Shimano Alfine S700 Oil: Internal Gear Hub Maintenance Basics
By fullertonbicycle | Published: 2026-11-05
Category: Consejos y cuidado
Learn when to change your Alfine hub oil, how to do it with S700 oil, and the mistakes that shorten internal gear hub life.
Quick answer
Use Shimano S700 Alfine Oil for the Alfine 11-speed hub, and change it according to your riding conditions rather than waiting for shifting problems. The process is straightforward: drain, flush if needed, refill to the correct level, and check for leaks.
Why the right oil matters for an Alfine 11-speed hub
Internal gear hubs rely on oil that clings to the internal mechanisms while staying compatible with the hub's seals and materials. Shimano specifies S700 Alfine Oil as a mineral oil-based lubricant for the S700 Alfine 11-speed hub, so using a generic oil can affect shifting smoothness and seal life. If you ride in wet or dusty conditions, inspect oil condition more often.
When to change hub oil
Shimano does not publish a single interval that fits every rider, so base your schedule on use. Frequent wet-weather riding, heavy loads, or long mileage calls for more frequent changes. A good checkpoint is to check oil color and consistency at least once a season; if it looks contaminated or metallic, change it sooner.
Step-by-step Alfine hub oil change
- 1. Gather the correct oil and tools: Use Shimano S700 Alfine Oil and the drain and fill tools specified for your hub. Have a clean drain pan and lint-free rags ready. Common mistake: substituting a different oil weight or automotive oil, which can affect shifting and seals. Check that the oil container is labeled for the Alfine 11-speed hub before you start.
- 2. Position the bike and locate the drain port: Place the bike in a stand or lean it securely so the hub's drain port is accessible. Clean around the port before opening it to prevent dirt from entering. Common checkpoint: confirm you are opening the drain port, not the fill port.
- 3. Drain the old oil: Remove the drain plug and let the oil drain completely into the pan. Inspect the oil for metal particles or a milky appearance, which can indicate water ingress. Common mistake: rushing the drain and leaving old contaminated oil inside. If the oil looks milky or heavily metallic, note it and consider a professional inspection.
- 4. Flush if the oil was contaminated: If the drained oil was dirty or milky, add a small amount of fresh S700 oil, rotate the hub, and drain it again before the final fill. Do not over-flush; one rinse is usually enough. Common checkpoint: never use solvents inside the hub.
- 5. Refill with the specified amount of S700 oil: Reinstall the drain plug and fill the hub with the amount of S700 oil specified for your hub model. Use a clean funnel or syringe to avoid spills. Common mistake: guessing the fill volume instead of checking the service information. Record the fill amount and date for your next service.
- 6. Check for leaks and test shifting: Wipe away any spills, then ride the bike briefly and shift through all gears. Check around the drain plug and axle for leaks. Common checkpoint: re-torque the drain plug to the specified setting if you have a torque wrench. If shifting feels rough after the change, recheck the oil level and cable adjustment before assuming a hub problem.
Product facts
- S700 Alfine Oil: Mineral oil based lubricant specifically for the S700 Alfine 11-speed hub. Using the specified oil helps maintain shift quality and seal compatibility in the Alfine 11-speed hub.
S700 Alfine Oil
