Jeff Grippe said:Could you folks share your experiences with the Rohloff Speed Hub. I'm
considering replacing my 3x7 gears on my trike with a Rohloff and two chain
rings. The two chain rings would be the upper and lower limits that the
Speedhub can accomodate.
Quoted message said:Failing anyone with real experience I'd also be curious to know what people
have heard.
I've not had hundreds of miles experience with them, but I've ridden a
couple of Rohloff-d bikes on test rides (a Birdy Grey and a custom
build, both uprights).
First observation of the unit in action, you have to like twist grip
shifting. I prefer bar ends and triggers but twisters are okay by me,
but my Other Half ruled out a Rohloff primarily on not liking the twist
grip as much as anything else.
Second observation, the jumping Gotcha between 7 and 8 under heavy load
is not really a great problem, and not any worse than I've had on the
Sachs 3 speed on the Brompton. As long as you're aware of it it
shouldn't be a limitation in action, I'd think.
Third observation, if you like the silent gliding of a well tuned fixie
then the various ticks you get from different gears may drive you up the
wall. It isn't completely silent. Not a major problem in terms of
mechanics, but the sort of thing that if it annoys you it will annoy you
and after paying a big price too.
The shifting does pretty much what it says on the tin. It works, and
works well. From what I hear from the Ben at Kinetics who deals with
them, maintenance is basically a non-issue beyond a periodic oil change.
Ben's custom uber-commuter used a Schlumpf rather than a second chain
ring. This makes more sense to me, as part of the reason to get a
Rohloff is get rid of all that nasty chain-line changing and the basic
mess and fuss of derailleurs. Beyond that, the Rohloff gives you a big
range anyway, and you may well be fine with it just on a single
chainwheel. I'm considering one for the Streetmachine, and it should
give me the 19" to 100" gears that should do me for everything I need.
Very, very expensive though, which is why I don't have one, and if I do
get one it'll be a present to myself sort of purchase (the big four oh
in 15 months, possibly...)
Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/
