Rohloff hub

[Simoto123]

Hi, was informed today that I need another driveline refresh. Chain and cassette. I always feel compelled(fussy) to fit Oe parts. Quote is hundreds and after briefly considering cheaper/heavier parts I decided a Rohloff is the way forward.
I have covered over 2k miles in 6 months. Mostly grinding fitness miles on cycle paths and northern England muddy trails and fire roads. Going to keep going through winter too, so it’s almost a no brainier at these prices. Could easy do a grand a year. Smash a mech and it’s gonna get ruinous.
My request is this, has anyone UK side done this conversion on an 18 Levo S-Works, if so would you consider doing a bro a solid and walking me through the process.? Won’t waste anyone’s time, mind is made up. No install instructions are required as I’ll let the lbs do the work for the guarantee(unless it’s foolproof). Just hoping for a detailed parts list for my bike and any salient tips/info.
Cheers for reading.

 

[wepn]

Not in the UK but hopefully the following notes from my faultless install by Rohloff AU engineer &
chief, Paul Moir and Spesh LBS, Just Ride Nerang, will be helpful. Depending on the size of your frame, there may be variations but Kenevo & Levo installs seem to be similar. Still I’d check with Rohloff UK.

Left hand adaptor/spacer required for the Kenevo, same for Turbo Levo. The red is the standard adaptor supplied with the Rohloff Speedhub and the blue represents 8 x 0.5mm shims, also supplied. Having 8 little 0.5mm shims out on the trail not ideal if the worst happens and you need to remove the wheel due to a puncture or some other issue (rare, but it does happen).

So we had a custom adaptor made up so it is the same as the standard red adaptor with the extra length of 8 x 0.5mm shims (the blue... see drawing attached). Therefore no loose shims to misplace or lose out on the trail.

 

[wepn]

Also the Rohloff has dual shift cables so cable space is tight. This makes removing & replacing the battery a bit more of a precision manoeuvre. My solution was to replace the Wu post with a wireless one. I considered the Magura Vyron but the RS Reverb AXS 150 was 34.9 mm ø so went with that.

 

[jsalas2]

Same info

 

[wepn]

 

[Simoto123]

Thankyou very much for the kind replies and detailed info. Slightly more complicated than I imagined but nothing seems insurmountable. I imagine the bill might be, but in for a penny, in for a pound eh.
Thanks again

 

[wepn]

Thankyou very much for the kind replies and detailed info. Slightly more complicated than I imagined but nothing seems insurmountable. I imagine the bill might be, but in for a penny, in for a pound eh.
Thanks again

Also 1st gear isn't granny gear, it's great, great grandma gear so I think I'll swap to a 15T sprocket at the back & if that's not enough, to the steepest possible with the chain guide, 36T up front.

OTOH I haven't tried climbing 30%+ inclines yet though I totally flew up loose rock at 26% in 5th and 6th gear.

 

[thebarber]

What rear wheel spacing is levo, kenevo?

 

[khorn]

What rear wheel spacing is levo, kenevo?

148 boost

Karsten

 

[thebarber]

Are most bikes that now?

 

[jxj]

I see the A12 was selected. Are there other options in the lineup that will work on the Turbo Levo, or is this the only one? Also I don't like the round grip shifter setup. Is there another option, thumb/finger lever or e-shifting that could work? I don't see the economics on this but the ease of configuration and use makes sense to me.

I found this link that helps explain some of the A12 to me:
The Monkey Lab: Tech Talk: Rohloff's "Through-Axle" A12 Hubs

I think pairing this with a carbon belt drive might make the ultimate solution to our chain and cassette wear issues. Thoughts on this?
Gates Carbon Belt Drive: Everything You Ever Need to Know - CyclingAbout.com

 

[wepn]

There are many options available. The A12 version, as detailed in the Monkey Lab articles, is the appropriate model & secured by 7 mm bolts with Nord-loc washers. PM Axleplate (which needs to be slightly modified) & PM Bone torque anchor plate, Syntax X12-V2 sleeves, spacers & shims are also appropriate for Kenevo. Levo may be slightly different and may vary between sizes although in most cases should be exactly the same. It’s for this reason that exact measurements using a measurement kit must be completed & sent to Rohloff for certification.

As far as the many options, for shift control, there’s the Cinq Shift:R Tour for Rohloff, a precision thumb shifter - €299.

Shift:R Tour for Rohloff

There’s also the E-14 electronic shifter but that’s only available for Bosch systems for now. An example is the Nicolai G1 EBOXX that uses the E-14 with a Gates Carbon Belt Drive and has HSYNC implemented. HSYNC pauses the Bosch drive for not many microseconds during the electronic shift. The E-14 will be backwardly compatible with all existing Speedhubs.

E-14 - Rohloff AG

G1 EBOXX E14 • Nicolai Bicycles

Specialized, Brose, Rohloff E-14, Gates Belt Drive, HSYNC? That would be a serious machine. Very possible but the Gates Belt Drive needs a breakable link in the swingarm to enable belt replacement. That’s a very complex modification that almost certainly could only come from the factory.

Many other options here:

Tuning Parts - Rohloff AG

As far as cost & complexity, it's all up front. Once installed, expense & maintenance are both as minimal as it gets.

 

[CjP]

Omg please don’t put pictures of that Nicolai bike up. I struggle everyday not to buy that beautiful beast.
The electric rohloff is not available for any other motor bar the Bosch yet and won’t be for a while. Trust me I’ve tried.
Unless some electronics guru is willing to hack up the Brose system it ain’t happening.

The carbon drive is possible but will require a few custom bits. I am currently looking into that set up. Will be a pain in the ass to swap belts but who cares. I’ve taken my chain of only twice in the year I’ve owned it.

There are a heap of shifters available for Rohloff but the one that comes with it is probably most suitable.
There is the Bpod Push’R trigger shifter but it costs around 700 euro and a 2 month wait . ?
Sexy though and hydraulic!

 

[wepn]

The electric rohloff is not available for any other motor bar the Bosch yet and won’t be for a while. Trust me I’ve tried.
Unless some electronics guru is willing to hack up the Brose system it ain’t happening.

The carbon drive is possible but will require a few custom bits. I am currently looking into that set up.

I know a guru or 2 & they’re working on it! In fact it’s entirely possible Brose E-14 HSYNC could appear long before the Gates Belt - unless you’ve got your angle grinder ready and willing. I’m intrigued!

 

[CjP]

I know a guru or 2 & they’re working on it! In fact it’s entirely possible Brose E-14 HSYNC could appear long before the Gates Belt - unless you’ve got your angle grinder ready and willing. I’m intrigued!

I always have a grinder ready and willing!

If you get that electronic rohloff going you best call me first or I will find you. I have a special set of skills.....

 

[jxj]

I have the Aluminum rear triangle on my 2018 Turbo Levo Carbon Comp, and it looks like it would unbolt near the rear mech where there appears a bolt/pivot point. I think it would open the triangle to put a belt in there. Perhaps I see it wrong. Only other issue is a tensioner and there are likely a few ways to do that as was done on the Nicolai or perhaps something on the rear swing arm area like a rear mech style tensioner with one idler?

 

[CjP]

Yeah you can easily unbolt that section to install a belt.
I have been looking at replicating the Nicolai design which is doable but requires custom work.
Try to make it all bolt on is what I want. Full factory looking spec

 

[jxj]

Agree, it has to look and function better than OEM. IMHO, not a real high bar given that the SRAM stuff doesn't please me. I see three things unsolved for me:

1. The tensioner On my large frame there isn't that much slack in the full stroke of the shock to accommodate but tension is critical. Perhaps some learning from automotive timing belt tension systems. Most I've worked on were hydraulic but something in spring loaded tension would make more sense.

2. The shifter . I can't use the grip shifter. Wrist issues and rough terrain will cause unwanted and/or unable to shift situations. Some possible solutions above. Here in the US hard to get a look as some of this excellent European equipment prior to purchase. E14 shifting is very expensive but would be ideal if it would work with Brose.

3. Brakes. I'm in love with my Shimano 8020 brakes and Ice 203mm rotors . I don't see those rotors matching up with the Rohloff hub, perhaps it can be adapted. I dumped the Sram brakes last year and can't go back from the Shimano/Ice.

This would make a great project for the winter when the snow puts me off the Levo.

 

[wepn]

3. Brakes. I'm in love with my Shimano 8020 brakes and Ice 203mm rotors . I don't see those rotors matching up with the Rohloff hub, perhaps it can be adapted.

Magura MT5/7's are also excellent & match up.

 

[wepn]

I have the Aluminum rear triangle on my 2018 Turbo Levo Carbon Comp, and it looks like it would unbolt near the rear mech where there appears a bolt/pivot point. I think it would open the triangle to put a belt in there. Perhaps I see it wrong. Only other issue is a tensioner and there are likely a few ways to do that as was done on the Nicolai or perhaps something on the rear swing arm area like a rear mech style tensioner with one idler?

Yeah you can easily unbolt that section to install a belt.
I have been looking at replicating the Nicolai design which is doable but requires custom work.
Try to make it all bolt on is what I want. Full factory looking spec

No it's me that saw it wrong! Not simple but much easier than I thought. Very interesting indeed.

 

[CjP]

Please keep me update on your friend progress re the Brose/Rohloff integration.
Would be so perfect to have that!

 

[Maastricht]

Very interesting discussion and love the Nicolai too!

In case you have a frame which is not able to split to add a belt drive, you could consider the Veer split belt system in combination with the Rohloff:
Installation | Split Belt Pro | Bikepacking

However I have never tested this combination but found the concept on the internet.

 

[wepn]

Very interesting discussion and love the Nicolai too!

In case you have a frame which is not able to split to add a belt drive, you could consider the Veer split belt system in combination with the Rohloff:
Installation | Split Belt Pro | Bikepacking

However I have never tested this combination but found the concept on the internet.

The Veer looks like another innovative system. Would be interested to compare but the engineering in the Rohloff Gates along with the E-14 combined with the Brose drives would be the quickest, smoothest & quietest of all.

But yes that Nicolai is equal to the Kenevo & Levo for me and there’s no greater compliment in my mind.

 

[CjP]

A fair bit of work for the gates drive, would need a different spider as the current one is just too close. There are options but would require time/money and trial and error. Then there’s the customisation required for tensioners.
In the end the Nicolai looks more and more appealing. I might wait for their next gen bike as I’m sure it will be another masterpiece and by the Kenevo will be well used and abused by then.
For now I think the current Rohloff/Specialized system is more than satisfactory.

 

[wepn]

Omg please don’t put pictures of that Nicolai bike up. I struggle everyday not to buy that beautiful beast.

Whoops sorry Christian

 

[CjP]

I hate you!

Now I need to go to my bedroom for half hour!

 

[wepn]

I hate you!

Now I need to go to my bedroom for half hour!

Haha forgot this one

 

[CjP]

Nice!
How’s the progress on the E14/Brose integration?

 

[wepn]

Nice!
How’s the progress on the E14/Brose integration?

I really don’t know but I'm sure it’s worthwhile for Specialized, Brose & Rohloff to participate. Actually it seems self evident that Bosch, Shimano, enviolo & Rohloff have already moved in this direction with eShift and so I think inevitable it'll be a reality soon.

The integrated eShift shifting concept ensures greater comfort and safety.

A Specialized Brose Rohloff E-14 or equivalent is needed to compete at the high end with the likes of Nicolai and for this reason that I think people are hard at work on it now.

As it is, the Brose Rohloff Speedhub combination is perfect for technical trails with single gearshifts being solid & precise. The E-14 will allow for much quicker shifts & allow instant feedback to select the correct gear by quick shift corrections up or down.

The mechanical twist shift gear selection that I have, as I said, is great for singletrack & more technical although on sharp switchbacks you need to be accurate with gear selection or risk losing too much momentum. Technique, gear selection & trail knowledge all come into play.

With the E-14, select the wrong gear & instantly correct. No solid click, an instant electronic shift. Having a Shimano Alfine Di2 Auto/paddle shift on a Merida bike, I can say that Specialized & Merida have the capability to do something much better than that with Rohloff & Brose.

 

[CjP]

All I heard was Brose, e14 Rohloff.

Sooner the better I say.