In a few days, Rohloff will be offering their amazing 14-speed internal hub to more bikes.
Three big new changes have been revealed: there are 12mm thru-axle hubs, new post-mount axle plates and a cheaper, completely new sprocket design that can be retrofitted to ANY Rohloff hub.
12mm Thru Axle Compatibility
The Speedhub 500/14 A12 is designed for 12mm DT-Maxle, X-12 Syntace and Shimano E Thru frames. In fact, this is the first internally geared hub to be available in the thru-axle design. Unfortunately, current Rohloff users are not able to convert their current hubs to suit thru-axles.
Rohloff thru-axle hubs will be available in three different widths: 142mm, 148mm, 177mm and 197mm.
142×12 is becoming a popular standard for cyclocross and mountain bike frames and is somewhat likely to be found soon on touring bikes. 177mm and 197mm hub spacing are reserved for fat bikes which typically use 4-5 inch wide tyres.
Post Mount Brake Axle Plates
If your frame doesn’t have a Rohloff dropout but instead has a post-mount brake, you’re in luck. Six new axle plates have been released catering for 135, 142, 170, 177, 190 and 197mm rear axles. That makes Rohloff compatibility much better for any frame not specifically designed around these hubs.
New Sprocket Adapters
The current sprocket style is screw-on; Rohloff owners know how much of a pain these cogs are to get off! For 2016, the latest sprocket design is splined, and all you need is an adapter kit and cog to upgrade. The adapter fits the existing driver allowing splined sprockets to slide right on, and here’s the best bit: all you need is a flat head screwdriver to replace a rear cog. Prise the circlip off and on and you’re done. No chain whips or spanners required!
Question. i trying to do some research for a drive train on a recumbent trike that i am looking into buying. i would like it as clean as possible so the question is is the pinion p1 18 compatible for use with a rohlof speed hub 500/14 the idea is when i retire to do a world tour extensively in Europe and the US of A
Hi Alistair. The Pinion gearbox is an alternative drivetrain to the Rohloff hub, so it’s one or the other. I’ve got quite a few resources here on both products, but the key difference is the gear ranges they offer (Rohloff 526% / Pinion 636%). You can combine the Rohloff hub with a Schlumpf Speed Drive crankset however, to achieve a 868% gear range if that’s what you’re after! Alee
Alee good morning thank you for your reply it looks as if the way i am going to set it up is with a Rohloff hub with the schlumpf speed drive. The one thing i do not want to do is to get off and pull the fully loaded trike up hill i can not get up because of not having a low enough gearing, l like history so places like the Barnard pass and other passes are on the list to visit
Is there a way to fit the 142mm to 150mm downhill bike dropouts?
Not that I’m aware of.
I’m wondering if this new easier-to-change sprocket can solve a dilemma. I need some lower gears and have been looking at a Pinion, rather than Rohloff which doesn’t extend my current derailleur setup. But the Pinion is heavy and expensive. So I’m wondering, with a Rohloff, how easy it would be to change sprockets and chainwheels while on tour: maybe 48 x 19 when I’m travelling with loaded panniers etc, but swap to 50 x 17 (or 51 x 16) for day-rides when I want a higher top gear. If doing this would mean adjusting a eccentric BB every time, though, it would be too much trouble. Any thoughts?
I can’t see it being worth your trouble during a tour, but it would probably be worth your time to set up your gear ratios before you leave. If you want more range out of a Rohloff, have you thought about combining one with a Schlumpf Speed Drive crankset? They offer a 1.65 overdrive ratio (similar to a front derailleur shift) to give 868% gear range.
Yes, I did think about a Schlumpf but it needs a mod to the bottom bracket, which presumably rules it out for an eccentric BB – thus eliminating many (most?) Rohloff-equipped bikes. I won’t rule it out if there’s a reliable solution to this.
This is very informative, and useful for when I update to one of these, thanks.
Meanwhile, I’m about to have a 2005 or 2006 Rohloff hub posted to me and can’t find dimensions for the axle diameter or width anywhere. Do you know what those measurements are or where I might find them? Thanks
It will be the standard dimensions of 135mm wide, 9mm axle for quick release. Or 135mm, 10mm for the bolt up.