Normally when gears wear out you just replace them, but hub gears (like Shimano Alfine) this means rebuilding the entire wheel.
Any recommendations for getting them working better without a lot of cost & expertise?
With Shimano hubs you can replace the internal assembly, saving you from a full wheel rebuild. Here’s an example. Replacing individual internal parts may be possible for some hubs, but it’s not worth the time and hassle IMO.
While your hub is still working you can extend its life with routine maintenance:
- Keep the cable adjusted. Some hubs have a built-in indicator to help.
- Replace the internal oil/grease occasionally. The exact procedure depends on your hub model. Here’s a Shimano guide for replacing oil.
How did you wear out an Alfine hub 😳 Usually those just need oil bath…?
It might be worth getting a secondhand replacement hub and giving it an oil bath & grease, or swap the hub internals with a secondhand one to avoid needing to rebuild your wheel
