Shimano Alfine 11 Hub Service Kit

Maintaining Your Shimano Alfine 11-Speed Hub: The Essential Service Kit

The Shimano Alfine 11-speed hub is a marvel of engineering, offering a smooth, reliable, and low-maintenance shifting experience for a wide range of bicycles. Whether you're a seasoned cyclist tackling demanding commutes or an adventurous rider exploring new terrains, keeping your Alfine hub in optimal condition is paramount. This is where a dedicated service kit becomes indispensable. Our Alfine Hub Service Kit provides everything you need to perform a complete oil change, ensuring your hub continues to perform at its best for years to come. Forget the hassle of complicated procedures; this kit is designed for both novice and experienced bike mechanics alike, making essential maintenance accessible and straightforward.

Why Service Your Alfine 11-Speed Hub?

Internal gear hubs, like the Alfine 11, rely on a precise bath of specialized oil to lubricate and cool their intricate internal mechanisms. Over time, this oil can degrade, become contaminated with wear particles, or simply reach the end of its effective lifespan. Neglecting to service your hub can lead to:

• Reduced shifting performance: Hesitation, stiffness, or difficulty engaging gears.
• Increased internal friction: Leading to a less efficient drivetrain and a feeling of sluggishness.
• Premature wear of internal components: Potentially leading to costly repairs or premature hub failure.
• Compromised weather resistance: Contaminated oil offers less protection against the elements.

Regular servicing, as recommended by Shimano, ensures that your hub's internal workings are clean, well-lubricated, and protected, guaranteeing smooth operation and extending its overall lifespan. The recommended service intervals for the Shimano Alfine 11-speed hub are: after the first 1000 Km of usage, then after each 5000 Km or every 2 years, whichever comes first. Adhering to these intervals is crucial for maintaining the integrity and performance of your hub.

What's Inside the Alfine Hub Service Kit?

Our meticulously assembled Alfine Hub Service Kit contains all the necessary components for a complete and efficient oil change, all without the need to remove the wheel from your bike. This user-friendly approach simplifies the maintenance process significantly.

The Simple Process: Step-by-Step Guide

Performing an oil change on your Shimano Alfine 11-speed hub is a straightforward process with the right tools and clear instructions. Here’s a general overview of what you can expect:

Preparation is Key

Before you begin, ensure you have a clean workspace. Gather your Alfine Hub Service Kit and any necessary cleaning supplies (like rags and degreaser if you plan a more thorough external clean). Make sure your bicycle is stable, perhaps on a bike stand, although this service can be done with the wheel on the bike.

Step 1: Attach the Bleed Fitting

Locate the oil port on your Alfine hub. This is typically a small threaded opening. Carefully screw the custom-made bleed fitting into the oil port. Ensure it is snug but do not overtighten. The included O-ring will create a secure seal.

Step 2: Prepare the Syringe

Fill the syringe with the 50ml of genuine Shimano SG-S700 hub oil. Attach the included tube securely to the syringe. Ensure the connection is tight to prevent any leaks.

Step 3: Connect Syringe to Hub

Connect the other end of the tube to the bleed fitting on your hub. The locking mechanism on the syringe ensures a firm and leak-proof connection. This is where the secure, locking syringe and tube truly shine, preventing messy spills.

Step 4: Flush and Fill

Slowly and steadily push the plunger of the syringe to inject the fresh oil into the hub. You may need to cycle through the gears a few times during this process (as per the detailed instructions) to help distribute the oil internally. The hub will accept the oil until it is full. The kit's instructions will guide you on how to know when the hub is adequately filled.

Step 5: Remove and Clean Up

Once the hub is filled, carefully disconnect the syringe and tube from the bleed fitting. Unscrew the bleed fitting from the hub. Clean up any residual oil with a clean rag. Your hub is now serviced and ready to go!

Tips for Optimal Hub Performance

Beyond regular oil changes, a few other practices can help maintain the health of your Shimano Alfine 11-speed hub:

• Keep it clean: While the internal components are sealed, a clean exterior prevents dirt and grime from entering the hub over time. Use a damp cloth and mild soap for regular cleaning.
• Avoid high-pressure washing: Direct high-pressure jets of water into the hub can force water past the seals, contaminating the internal oil.
• Shift smoothly: Avoid shifting gears while under heavy load, such as when climbing a steep hill. This reduces stress on the internal gear mechanisms.
• Listen to your hub: Pay attention to any unusual noises, such as grinding or clicking. These could be early indicators of a problem that requires attention.
• Use genuine oil: Always use the specified Shimano SG-S700 hub oil. Using the wrong type of lubricant can damage the internal seals and components. The 50ml SG-S700 hub service oil included in our kit is genuine and precisely what your hub needs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: How often should I service my Shimano Alfine 11-speed hub?
Shimano recommends servicing after the first 1000 Km, and then every 5000 Km or every 2 years, whichever comes first. Our kit makes this regular maintenance easy.

Q2: Can I use a different type of oil?
No, it is crucial to use only genuine Shimano SG-S700 hub oil. Using the wrong oil can lead to poor performance and potential damage to the hub's internal components.

Q3: Do I really need a special kit for this? Can't I just use a regular syringe?
While you might be able to rig up a solution, our kit includes a custom made bleed fitting and o-ring for a secure, leak-proof connection, and a secure, locking syringe to prevent spills. This ensures a clean, efficient, and safe oil change, which is often not the case with improvised methods. The included instructions are also specifically tailored for the Alfine hub.

Q4: Is this kit suitable for other Shimano internal gear hubs?
This specific kit is designed for the Shimano Alfine 11-speed hub (SG-S700). While some other Shimano internal gear hubs might use similar principles, the oil type and specific fittings may differ. Always check your hub's manual for precise service requirements.

Q5: Where can I find the PDF instruction sheet?
The instruction sheet is available for download via a link provided with the kit, ensuring you have a detailed guide readily accessible.

Conclusion

Investing in a Shimano Alfine 11-speed hub is an investment in reliable and enjoyable cycling. Maintaining it with the correct service procedures and using the right tools is essential for its longevity and performance. Our Alfine Hub Service Kit provides a complete, user-friendly solution, empowering you to keep your hub shifting smoothly and efficiently. With easy-to-follow bleed instructions and all the necessary components, performing this vital maintenance has never been simpler. Keep your Alfine 11-speed hub in tip-top condition and continue to enjoy every ride with confidence.

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