SG-S700
NUNSPEET, the Netherlands – Shimano is currently on Tour in Europe meeting their OE customers for the new product presentation (NPP). Among the 2011 products, the component maker announced the next step in internal hub gear technology. One of the remarkable new components is the Alfine 11-speed internal hub gear.
The new 11-speed internally geared hub technology is part of the Alfine group positioned for sport use. This hub gear will offer three more gears, at a lighter weight than the current 8-speed version. Upgrading this group will further encourage the use of internal hub gear bicycles in the sports market.
Besides more gears and smaller steps in between the gears, the new Alfine SG-S700 offers also a wider gear ratio of 409%. The 8-speed version has a gear ratio of 306%. According to Shimano this internal gear hub is more efficient than the 8-speed version.
The new Alfine Rapidfire Plus shifters SL-S700, available in silver feature the same technologies and operate in the same way as Shimano’s high-end MTB shifters. The new hub as well as the shifters can be used in combination with the current Alfine components and will be available by September this year.
- Shimano SG-S700
- 11Speed
- 409%
- September 2010
Price: about 300 - Euro (420$)
Weight: approx 1600 grams
Gear ratio: 409%
Jumps: 2 x 17% and 8 x 13%
Oil lubrication: 25 milliliters
New 11 Gear Hub from Shimano
The German bike-magazine “aktiv Radfahren” published a Shimano news on their website today. Shimano is going to bring an 11-gears hub on the market in fall 2010. *2xUpdated*The new gear hub is reported to have a gear transmission ratio of 409%, hence it is located right in between the current 8-gear hubs and the Rohloff speedhub 500/14.
Contrary to the Rohloff hub, the Shimano Alfine (Product SG-S700) can be switched with a trigger shifter. It is equipped for brake discs standardly. “aktiv Radfahren” does not mention a price but states it would be cheaper than a Rohloff.
Following the link to the aktiv Radfahren-website, you can even see two photos, of the hub and the trigger respectively.
If bearing and packing are of sufficient quality this looks like a great hub for a maintenance-reduced drivetrain. Should especially look fantastic on a front wheel driven recumbent…
*Update*
I contacted Paul-Lange (German Shimano distributor) and received the information that they do not have any information and can therefore not give more details… So it is either really fresh news or a canard…
*Update2*
More information on the “aktiv Radfahren” site:
Price: approx. 300.- Euro
Weight: approx. 1.6 kg
Gear transition: 2 x 17 and 8 x 13 %
Oil lubrication: 25 ml
