Rohloff hub for TD2016

[gotchile]

I'm thinking about changing out my '14 Fargo Ti to a Rolloff for a possible TD2016 run.  I did TD2015 and want to go again. We had some mud this year, but really were quite fortunate overall.  
For those who have used a Rohloff, what gearing options are you using and shifters.  What has worked for you and what didn't?

Thanks

[sfuller]

Shifters are going to depend on your bars. There are shifters for both drop bars and for regular bars.

[gotchile]

Woodchippers

[bmike-vt]

http://co-motion.com/product/rohloff-shifter-for-speedhub-500-14

[tonydc]

For all things rohloff check out Neil at cyclemonkey.com he has everything rohloff, stocks all you could need and can answer all your questions. Rohloff for the maintenance free, worry free win. Not a hint of a problem the length of the GDMBT or anytime since I've had it!

[Briansong]

Great topic.

I ran a standard "Derailleur Bike" in 2014. Had lots of troubles in the mud. I decided to ride a Rohloff/Gates Carbon Drive bike in my redemption run this year. My gearing is 46/22, I just started riding it, may want more gear can't really tell yet. I was in the lowest gear several times on an unloaded bike. I still need to get comfortable with the "technique" required to seamlessly shift it.

I also put some cool things on the bike, SRM power meter, Cobl Gobl seat post. Also going with a Schmidt Son 28 hub, same as last attempt.

[kiwidave]

My gearing is 46/22, I just started riding it, may want more gear can't really tell yet.

How are you finding the Rohloff gearing?

[Briansong]

Hi Kiwi,

Thats an interesting subject. What I am finding is that there isn't the range I expected. Just started riding the loaded the bike. There are climbs that I feel could use more gear. So, I could change the gearing for better climbing but I would reduce the already questionable bigger gear for the flatter sections. Right now, I'm geared out at about 23-24 MPH. I run 170mm cranks arms that also give it a better climbing gear. The shorter arms are better for hips (illiacus & illium) and knees, anyway.

I've gotten much stronger with the program I'm on so I don't foresee any issues by my August 19 ITT.

Hope that helps.

Steve

[gregclimbs]

since you have the ti, you have the rocker dropouts, so you can order new plates that are rohloff specific and use the OEM (not OEM2) plate which makes wheel changes super easy.

knowing also you have sram shifters, probably the cheapest shifter is going to be the gebla gearbox and modifying the stock sram shifters you already have on the woodchippers. (unless they are apex, because I do not think that gebla works with apex).

the comotion shifter works really well if your fargo is stock and has 31.8, otherwise if you have 25.4/26mm bars, the gilles berthoud works well for twist shifters.

if you or your shop orders from cyclemonkey, I believe they can sell you what you need and nothing extra so you aren't paying for two gear boxes, plates, etc.

I would get it sooner than later as they definately break in and wouldn't want to start on a brand fresh hub.

And last but not least, make sure you use an experienced wheelbuilder who will read the friggin instructions. I once rebuilt a wheel that came from a reputable shop that laced it incorrectly and voided the rohloff warranty because of that.  A real PITA for all involved.

g

[Kiwi Pete]

Hi All
I have been using a Rohloff gear hub for over 12 years how.
The pain for me is the gear range only 524%.
But the good part is when it's raining and the mud is deep   then a Rohloff rules.
I have a Rohloff on my Jones Plus but building up a go fast Bikepacking Jones Diamond with full Shimano XT 3x11


It's always hard to which to use... I started wishing I had a Rohloff hub in Africa on my 1st day off from cycling!
All the time it takes to clean derailleurs.

All the Best with TD 2016

[Roland Sturm]

I find the Rohloff gearing very wide, more than most 2x10 and similar to my 3x10. Reputation for reliability in tough conditions is deserved. Even on last month's Stagecoach 400, there were at least 4 broken derailleurs - because of a single muddy day.

As reliable as Rohloff's are, eventually you need to replace the seals. According to the folks at Cyclemonkey who just serviced my hub,  oil seepage is just a nuisance, no danger to the hub, and easily fixed (although it was $200). And by the time that starts, other drivetrains are long gone.

So Rohloff is a good choice for tough conditions, has a good range. I personally didn't like the grip shift, though, and the next bike is back to derailleurs. 

[jcluddite]

I used a rohloff on last years TDR. 34/15 gearing.  I started training on it with a 34/16 but found it geared to low.

ask cycle monkey about the new cog carrier for the rohloff. they also have a new 14t cog i'm going to try once the new carrier is available. it eliminates needing to own the cog tool($55) to change cogs.

for what it's worth I used a connex 808s chains but they never seemed to last more than 1000 miles. i switched to SRAM/KMC chains and had better results/longer chain life.