Shimano Alfine 8 SG-S7001-8 Internal Gear Hub – Center Lock, black, 32H
The Shimano Alfine 8 SG-S7001-8 is a robust 8-speed internal gear hub: eight gears inside a sealed shell, simple to set up and tough enough for years of daily riding. It costs less than the Alfine 11 and needs no oil change – a perfect base for a no-nonsense belt-drive city bike.
Why the Alfine 8?
8 gears, sealed. Eight well-chosen steps with a 307 % range – from a steady climb to a fast tailwind on the flat. Mud, salt and rain stay outside. 
Shift at standstill. Change gear at the lights without pedalling – simple shifting with one lever. 
Belt-drive ready. A straight drivetrain line for a Gates belt, or a long-lasting chain. 
No oil change. The internal mechanism is grease-lubricated. Instead of an oil change it gets an occasional oil-dip service, which our workshop does with the Shimano maintenance oil set. 
Center Lock disc. Takes standard Shimano Center Lock disc rotors. 
E-bike approved. Shimano approves the SG-S7001-8 for e-bike use within its specification.
Reliability over the last few percent
The Alfine 8 is the hub that made internal gears popular again on modern bikes. It is made for city, commuter and light touring bikes where reliability matters more than the widest possible range.
There is nothing to clean or adjust on the way to work – and nothing to snag when the bike is locked up in a crowded rack.
Who is it for?
- Everyday riders. A clean, quiet drivetrain with almost no maintenance.
- Belt-drive city builds. Flat or rolling terrain, all year round.
- Riders leaving derailleurs behind. One lever, eight gears, no chain falling off.
- Fleet and e-bike builds. Within Shimano's approved specification.
Specifications
| Model | Shimano Alfine SG-S7001-8 |
|---|---|
| Gears | 8 |
| Gear range | 307 % |
| Lubrication | Grease; oil-dip service with Shimano maintenance oil |
| Brake mount | Center Lock disc |
| Rear spacing (OLD) | 135 mm |
| Axle | 10 mm bolt-on |
| Spoke holes | 32 |
| Colour | Black |
| Shifter | SL-S7000-8 Rapidfire Plus (8-speed) |
| E-bike | Approved by Shimano |
| In the box | Hub |
Alfine 8 or Alfine 11?
| Gears | Alfine 8: 8 – Alfine 11: 11 |
|---|---|
| Gear range | Alfine 8: 307 % – Alfine 11: 409 % |
| Lubrication | Alfine 8: grease, occasional oil-dip service – Alfine 11: oil bath, oil change every 5,000 km or 2 years |
| Shifter | Alfine 8: SL-S7000-8 – Alfine 11: SL-S700 |
| Best for | Alfine 8: city, commuting, rolling terrain – Alfine 11: touring, hills, gravel, loaded bikes |
Frequently asked questions
Alfine 8 or Alfine 11?
Choose the Alfine 8 for simple, low-cost reliability on mostly flat or rolling routes. Choose the Alfine 11 for long climbs, loaded touring or when you want the widest range.
Which shifter does it need?
The SL-S7000-8 Rapidfire Plus shifter. The 11-speed SL-S700 does not work with this hub.
Does it work with a belt drive?
Yes, with a belt-compatible frame and a Gates sprocket for Shimano 3-lobe hubs.
How is it serviced?
With an occasional oil-dip service: the internal unit is removed and dipped in Shimano maintenance oil. We use the Y0029801A oil set in our workshop.
About Shimano
Shimano was founded in 1921 in Sakai, Japan, as a one-man workshop making freewheels. Today it is the world's largest maker of bicycle components, and its standards – Center Lock rotors, Hollowtech cranks, Rapidfire shifters, mineral-oil hydraulic brakes – are what most bikes are built around.
At BoodaBike we use Shimano internal gear hubs and hydraulic brakes on our own belt-drive bikes, and we stock the service parts we use in our own workshop.