But seriously, I wish Shimano would make this information available (and if they already have, apologies)… Also I hope some innovative solutions companies (like “Problem Solvers”, great company) invents some kind of “cable regulator” that allows you do “dial in” the amount of cable pull you want, along with the number of gears… You could use this shifter on virtually any type of gearing setup.

(I’d better get to work in the lab….)

Peace,
BB

I currently run an 8-speed Alfine hub on my Fargo with a grip shifter on H-bars. This obviously requires a chain tensioner. I have 2 kinds: My favorite is a simple, fixed roller-type that mounts on the derailleur hanger (sold by On One)… I’ve used this on SSs in the past and in a pinch to convert to a SS when I’ve trashed my rear derailleur… (it works great and is super light, so I carry it in my pack on epics in case of derailleur catastophe).

But I wanted a wider gear range on the Fargo than just a 1×8, so I opted for an Alfine chain tensioner, a spring-loaded double-pulley type that enables me to use my front derailleur and run a 2×8. The spring on this thing is awesome… having a dual-range Alfine is really neat… the shifting is flawless. The only downside for me (and unfortunately this has proven to be a deal-breaker) is the shifter… I have grown very attached to the H-bars, and neither the gripshifter nor the trigger work well on the H-bars.. there’s just not enough real estate for the shifter and my hands to be comfortable, so my hands have to rest on the shifter housing, which is OK for short rides, but brutal on longer rides.

So I’m going back to my favorite cockpit setup… The H-bars with full Ergon grips, dual-control hydraulic XT brake/shifters and my Phil Wood derailleured hub… To me that’s the ultimate setup. I hope someone invents a solution for using Shimano dual-controls with the Alfine/Nexus hubs… . But until then, (for me at least) a comfortable and highly functional cockpit trumps internal geared hub.

The other thing I noticed with the Alfine hub (oddly enough) is that I actually miss the sure, tactile feel of a derailleur and cassette… In the back of my mind I guess I still don’t trust that I’m not going to trash the internals of the Alfine (which is probably silly)… the shifting is so light it almost feels delicate…I know that’s probably in my own mind, but I will almost breathe a sigh of relief when I switch back to my Wood hub.

But I digress… sorry.. Getting back to the EBB question, I’m no longer convinced it’s necessary… and I realize this is clearly a matter of personal preference. My old SS had an EBB, and I prefer sliding drops to an EBB. As for the Fargo, there are so many other solutions, including Eno eccentric hubs to half-links to chain tensioners (including the Alfine for running a front derailleur), honestly if Salsa offered an EBB version of the Fargo, I’d still stick with the non-EBB… but it would be nice to have the choice… (kinda like what Niner did between its MCR and SIR frames; both very similar; one with an EBB).

This is a great topic to debate, though… and I’d love to hear other perspectives.

Peace,
BB