Why I Swapped My Nexus 5 for an Alfine 8 – Cargo Bike Gear Hub Upgrade Explained!

Thinking about upgrading your cargo bike or ebike from a Nexus 5 internal gear hub to a Shimano Alfine 8 (or another internal gear hub (IGH))? In this video, I walk through the entire process — from the problems with the Nexus 5, to why I chose the Alfine 8 over the Alfine 11 or Rohloff, and how the installation went on my Momentum Pakyak cargo bike. I’ll cover gear ratios, compatibility, real-world ride impressions after 50 miles, and what this upgrade means for heavy bikes and hilly terrain. Whether you’re exploring internal gear hubs, considering a cargo bike conversion, or just curious about the latest bicycle drivetrain tech, this video will give you the details you need to make an informed choice. Timecode 00:00 - Intro: Why I Upgraded My IGH 00:33 - Problems with Nexus 5 02:15 - Options 06:40 - Alfine 8 vs Alfine 11 07:54 - The Install 09:11 - Tradeoffs 10:09 - Gearing 11:26 - So far … at 50 miles