Tell me about… Rohloffs

Having my chain covered in crap is a problem. It causes shitloads of wear.

I get 3 years from a crap covered chain. Just how long do you want one to last your tight bastard! 🙂

I didn’t want to do them myself, regardless of how easy it is perceived to be.

The day you can’t do a Rohloff oil change is the day you need to employ someone to wipe your arse. 🙂
It really is very very simple.

Yes, its a tricky six minute job 🙄

The day you can’t do a Rohloff oil change is the day you need to employ someone to wipe your arse.

Mrsleffe says I have a special snigger reserved for reading this site and that comment definitely resulted in the release of another, thanks

I’ve been using two for over ten years in various bikes & yes they are a bit heavier but I hate taking my XT/XTR derailleur bikes out to get caked in thick mud.
I use Middleburn 38/40t DH (4mm) chainrings, 17t Singlestar Ti rear sprockets & SRAM PC1 chains.

SC Chamleon

Cove G spot

Marin Wolfridge

For the record my Rohloff went back to Germany three times in as many years for bearing replacements – well documented in the history of this forum. My three other friends who have Rohloffs have had the same issue also.

Bottom line is they do sap the fun out of riding a mtb offroad and are not as indestructable as some claim, but excel in other areas. I still have mine but only ride it for touring or in the depths of winter

Anyone know how easy it is to change the axle plate (to switch between types)?

Very easy – 5 Torx bolts.

Looking for something else, I found the list of serial numbers:
.
.
065001 – 081600 2007
.
.
115901 – 135800 2010

Cheers Ben.

My first hub is 076786 so thats 2007 and second one is 116531 so thats 2010. I actually thought my first one was older but obviously not!

For what it’s worth, it’s the older hub that’s been back twice for some ‘rohloff magic fairy dust’!

And another one: what does it cost for a bearing change, and how often? Have read threads on here suggesting once every 18/12, and a trip to Germany.

I believe it’s usually the hub shell bearings that can develop play and I know when I spoke to sjs about getting mine converted to disk they said both that and the hub she’ll be earrings could be done in the uk. I think most people who have had this done haven’t been charged even when the hub is several years old.

I think most people who have had this done haven’t been charged even when the hub is several years old.

What if they’re not the original owner?

According to the chart on page 1, my Alfine 8 is less efficient than the Rohloff. But I don’t notice the drag normally, the only time I think its there is if I’m winching up a climb in thick mud/grass etc, it seems to load up excessively but it might just be because I can feel the gears in the hub through the pedals.

My hardtail yoyo’d between Alfine and singlespeed until I settled on singlespeed, the Alfine sat there unloved for a few months and when the drivetrain was knackered on my full sus, I put it on that instead of shelling out for everything.

Works well on the susser with a rear mech as a tensioner, and as a bonus the solid axle has stiffened up the flexy rear end 🙂 I don’t notice the weight/balance, only time I notice is when I remove the wheel by itself 🙂

What if they’re not the original owner?

Mate of mine has just returned a hub to Rohloff for a check over before putting it up for sale – they didn’t ask for any details of where he bought it.

I’ve sent my rohloff back to germany fir a bearing change a couple of times, via the lbs and Ison Distribution. First time was completely free, second time I paid postage to Ison as the lbs was struggling (and now shut)
Each time took about 10 days in total and came back with a letted spologising for the bearing failure.
Oh, I bought the wheel secondhand so had no proof of purchase.

Just to clarify a point. In my case the hub case bearings have been within tolerance according to Rohloff, it’s the driver bearings which seem to last a couple of years. These are much smaller and similar to normal Hope type bearings from what I can make out on the drawing. The problem being a fair bit of the gear mechanism has to be stripped down to access them.

Just send it back and deal with it from there is what I would do.

Apparently, Rohloff are bringing out a re-designed hub very soon, with a different chain line and subsequently a different hub casing. It could be lighter too……….just what I’ve heard from a chainset manufacturer.

People have been saying this for years. I’m concerned because they stopped making chains, I hope they aren’t having trouble. While the hubs are very reliable, these FOC Repairs will cost them something.

I wonder if their reputation is actually biting them in the ass?

Apparently, Rohloff are bringing out a re-designed hub very soon, with a different chain line and subsequently a different hub casing. It could be lighter too……….just what I’ve heard from a chainset manufacturer.

Did your source have a time-frame? A revision would fit with the 170mm hub internals not being interchangeable with the current Speedhub

I’m concerned because they stopped making chains,

Wasn’t that because the chain machines were worn out, and they didn’t think it was worth retooling for 10/11 speed?

Wasn’t that because the chain machines were worn out, and they didn’t think it was worth retooling for 10/11 speed?

They started off making chains but there’s only so far that business can grow – likely it’s not worth the effot any more. Speedhub business came later and has grown significantly over 10 years or so.

There’s some interesting history on Rohloff on Wikipedia