tooth chain ring to a 42 tooth and find the gearing evenly spaced and to my liking.
Last edited by veloceleste; 04-09-16 at 07:39 PM.
04-21-16, 06:26 PM
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Hi folks.
Just an update on this. The hub went out of adjustment after another few weeks of riding. Adjusted them and now all gear (including the problematic #4 ) shift perfectly. I can shift while still pedalling, but I let off on the power. So the downsides are now
- harder to pedal than a Shimano Nexus
- noisy whizzing sound in all gears except #1 (direct drive)
My hope is that after a few thousand km's the hub will be easier to pedal and quieter. I will of course, update you folks on this.
Just an update on this. The hub went out of adjustment after another few weeks of riding. Adjusted them and now all gear (including the problematic #4 ) shift perfectly. I can shift while still pedalling, but I let off on the power. So the downsides are now
- harder to pedal than a Shimano Nexus
- noisy whizzing sound in all gears except #1 (direct drive)
My hope is that after a few thousand km's the hub will be easier to pedal and quieter. I will of course, update you folks on this.
05-31-16, 01:28 PM
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Thanks for the feedback edelay. I'm intrigued by the X-RF8 hub because of the higher gear inches for small wheel bikes but it's unfortunate that many owners are not satisfied with the efficiency and noise level.
I have been thinking about modifying a Curve D3 with an X-RF8 and Gates Carbon Drive. Do you think there would be enough frame clearance for a 12mm belt?
I have been thinking about modifying a Curve D3 with an X-RF8 and Gates Carbon Drive. Do you think there would be enough frame clearance for a 12mm belt?
I'm currently looking at having a sheetmetal adapter made (laser cut) that would let you use off-the-shelf 104mm BCD chainrings on it, which of course wouldn't work great for a folder (the idea was to adapt a cog big enough to use on a regular 559/622 bike). But it might let you do a Gates drive if one were commercially available.
Another forum member (Dan Burkhart) serviced their XRF-8 and replaced the lithium grease with ATF fluid, and has reported good success with it being smoother, quieter, and more efficient. I haven't tried it in mine yet, but I'm wanting to give it a shot.
05-31-16, 01:55 PM
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Another forum member (Dan Burkhart) serviced their XRF-8 and replaced the lithium grease with ATF fluid, and has reported good success with it being smoother, quieter, and more efficient. I haven't tried it in mine yet, but I'm wanting to give it a shot.
05-31-16, 02:01 PM
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Yes, correct, Automatic Transmission Fluid.
05-31-16, 04:43 PM
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For almost two years, I've been using ATF in my Alfine 11 instead of the super expensive oil sold by Shimano*. No problem so far.
*
https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-TL-S70...dp/B005G0BG52/
https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-SG-700.../dp/B005EPI7V0
*
https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-TL-S70...dp/B005G0BG52/
https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-SG-700.../dp/B005EPI7V0
05-31-16, 05:46 PM
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For almost two years, I've been using ATF in my Alfine 11 instead of the super expensive oil sold by Shimano*. No problem so far.
*
https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-TL-S70...dp/B005G0BG52/
https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-SG-700.../dp/B005EPI7V0
*
https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-TL-S70...dp/B005G0BG52/
https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-SG-700.../dp/B005EPI7V0
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03-19-18, 06:44 PM
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I had contemplated purchasing a Dahon Curve and doing this upgrade myself. I'm thankful for your user review. Now I know, said also prefer a Nexus 8 speed hub, to not go through with it. I had a bike w/the Sturmey-Archer 5 speed hub, and it's inefficient gear spacing & noisiness made me a bit crazy. I just wish the Curve was 135mm OLD instead of 120mm OLD.
03-19-18, 06:56 PM
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Hmm,...thanks for the info. I'll look into getting another Nexus 8 speed hub. I'd use it for my Dahon Speed Uno, which I converted to a Shimano 3 speed,...
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03-19-18, 07:05 PM
#38
Stardust
messing with big bad nut on left side changing it for Mutch narrow one, as narrow as possible, will reduce the original old in 6mm.
this will allow you go from 135mm to 129mm.
to reach 122 mm the aproach is thouger, as you need to remove dust cap and somesort casemod it to mutch smaller nuts.
this will allow you to go even further, from 129 to 122.
03-19-18, 07:13 PM
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I think i should rectify my statement.
messing with big bad nut on left side changing it for Mutch narrow one, as narrow as possible, will reduce the original old in 6mm.
this will allow you go from 135mm to 129mm.
to reach 122 mm the aproach is thouger, as you need to remove dust cap and somesort casemod it to mutch smaller nuts.
this will allow you to go even further, from 129 to 122.
messing with big bad nut on left side changing it for Mutch narrow one, as narrow as possible, will reduce the original old in 6mm.
this will allow you go from 135mm to 129mm.
to reach 122 mm the aproach is thouger, as you need to remove dust cap and somesort casemod it to mutch smaller nuts.
this will allow you to go even further, from 129 to 122.
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03-20-18, 06:50 AM
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Reading this thread has given me even more respect for the 3 speed hubs. I'd read many comments about how they are more reliable than the hubs with a higher number of gears but didn't actually realise they were also the most efficient, a benefit of their simplicity no doubt. Saying that the Shimano model is a little less efficient in the 3rd gear. Maybe that is one of the additional reasons Brompton choose their 3 speed hub plus mini derailleur setup. Interesting thread anyway.
03-20-18, 07:46 AM
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03-20-18, 12:23 PM
#43
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The German magazine "Fahrradzukunft" did two measurements on the efficiency of geared hubs a while ago. This is the outcome:
(initial test round, picture taken from here)
The second round with slighly enhanced equipment for measuring brought slighly different results:
(picture taken from the article here)
The results seem to differ from your table, therefor I'd be interested where they come from and how the measurement was done.
03-20-18, 02:17 PM
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Where does this chart come from? Regarding the efficiency of the 3-speed hubs: They have far less transmission and mechanics inside, therefor they are more efficient. Still I have some doubts regarding the chart: The S/A and Sachs 3-speed have their direct gear (w/o any transmission inside the hub) in the second gear. Therefore this should be the most efficient gear and this is true from my experience. Same goes for the Rohloff - direct gear is the 11th, but in reality the 8th seems to be even a tiny bit more effient.
The German magazine "Fahrradzukunft" did two measurements on the efficiency of geared hubs a while ago. This is the outcome:
(initial test round, picture taken from here)
The second round with slighly enhanced equipment for measuring brought slighly different results:
(picture taken from the article here)
The results seem to differ from your table, therefor I'd be interested where they come from and how the measurement was done.
The German magazine "Fahrradzukunft" did two measurements on the efficiency of geared hubs a while ago. This is the outcome:
(initial test round, picture taken from here)
The second round with slighly enhanced equipment for measuring brought slighly different results:
(picture taken from the article here)
The results seem to differ from your table, therefor I'd be interested where they come from and how the measurement was done.
03-27-18, 01:44 PM
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I wonder how Sturmey RF-4's efficiency compares. I'm happy with it.
03-28-18, 01:02 PM
#48
**thusi*st
The SRAM Sachs 3 Speed is a great hub. I just picked up 4 of them on closout (not really sure why, but hey). The Vitesse D3 uses it with a coaster brake. I don't love the coaster brake but it has a great spread of gears and rolls really nicely. Great price just now too (dissappearing very soon).
03-28-18, 02:30 PM
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As the OP has already disclosed, the Sturmey-Archer S80 XRF8 8 speed hub is 120mm. It's not perfect, but it fits the bill.
https://www.amazon.com/Sturmey-Arche...rcher+S80+XRF8
https://www.amazon.com/Sturmey-Arche...rcher+S80+XRF8
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