Alfine Commuter

If you dont buy this one I will cry a little for you...

http://on-one.co.uk/news/products/q/date/2011/08/12/pompetamine-versa-11...

I've been doing an 18 mile each way commute on a Marin San Anselmo Alfine for a year now. It's the 8 speed hub and it's fine for everything I've encountered so far. I changed the 20T rear sprocket for an 18T as I was tending to use 6, 7 and 8 for everything. Now use 1 gear lower but still rarely go near the smallest numbers. Looking at the ratios 1 and 2 should get you up everything but the steepest hills. I do find that the jump between the middle and high gears is pretty big (67", 82", 95" and 108" for 5,6,7,8th) so I've found it a challenge to get a gear that is comfortable to spin in like I do on a derailleur bike. I expect that the 11 speed may help improve this issue? In the winter though it's good to know that the gears are protected from the elements. I only replaced the chain in the spring. I've not had the hub serviced yet due to the lack of a LBS with the right tools and expensive shimano oil.
Overall I would recommend the Alfine if you intend to ride through the winter or just want a litte less maintenance.

just had an on-one pompetamine 11 land at road.cc towers. stay tuned for the review!

Which bike are you looking at? I've been commuting with a Nexus 7 for the last four years and I'm never going back to derailleurs for commuting. The Charge Mixer 2011 looks good, I'm thinking of picking one up end of season.

From what I've seen of the specs the Alfine 11 gives you a higher top speed over the 8 but the type of bikes that come fitted with it tend to feel rickety at anything over 30mph so you wouldn't really need it in my view. My bike feels as though the wheels are falling off long before I get to top speed. 34.5mph on the flat is my record on my Decathlon Triban 5 hybrid.