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Rohloff Speedhub
14-speed Internal-Gear Hubs:

The 14 speed Rohloff Speedhub is a triumph of Teutonic technology--
German design and precision craftsmanship at its finest!

Click for an even larger view 189 kb.

The Speedhub  36 500/14 has a gear range of 526%, which means that the highest gear is 5.26 times higher than the lowest gear. Across the entire range of the 14 gears shifts increase or decrease in even increments of 13.6%.

The individual gear ratios, the single increments and the entire range of gears are determined by the design of the internal gear system and cannot be changed. Neverthless you can customize your gearing by substituting different chainrings and cogs for easier or higher gearing.

The hub is specified with a 16 tooth rear sprocket but 15 and 17 tooth steel cogs and 15, 16 and 17 tooth aluminum sprockets are available. Recommended chainrings are 42, 44 or 46 teeth.

The Speedhub 500/14 has been developed for racing which means that it can handle the heavy loads encountered during competition. Maximum torque loads in extreme conditions can be as high as 250 Nm on the crank (=150 kg on the pedal). This will not damage the the gear box because the high chainwheel/sprocket ratio transforms the low number of crank revolutions into a higher number of revolutions at the cog. The higher the chainwheel/sprocket revolution ratio, the lower the torque transmitted to the gearbox. For this reason you must not use a chainring/cog ratio of less than 2.4.

The chart below displays gear developments in meters for several chainwheel and sprocket combinations, with typical MTB wheels.

To maintain optimum functionality and safety of the Speedhub, the lowest allowable gear combinations are 42/17, 38/16 or 36/15. These are the equivalent to a 22/32 combination on a conventional drivetrain.

There is no limit whatsoever for higher ratios which means that you can mount bigger chainrings than shown on the table for extreme downhill racing.

Stop by our shop in Newton for a test ride on our demo bike!

See also my Online Gear Calculator for Internal Gear Hubs

Gear Development Chart- Speedhub 500/14
Sprockets/Cogs	17 Tooth	16 Tooth	15 Tooth
Chainrings	from-to	from-to	from-to
36 Tooth	----	----	1,38m- 7,25m
38 Tooth	----	1,36m- 7,66m	1,45m- 7,66m
40 Tooth	----	1,43m- 7,56m	1,53m- 8,06m
42 Tooth	1,42m- 7,45m	1,50m- 7,92m	1,60m- 8,45m
44 Tooth	1.48m- 7,81m	1,58m- 8,30m	1,68m- 8,85m
46 Tooth	1,55m- 8,16m	1,65m- 8,69m	1,76m- 9,25m
48 Tooth	1,62m- 8,52m	1,72m- 9,05m	1,83m- 9,66m
50 Tooth	1,69m- 8,87m	1,79m- 9,43m	1,91m- 10.06m
52 Tooth	1,75m- 9,23m	1,89m- 9,81m	1,99m- 10,46m
54 Tooth	1,82m- 9,58m	1,93m- 10,18m	2,06m- 10,86m
56 Tooth	1,89m- 9,94m	2,01m- 10,56m	2,14m- 11,26m
58 Tooth	1,95m- 10,29m	2,08m- 10,94m	2,22m- 11,67m
60 Tooth	2,02m- 10,65m	2,15m- 11,32	2,29m- 12,07m

 

The SPEEDHUB 500/14 has been developed for both pros and performance-oriented hobby cyclists who can appreciate it because of its reliability, perfect single gear ratios, wide range of gears, low maintenance and easy operation. The sealed gearbox ensures reliability and durability even under the toug- hest conditions. The even increments of 13.6% from gear to gear make it pos- sible to always ride at the performance peak. The overall range kes sure that you have the right gear in every situation. Pure fun is guaranteed. The SPEEDHUB 500/14 is operated by a twist shifter which shifts by pulling separate cables up or down. The indexing of the shifting lies not in the shifter as with common designs, but inside the hub. There is no wear on the indexing system nor need to adjust it.

 
  © Rohloff GmbH 99-- Technical Specications subject to changes 

Rohloff Speedhub Models: We are a small shop, and can't always stock all of these items, but when we don't have them in stock, we can get them. Click Here for the Rohloff Parts Page
SPEEDHUB 500/14 XC (formerly "CC") The SPEEDHUB for frames with Cantilever Brakes. Quick releases allow quick wheel changes even in competition. Polished aluminum RL8000 $1295.95 Each includes: 16 tooth sprocket Twist shifter Torque arm with holder Chain tensioner Cables with holders 30 ml gear oil
SPEEDHUB 500/14 DB  The SPEEDHUB for frames with disc brakes. At present the speedhub is fully compatible with most disc brakes. Specially designed 4-bolt discs (discs with min. 160 mm) are required! (Discs sold separately.) Available in Quick Release or Nutted versions.  Black anodized Quick Release RL8022 - $1445.95 Black anodized Nutted (Bolt-on) RL8062 - $1405.95 Each includes: 16 tooth sprocket Twist shifter Torque arm with holder Chain tensioner Cables with holders 30 ml gear oil
Internal vs. External shift control mechanism.
The XC, XC OEM and TS models are for "Internal" cable routing. The two cables run in housings from the twist shifter to a housing stop on the left rear cantilever brake boss. Bare cables with individual quick-disconnect "bayonet" links run to short lengths of cable from the hub. The "DB" and "EX" models are for "External" cable routing. The cables run in housing all the way from the twist shifter to a "cable box" which attaches to the hub with a thumb screw. This version is slightly heavier, but wheel change are easier,and the cable system is sealed a little bit better.

Rohloff Shifters and Drop Handlebars.

The Rohloff hub works with all 14 speed shifters. Unfortunately, however there is only one 14 speed shifter model in existence, the Rohloff twist-grip shifter.

The standard twist grip shifter fits straight handlebars with a 7/8" (22.2 mm diameter.) This includes basically all upright or "mountain bike" type handlebars, but does not include drop bars as used on most touring bikes.

There are several ways to get around this limitation however. Probably the best is the HubBub adaptor mount:

HubBub Bar End Adpaptor $54.95 This is a very nicely made extension that fits into the end of your drop handlebar. It uses the same mounting hardware as Shiman bar-end shifters. The position is quite convenient. If you wish, you can cut the bar itself shorter on this side.
	Here is another way to use the Rohloff with drop handlebars. The twist shifter is mounted on a cut-down mountainbike bar-end extension. This is a convenient place for the control, doesn't get in the way, and provides neat cable routing.

New! Living With the Rohloff Speedhub

Rohloff English-language Home Page

Rohloff documentation in PDF format

Custom Wheelbuilding Wheels hand-built by Harris Cyclery We build custom wheels, with care and attention to detail. Standard charges:

• $40 each for wheels with 36 or fewer spokes.
• $45 for 40 spoke wheels.
• $50 for 48 spoke wheels.
• $10 for cutting out and prepping a used hub.
• Butted spokes (DT or Wheelsmith) $1.00 each.

We will re-use your old hubs if you wish, but will not use used spokes nor rims.

If you bring in existing wheels to be rebuilt, add $10 per wheel for cutting the old spokes, cleaning and prepping your hub.

On-line Gear Calculator for Internally-Geared Hubs

See also my article on Internal Gear Hubs.

Cable: Oil Change

Other Internal-Geared Hubs from Harris Cyclery

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