For the love of cycling

Rohloff was founded back in 1986 as a small family business determined to enrich the cycle trade with product development reaching far further than a short-lived trend. Every Rohloff product that exited our premises has been subject to our intensive quality control that ensures you the cyclist, are able to enjoy ten’s if not hundreds of Km’s cycling enjoyment. This quality has not only won us countless fans and loyal customers over the last 30 years, but has also won many international sporting events, world records and taken touring cyclists to the remotest regions on the planet.

Regular, everyday consumers, wishing to enjoy a day cycling rather than repairing their bike, have put their faith in Rohloff products thanks to the low maintenance offered. Enjoy the 14 speed Rohloff experience yourself with a SPEEDHUB 500/14 equipped bicycle – regardless of E-Bike, MTB, Fatbike, Tandem, Trekking bike, Recumbent, Cargo bike etc. etc. We have something for everybody!

Just Facts

Almost 100% of all components required for Rohloff products are produced exclusively in Germany by one of 150 specially selected, high quality subcontractors. Every individual component must successfully pass a stringent quality control process before moving on through our facility to become part of an exclusive Rohloff product. Rohloff work closely together with retailers and distributors in 35 different countries. This global support network enables us to react fast, ensuring all customers receive the support they may require, regardless of where they are located worldwide.

The Rohloff HQ is located in central Germany. Over 60 individuals are employed here, all ensuring the constant high production quality of our products. The Rohloff service team are available not only per telephone and email, but also in person at the many shows, expos, seminars and races at which we exhibit around the world.

A Rohloff hub, specifically the Rohloff Speedhub 500/14, is a highly advanced, internally geared hub for bicycles. It's a sealed unit that contains 14 gears, eliminating the need for external derailleurs, multiple chainrings, and a rear cassette.

Here's a breakdown of its key features and how it works:

Internal Gearing

Unlike a traditional derailleur system where the chain moves between different cogs, the Rohloff hub's gears are all housed and protected within a sealed rear hub shell. This design offers several significant advantages:

• Low Maintenance: Because the gears are sealed, they are protected from dirt, water, and debris. The only required maintenance is an oil change, typically recommended once a year or every 5,000 km.

• Durability and Reliability: The robust design and protection from the elements make the hub extremely durable and long-lasting, even in harsh riding conditions like mud, sand, and snow.

• Clean and Simple Drivetrain: The system uses a single front chainring and a single rear sprocket, resulting in a straight chainline. This reduces chain wear, noise, and the risk of chain suck. It also allows for the use of a Gates Carbon Belt Drive, which is even lower maintenance than a chain.

How It Works

The Rohloff Speedhub's 14 gears are achieved through a complex system of three planetary gear series. These series are arranged in a way that provides 14 equally spaced, non-overlapping gear ratios.

• Shifting Mechanism: Shifting is controlled by a single twist-shifter on the handlebars. This shifter operates two cables that run to an external gearbox on the hub. The gearbox then manipulates the internal planetary gears to change ratios.

• Shifting Under Load (or Not): A key feature of the Rohloff hub is the ability to shift gears while stationary—a huge advantage when you stop suddenly and need to downshift to start again. You can also shift multiple gears at once. While it's possible to shift under pressure, it's generally smoother to ease off the pedals for a moment to allow the internal components to engage correctly.

• Gear Range: The hub offers a wide gear range of 526%, which is comparable to or even greater than a typical derailleur system. Each gear change provides a consistent 13.6% increase or decrease in ratio, ensuring smooth and predictable shifting.

Other Important Aspects

• Weight: The Rohloff hub is generally heavier than a comparable derailleur setup. However, the total bike weight may not be significantly different, as the hub replaces several components, including two derailleurs, a cassette, and multiple chainrings.

• Installation: The hub requires a frame with a specific torque reaction anchor to prevent the internal workings from rotating. This can be achieved through special dropouts (OEM versions), a torque arm, or a disc brake mount.

• Cost: Rohloff hubs are considerably more expensive than most other gear systems, which is why they are primarily found on high-end touring bicycles, mountain bikes, and e-bikes, where their reliability and low maintenance are a major selling point.

• E-Bike Compatibility: Rohloff hubs are well-suited for high-torque e-bikes. There is even an electronic shifting version, the E-14, which synchronizes with the e-bike motor to automatically reduce torque for a smooth, fast shift.

How does the Rohloff system work? Check out Rohloff's detailed explanation of the internals HERE.