Microshift SB-N080 Drop Bar Shifter Set for Shimano Alfine 8
The microSHIFT SB-N080 is an integrated drop bar shift and brake lever set designed specifically for the Shimano Alfine 8 internal gear hub. Shift and brake from the hoods like on a road or gravel bike – and keep the simple, sealed, low-maintenance gear hub.
Why the microSHIFT SB-N080?
Matches the Alfine 8 cable pull. Connects directly to the hub, without any adapter in the cable line.
Shift and brake from the hoods. No more taking a hand off the brake to change gear.
Separate up- and downshift controls. Every shift clear and deliberate.
Clean 1× cockpit. The left lever is a brake lever only.
Long service life. Cold forged brake levers, external cable routing, replaceable hood covers and face plates.
How the system fits together
- Left lever: brake lever only, no shifting function, for a clean 1× cockpit.
- Right lever: shifting plus the second brake.
- The shift cable runs from the right lever to the Shimano Alfine 8 hub.
- The left lever pulls one mechanical (cable-operated) road brake.
- The right lever pulls the other mechanical road brake.
The controls on the right lever
- Brake lever.
- Shift paddle behind the brake lever.
- Thumb button on the inside of the hood.
What problem does it solve?
Shimano's own mechanical Alfine 8 shifters are made for flat handlebars. With drop bars, gear hub riders usually have to settle for bar-end shifters or a flat-bar shifter clamped onto the bar – and take a hand off the brake every time they shift. With the SB-N080, shifting and braking happen at the same place.
Who is it for?
- Commuters, tourers and gravel riders. A Shimano Alfine 8 hub and a preference for drop bars.
- Flat-bar conversions. Anyone converting an Alfine 8 bike to a drop bar cockpit.
- Belt drive bikes. A gear hub with drop bars is a quiet, clean, all-weather setup.
- Long rides. More hand positions without giving up the gear hub.
Compatibility
| Model | microSHIFT SB-N080 |
|---|---|
| Hub | Shimano Alfine 8 with mechanical (cable) shifting; for Alfine 11 choose the microSHIFT SB-N110 |
| Brakes | Mechanical road-pull brakes – cable disc brakes or road caliper brakes; not for hydraulic brakes |
| Drivetrain | Single chainring (1×) – the left lever has no shifting |
| Set | Pair – right: shifter and brake lever, left: brake lever only |
| Colour | Black |
| Cable routing | External |
| Brake reach | Standard |
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a cable-pull adapter for the Alfine 8 with the SB-N080?
No. The SB-N080 is designed for the Alfine 8 cable pull and connects directly to the hub.
Are brake calipers included?
No. This is the lever pair only. The matching mechanical caliper is the Tektro MD-C550, sold per piece in our shop – you need two (front and rear). The flat-mount adapters are sold separately: a front adapter (140/160 mm), and at the rear an adapter only for a 160 mm rotor.
Can I use it with hydraulic disc brakes?
No. The levers are for cable-operated road brakes.
Alfine 8 or Alfine 11 version?
Choose the version that matches your hub – the cable pull of the two hubs is different. For Alfine 11 hubs use the microSHIFT SB-N110.
Can you install it for me?
Yes. Booda Bike is a gear hub and belt drive specialist workshop in Budapest – we can fit the levers, cables and bar tape and set up the Alfine 8 shifting for you.
About microSHIFT
microSHIFT (AD-II Engineering Inc.) has been designing and refining bicycle drivetrains since 1999 – shifters, derailleurs, cassettes and cranksets for mountain, gravel, utility and road bikes. Its engineering and manufacturing teams work with their own specialised machinery and facilities in Taiwan and China.
Its philosophy, "technology for all", is that useful features should not be reserved for the most expensive groupsets: reliable products, packed with as many practical features as possible. That is why microSHIFT is one of the few makers of integrated drop bar shifters for Shimano internal gear hubs.