Hey everyone! Thanks so much for watching. If you're interested in learning more about bikes featuring the Rohloff system, check out the links in the description! ✌
Nice video Chris, I drive for 10 years an E bike with Rohloff and since last year a R&M with E14 and have over 10000 km with the new bike. Clean thing, no chain maintenance with oil because belt drive. Only every 5000km an oil change. I am still thrilled. Greetings from Germany
@Click Bait In the city, there is probably no problem. In hilly terrain, the Rohloff comes into play and shows its advantages. I can master almost any slope without dismounting. I remain, the Rohloff is for me even after 10 years of experience the optimum of the gears. Especially because at a standstill can be switched. Greetings from Germany.
@Click Bait True. The Rohloff was designed in Switzerland, so having a lot of gears would be helpful there. They might think it's nuts to use one in a place with no mountains, but if you want to buy one, they won't stop you...
Sounds great! Can you do the oil service on Rohloff IGH yourself? I have this item on my wish list for my own custom e-bike build. But was not experienced and sure enough I'd be compatible and lasts my mid drive BBHS 1500W ~165nm engine power over time. So now running a 8 speed Shimano IGH as a try-out for daily commuting. Personally I prefer mechanical shifting cable(s) over electronic, since I'd like also to ride without battery.
@@zachm.3049 yup, you can buy a Rohloff oil change kit which supplies all the items you need (including the syringe for the oil, but maybe not a hex key to open the hub). I have an R&M Load 60 with Rohloff which I received this year and will be doing my oil change next year with this kit. They suggest to do it once a year. That’s about the only maintenance (as there is no need to oil, clean a chain) along with tire pressure.
Additional information on pedaling pauses during gear changes: The internal connection between the Rohloff E-14 and the Bosch motor of the new Generation 4 no longer require pedaling pauses under load. The Bosch motor regulates this completely independently and takes for the mini-second the pressure from the drive belt. The driver no longer has to pay attention to it himself.
At thee moment I’m on a 4400 mile circumnavigation of the coast of the UK. I’m riding a Reise & Muller Load 75 with Rohloff E14. It’s smooth and does the job nicely. The gear range is great, tackling any hill I have thrown at it. Great video Chris.
You are a very eloquent, soft spoken, and a thoroughly understandable narrator. Fluid speaking without dead spots and without repetition. Those different bikes you feature are cutting edge in design. Love the belt drive models. Just subscribed and am looking forward to subsequent videos. Thanks a bunch.
Hi Chris, I recently watched your video with the Mayor of Emeryville, CA. Very nice I can’t wait to ride their trails! I’m also a disabled vet and 83 years old living in Livermore, CA and I ride an adult e-trike as my balance is not so good any longer. I would appreciate you doing a video on adult tricycles for seniors. I’ll look forward to this. Keep up the d good work you do! 🚴🇺🇸👍
I had considered the Rohloff & Enviolo when looking for my Internal Geared Hub & there were a few factors which made my choice the Alfine 11. This was 6 years ago now & still very happy with my choice. Here's what I didn't like about the Rohloff & Enviolo - With the Rohloff it was the cost. In Canada they end up being a little under $2000. by the time you are on the road. As a comparison my Alfine 11 was $700. ready to ride. My rationale was if the Alfine fails after a few years I can either replace the inner assembly for $400. or buy the latest version of the hub & still be hundreds of $ ahead. I also didn't like the dual gear cables & twist grip shifters on both hubs. With the Alfine I had a choice but the paddle shifter has been faultless. With the Enviolo it was the weight of the hub & the feeling like it was rubber banding. The last consideration was the gear range. With the Rohloff you are able to achieve a lower gear inch which is better suited to climbing or carrying heavy loads but with the Alfine hub I was able to gear it almost as low while achieving a better high gear. This suited my riding better as I wasn't going offroad or carrying very heavy loads. Rohloff also has this policy of limiting their warranty coverage if you go outside of their recommended ratios & for $2000. this did not inspire much confidence in buying their hub.
I'm buying a R&M bike this summer. This video has really helped me justify spending such a lot of money to opt for the Rohloff gears! Very well explained, thank you.
Max nailed it in his comment below. This may be the best and most informative video I have ever seen. All important info, no fluff. I have ordered the Riese and Muller Superdelite Mountain with this hub.
Another company using the Rohloff Speedhub is Bakcou in Ogden Utah. Top of the line bike company specializing in off-road hunting bicycles. Using the Rohloff Speedhubs in their highest end models: Jager & MAV3. Made to go up the steepest hills and carry elk/deer on bike trailers out of the back country on bike trailers after the hunt. Outstanding company excellent service.
Your post up Vids regarding Ebikes are the most informative available. I wish you were over here in Europe - well, in my case England actually. I would just love to buy an Ebike from you. Well done sir, for your expertise and thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.
A „how to“ series would be great. With a mechanic or the boss himself. Doesn’t matter. Like, how to change brake pads, how to change those difficult to get off tires,... Tara, as always, great editing 👍🏻
Hi Chris. Thank's for the video. I use a Riese and Muller Supercharger 2 equipped with the Rohloff Sppedhub E-14. I use the bike everyday for home-work comuting (starting on january 2020, now almost 4000 kms). This internal gear hub is a must have. To give a complete description maybe a drawback is the oil leak wich seems to be "normal" but is very surprising the first time. It can be several dots that make the ground really dirty. There are many posts on the web that explain that this is something usual. Changing the oil is really easy. No need to visit the dealer shop for that. Regards
"the oil leak wich seems to be "normal" "... Hum.. No, it's not. I have two bikes with Rohloff (and one with Alfine); an oil leak is not normal with a speedhub. You better check this with the seller, since your bike is still under warranty.
Interesting video that is very well explained. I can certainly understand the appeal for those that use their bikes every day and in less than ideal weather conditions. It`s a shame that they are so expensive, but you made it easy to see why. Well done.
One great advantage of speedhubs over derailleurs is that there is nothing hanging on right side of rear axle; a derailleur can be spoiled in different situations (of course, possibilty to use belt instead chain, and possibility to change gear without moving, are the two main advantages, in my point of view). Two main advantages of Rohloff over other speedhubs are the range, with not too wide gap between gears, and that the rear wheel can easily be removed (no weird cable attachement with the Rohloff, even with the standard one)... The "less friction" aspect is real compared to Envolio, but not so sensible compared to some other speedhub (in my case: Alfine). Changing oil is very simple and not expensive (I am buying kits on German eshops). Changing old version pinion was not very difficult (for Rohloff using chain) and pinions can be used on both sides; with new pinion system, it is easier (no screw to untight with specific tool). But I don't find that the two buttons shifter is very pleasant to use: the triangle shaped buttons do not work well when you push off center, so the sweetspot is quite small. The whole "two buttons" shifter is not very comfortable whatever rotation adjustment, because the whole thing is rather small and smooth. They should have made something more like a trigger that you can push up or down, without having to check your fingers, then the display, to know whether you have switch gear. It's not a "no go" at all (current switcher is fully usable), but a direction for improvement.
I have an 18 speed Pinion fitted to my Scorpion fs 26. I've had it for 5 years now and covered just over 3,000 miles without a single fault. I don't think it is as efficient as the Rohloff, but it's still an excellent piece of kit. Well pleased. Enjoyable and informative video. Voted & Sub'd.
Chris, thanks to you, your team and your videos I’m collecting my superdelite tomorrow. Going for the GT HS Rohloff. I’ve already taken it for a test ride and compared it to other brands and models. Whilst it’s not cheap it does in my eyes represent great value for money. I’m looking forward to years of commuting and touring. I may never meet you by I would like to thank you!!
Thank you so much, it's really useful. I was looking at a nearly new R&M Tinker Vario, I loved the handlebar adjustability, but it didn't have a rolloff, and I'm sure I'll prefer the button instead of the shifter. After watching your video I'm going to try out some Terns. Thanks again, it's saved me from making a wrong decision.
I've owned two Rohloffs and sold them both. (I wasn't sure enough of my experiences from the first one -- thought maybe I'd gotten a "dud", but the second one was the same.) They are intriguing from an engineering perspective, really cool -- also have a fantastic track record from a reliability perspective. I really, really, really wanted to like them but found that there is mechanical resistance in them that just doesn't exist with plain old derailleurs. To say nothing of the weight and expense...!
I have an Australian touring bike called a Vivente Gibb. Amazing bike with a Rohloff hub and gates drive that has been developed over thirty plus years. Set up to travel the world and well worth considering. Non electric
I like your blog and typically catch your UA-cam videos a couple of times each week. One thing I miss and don't see very often are e-trikes. I used ride my old bicycle, unfortunately do to increasingly getting older and mobility problems, I just can't do rides like I used to. So the jest of my inquiry is can you do some more e-trikes or send me some lists of what you would find e-trikes that would help people like me. Thanks for your time and consideration.
Well stated. Please watch and subscribe to Utah Trikes. They really know what they are doing and fabricate the best trike and QUAD configurations which are featured on their numerous UA-cam videos. They have just moved to a new and much bigger location. Plenty more videos in store.
Interesting video, thanks for that. Just to be clear (confirmed by Enviolo and Rohloff): - the Enviolo hub is limited to 100Nm at the Bottom Bracket (putting more torque leads/can lead to the internal balls to go flattish and destroying the hub) - the Rohloff limited at 130Nm at the input level ("the input torque we refer to is measured at the SPEEDHUB input sprocket" says Rohloff customer service ). This means that if you have a 18 teeth sprocket at the rear and 36 teeth at the front, the Rohloff can stand 260Nm at the bottom bracket. HOWEVER, Rohloff specified that these 130Nm at the input level, includes the torque of the motor AND the torque of the cyclist. Still, this is an insanely higher level of torque than the Enviolo can cope with. Also, as Rohloff says "The sudden application of torque from high power motors may lead to internal component damage if the curve hasn't been programmed with transmission component longevity in mind", so should you install a 160Nm Bafang motor like I did, better not start with Pedal assist on full blast, but start low and progressively increase PAS level as the speed builds up.
Hey Patrick , how did your rohloff work out with the 160nm torque. I’m looking at doing the same . Revollute hub1 6 speed , 250nm torque capability , coming out soon and HB hightec , 9 speed , 250nm as well
@@danieloconnor373 Hi Daniel, have done c. 1,500Km on it and it is working like a charm ;o) Maybe I am overly cautious with it as the Enviolo did not last long, so everytime I change gear when in full power, I make sure to reduce the pedal assist 3-4 levels (down to middle power), then change gear, then start pedalling and increase back to full power. I have a ratio of 3:1 front to rear and live in a hilly city, but must say this ratio is perfect, cycling easily at 45km/h on flat at a 50-60 per second cadence. So although Rholoff are expensive and they look like they were created in the 17th century, they are 10x more worth buying than the Enviolo (to me)
It'd be sweet if the normal cable-shifted Speedhub could be converted to the E14 system, and if it could interface with a Bafang BBSHD. It looks like the only difference is swapping the cable system over to the electronic shifter. If it is that easy, I'm very interested.
Very good video. Just some opinions: Weight, efficiency and gear range are not really a factor for E-Bikes. An E-Bike is already really heavy, efficiency is secondary because the motor will compensate for it and the motor will also compensate for missing gear range. Sure you will use up more battery but most people will rarely use up all the energy within one day. You can even shift a gearbox without slowing down your cadence. You can shift while peddling but not under full load. So when you just reduce the power a bit and put a little bit of pressure on the shifter it will not shift while there is pressure on the pedals but when you reach the dead point it will shift instantly. This way you need way less coordinations.
One of my first cycling lessons was - Don't Shift While Going Over a BUMP - the chain on my adult trike just flew right OFF. Years later i understand - I Am My Own Clutch. But i dream of electric assist in hopes that its upward developments will someday converge with my declining abilities to make me a happy senior cyclist. Dream On!
@@Propelbikes No worries, it will happen. Btw ... in regard to the film making process, you've really done your part too by developing your onscreen skills. It' work. And it shows.
Thank you so much. Was hoping for a deep dive on the E-14. Whats your experience in terms of reliability so far (not the hub itself but rather the E-14 setup)? And is there any way so manually shift gears if it stops working in the middle of nowhere?
Great Video! You have defintely a second carrer in the UA-cam world. Just wanted to add that the Rohloff hub is THE choice for a lot of world travellers on bikes.
I have an Opti Bike out of Boulder that has a Rohloff bike and it is awesome, as a long-time rider it is a little tuff getting used to not pedaling while you shift.
I like Enviolo as one can "shift" also under load (while pedaling) and the no step shifting helps set an exact transmision ratio. I think enviolo is really good for e-bikes 😊👍
Enviolo is super comfy, but I know quite some people who regret it, because they live in steep terrain. If not, it’s a awesome system. I live in such steep terrain, that even a classic chain system managed to stress and break my motor over time 😔
@@holyfox94 in 🇨🇭 we have really steep hills, and I never had problems doing even the steepest ones ( with two fully loaded panier bags with groceries)... I think it is important that the drive train/motor has a small chain ring on the craks (case with the newer e-bikes)
@@noosestroke The now broken e bike, Haibike Bosch CX, had a small front chain wheel. Still, it happened. Stuttgart, Germany, especially my „Hausberg“ is the steepest in town, a few kilometres long and I have to drive it several times a day. Even in the Alps such steep hills are not that common. At least not on a daily basis as I don’t have or want a car anymore. As mentioned. One may be satisfied with the Enviolo, but you may need to buy a new bike or motor sooner than thaught. Grüße in die schöne Schweiz 🙋🏼♀️
That appears to be a Riese & Müller Superdelite. It can be ordered with a derailleur, Enviolo, and of course the Röhloff as shown. Gird your loins before going to their website and checking the price tho - All that German-Made Goodness comes dear ;-)
Love the video. You made mention that the hub communicates with motor and will let off on the motor when shifting [4:15] but shortly thereafter [4:50] you discussed shifting an internal hub gearbox and needing to let off when shifting. So does the rider need to briefly let off on the Rohloff when shifting or does the servo manage that? Also, how long has the Rohloff E-14 been on the market? Any indication Rohloff is working on improved or successor version? It’s reliability appears so solid, it would be hard to improve on. Thanks for all your videos.
GSD R14 in UK, 400 miles and really enjoying it. Would like a more positive feel for the centre of the push gear change buttons - especially with gloves on. R14 is a heavy bike but it's a joy to ride with no assistance - no drag from the Rohloff or the belt drive or the Bosch Gen 4. (Bosch Gen3 was a DRAG)
Typically great a video from you sir. I just bought a specialized Vado 5.0 igh with the nvolo hub and automatic.. Not sure I can ever go back to a derailleur or a twist shifter for that matter. Just need to higher gear the Vado to increase its top speed since it only has 380° in the hub. No doubt I will own a rolhoff before I die. I like the looks of some of those sportier reice and Mueller bikes in the video Thanks.
My Blade 2.0 has a 14 speed Rohloff speed hub. It’s a 1500w Bafang Ultra powered mid drive mountain bike sold from the San Diego based company FLX (builders of the babymaker).
0:43 the rear shock on that bike should be locked or have more psi in it, or the rebound should be slower. There is a pogo-stick effect with every crank of the pedal.
The principal cause of this (a.k.a. pedal bob) is the relatively large offset between the pivot point of the rear suspension and the line of the tensioned belt/chain on the bicycle shown - You're right about a higher spring rate helping but it will never fully offset the basic geometry problem. It seems that e-bike manufacturers generally aren't too worried about pedal bob and associated energy losses because of the assistance provided by the electric motor.
I am a Rohloff user. I own two trikes, ICE Sprint RS 20" and Azub Ti-Fly 20" both with Rohloffs. I love the idea of belt drives. There are some issues with belt drives but one that I was told about was that one couldn't bend a belt backwards. One of the things I see here in your video is the bent backwards. Are these belts new tech that wasn't available previously? I do realise that there are issues of triangular frames that need to separate to accommodate a belt. I am a Rohloff fan boy. Oh and by the way that is one sweet looking electric bike.
How suitable is this system for front-loader cargo bikes? Is it up to the task for moving around heavier cargo bikes where Enviolo seem to be the standard?
Will there ever be an e-shifter for non e-bikes? I'd like to replace my rear wheel & derailleur with a Rohloff hub but do not want the 2 extra cables required.
I’m looking at an ICE Adventure recumbent. For this application, would you personally go for the Rohloff or the Enviolo. I will have the Steps electric assist. Thank you
Great vid. Been watching you here in Cape Town. We have a handful of local suppliers at best wrt ebikes. My next ebike I really want a drive belt instead of a chain...
I have this bike, Superdelite GT Rohloff and the gear change is awesome, but the "dead spot" u mention is actually a bit annoying when u live in a hilly area like I am. The "dead spot" is never ever an issue once u learn the timing, atleast for me. It's a bit annoying tho. A big problem however is this; It becomes a problem when you are moving straight ahead and u are about to go up a hill. Your bike slows down naturally as you ascend and as you go from, lets say, gear 12 to gear 3 it takes several gear changes before you get to gear 3. That means you cant pedal for that very long duration of time and you end up stressing out a bit cuz if u dont hurry to get to gear 3 before your speed gets too low you will have to step of the bike. It get's way worse when you go from a hill that INCREASES in steepness as you go up it. I wonder what the enviolo is like.
The Rohloff is great, it is such a perfect bonding element between man and machine. in any situation i feel like to ride with the perfect cadence. 80 seems to be the sweet spot for me and the Bosch Performance Speed Gen 2 motor. Chris your videos are perfect to learn about ebikes. If I could ask for a topic it would be ebikes as a business. How many bikes worldwide per year, rate of growth, who are the biggest manufacturers, suppliers. Whats their revenue and outlook. E.g. Bosch does not report their ebike revenues. My guestimation would be they passed 1bn€ per year with growth rate of over 30% anually...
I’ve never had a more amazing ride than with the Enviolo Automatiq. Removes ALL thought or worry about gearing while riding. Much better than the Rohloff or Enviolo twist.
Great Video, Do these types of hubs work for rolling hills and climbing such as the Foothills of Tucson? I want to get back on my bike, but the hills on a traditional bike is a bit much so looking at an electric assist. Any thoughts?
Great informative video. I’d like to see one describing Enviolo. I hope Tern and other companies will offer a belt drive on a folding ebike. I don’t want to get grease inside my car. I’d buy one if they did.
Hey Chris-another great video! Question for you...I'm riding a Gazelle with the Bosch speed motor and I saw that they are offering Enviolo, but I'm not seeing Rohloff. I like Riese & Mueller but they are too expensive for my riding style. Thoughts? Thanks, as always 🙂
I am currently on a Specialized Vado 5.0 igh that uses the larger of the two Eviolo hubs which I believe is 380 percent range. I did have some issues with keeping the cadence slow enough at high speeds but going to a 2 tooth smaller hub gear pretty much solved the problem. The Vado 5.0 has that auto shifting box which is just so great as I am not sure I would ever want any kind of twist shifter especially on such a high priced bike. I see on the R & M that there are also manual override buttons which is kind of like paddle shifters in cars. Wow I will really have to try one of these and likely get one since it also has that rear suspension that I am missing from my mt bike. Thanks much.
Every time I tried the Rohloff hub on an ebike my issue was that it was so slow to change gears. The steps between the gears are too small for an ebike, and I had to switch 3-4 gears each time. A lot of button presses all the time on the flimsy small buttons. For mechanical bikes, I love the Rohloff, it is fantastic, and the small difference between gears helps fine tune my cadence.
I am using SRAM Force electronic shifting on my race bike. Does the Rohloff E14 makes that possible on a tour bike, or is the electric motor in the middle necessary?
Awesome stuff! For those people also looking for a portable bike which they can throw in a car and drive it to the mountains, are the Rohloff's compatible with quick release? Thru-axles? I've only ever seen them with the traditional nut setup but the ones in your video looked like thru axle?
What a helpful video Chris. Thanks for that! I am currently in the process of configuring a Multicharger HS to replace my car (most of the time). It's pretty hilly here, so the Enviolo is no option for me. What would be your pick between the Shimano XT 11-speed system and the Rohloff? What would you say needs to be my annual milage for the Rohloff to be the obvious choice (from a price perspective)? Keep it up!
I still have a good old Vittoria with a NuVinci hub (Enviolo). Needs resetting once in a while, but is very comfortable for a city bike, very happy with it.
Hey everyone! Thanks so much for watching.
If you're interested in learning more about bikes featuring the Rohloff system, check out the links in the description! ✌
I'm curious how a full suspension bike accommodates a belt drive. How is this done? Is there an informative video about this?
Nice video Chris, I drive for 10 years an E bike with Rohloff and since last year a R&M with E14 and have over 10000 km with the new bike. Clean thing, no chain maintenance with oil because belt drive. Only every 5000km an oil change. I am still thrilled. Greetings from Germany
Super cool! Keep it up!
@Click Bait In the city, there is probably no problem. In hilly terrain, the Rohloff comes into play and shows its advantages. I can master almost any slope without dismounting. I remain, the Rohloff is for me even after 10 years of experience the optimum of the gears. Especially because at a standstill can be switched. Greetings from Germany.
@Click Bait True. The Rohloff was designed in Switzerland, so having a lot of gears would be helpful there. They might think it's nuts to use one in a place with no mountains, but if you want to buy one, they won't stop you...
Sounds great! Can you do the oil service on Rohloff IGH yourself?
I have this item on my wish list for my own custom e-bike build.
But was not experienced and sure enough I'd be compatible and lasts my mid drive BBHS 1500W ~165nm engine power over time.
So now running a 8 speed Shimano IGH as a try-out for daily commuting.
Personally I prefer mechanical shifting cable(s) over electronic, since I'd like also to ride without battery.
@@zachm.3049 yup, you can buy a Rohloff oil change kit which supplies all the items you need (including the syringe for the oil, but maybe not a hex key to open the hub). I have an R&M Load 60 with Rohloff which I received this year and will be doing my oil change next year with this kit. They suggest to do it once a year. That’s about the only maintenance (as there is no need to oil, clean a chain) along with tire pressure.
The immense quality of this video … is almost a miniature documentary, all on one type of gearbox.
This is awesome!
Thanks so much Max! Always appreciate your support!
Nice tone with no shouting !
It's a commercial.
@@rosomak8244 not so much. More just an explainer video to show the benefits of the technologies used in the gearbox system.
@@ianmanders2309 ?
Additional information on pedaling pauses during gear changes:
The internal connection between the Rohloff E-14 and the Bosch motor of the new Generation 4 no longer require pedaling pauses under load.
The Bosch motor regulates this completely independently and takes for the mini-second the pressure from the drive belt. The driver no longer has to pay attention to it himself.
At thee moment I’m on a 4400 mile circumnavigation of the coast of the UK. I’m riding a Reise & Muller Load 75 with Rohloff E14. It’s smooth and does the job nicely. The gear range is great, tackling any hill I have thrown at it. Great video Chris.
Anyone who's doing a great bike trip like that gets an automatic upvote from me! If you happen to see this, how did it go?
I hate the shift-buttons, they are not reliable and hard to use when wearing gloves.
You are a very eloquent, soft spoken, and a thoroughly understandable narrator.
Fluid speaking without dead spots and without repetition.
Those different bikes you feature are cutting edge in design. Love the belt drive models.
Just subscribed and am looking forward to subsequent videos. Thanks a bunch.
Hi Chris, I recently watched your video with the Mayor of Emeryville, CA. Very nice I can’t wait to ride their trails! I’m also a disabled vet and 83 years old living in Livermore, CA and I ride an adult e-trike as my balance is not so good any longer. I would appreciate you doing a video on adult tricycles for seniors. I’ll look forward to this. Keep up the d good work you do! 🚴🇺🇸👍
I had considered the Rohloff & Enviolo when looking for my Internal Geared Hub & there were a few factors which made my choice the Alfine 11. This was 6 years ago now & still very happy with my choice. Here's what I didn't like about the Rohloff & Enviolo - With the Rohloff it was the cost. In Canada they end up being a little under $2000. by the time you are on the road. As a comparison my Alfine 11 was $700. ready to ride. My rationale was if the Alfine fails after a few years I can either replace the inner assembly for $400. or buy the latest version of the hub & still be hundreds of $ ahead. I also didn't like the dual gear cables & twist grip shifters on both hubs. With the Alfine I had a choice but the paddle shifter has been faultless. With the Enviolo it was the weight of the hub & the feeling like it was rubber banding. The last consideration was the gear range. With the Rohloff you are able to achieve a lower gear inch which is better suited to climbing or carrying heavy loads but with the Alfine hub I was able to gear it almost as low while achieving a better high gear. This suited my riding better as I wasn't going offroad or carrying very heavy loads. Rohloff also has this policy of limiting their warranty coverage if you go outside of their recommended ratios & for $2000. this did not inspire much confidence in buying their hub.
I'm buying a R&M bike this summer. This video has really helped me justify spending such a lot of money to opt for the Rohloff gears! Very well explained, thank you.
Max nailed it in his comment below. This may be the best and most informative video I have ever seen. All important info, no fluff. I have ordered the Riese and Muller Superdelite Mountain with this hub.
Another company using the Rohloff Speedhub is Bakcou in Ogden Utah. Top of the line bike company specializing in off-road hunting bicycles. Using the Rohloff Speedhubs in their highest end models: Jager & MAV3. Made to go up the steepest hills and carry elk/deer on bike trailers out of the back country on bike trailers after the hunt. Outstanding company excellent service.
I wouldn't trade my Rohloff for anything. I bought the manual version for my Riese-Mueller Delite back in 2016.
Great video. I am very impressed by that Rohloff. And the motor integration. Uses the Bosch display to indicate what gear it is in. That is fantastic.
It is pretty fantastic! Things are really going to the next level with the tech and integrations.
Love the Rohloff E-14 on my Supercharger! Just changed the oil a couple of months ago. Super easy with the Rohloff oil change kit.
Awesome Rob! Thanks for sharing this!
Another winner video. Informative and your sincere presentation makes it captivating. You make excellence routine.
I really do appreciate it! I hope you're doing well.
Thx good info..we from Canada/ any shops in Ontario with Roloff🇨🇦
Your post up Vids regarding Ebikes are the most informative available. I wish you were over here in Europe - well, in my case England actually. I would just love to buy an Ebike from you. Well done sir, for your expertise and thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.
A „how to“ series would be great. With a mechanic or the boss himself. Doesn’t matter.
Like, how to change brake pads, how to change those difficult to get off tires,...
Tara, as always, great editing 👍🏻
Hi Chris. Thank's for the video. I use a Riese and Muller Supercharger 2 equipped with the Rohloff Sppedhub E-14. I use the bike everyday for home-work comuting (starting on january 2020, now almost 4000 kms). This internal gear hub is a must have. To give a complete description maybe a drawback is the oil leak wich seems to be "normal" but is very surprising the first time. It can be several dots that make the ground really dirty. There are many posts on the web that explain that this is something usual.
Changing the oil is really easy. No need to visit the dealer shop for that.
Regards
Great feedback! Thanks for sharing!
"the oil leak wich seems to be "normal" "... Hum.. No, it's not. I have two bikes with Rohloff (and one with Alfine); an oil leak is not normal with a speedhub. You better check this with the seller, since your bike is still under warranty.
Interesting video that is very well explained. I can certainly understand the appeal for those that use their bikes every day and in less than ideal weather conditions. It`s a shame that they are so expensive, but you made it easy to see why. Well done.
One great advantage of speedhubs over derailleurs is that there is nothing hanging on right side of rear axle; a derailleur can be spoiled in different situations (of course, possibilty to use belt instead chain, and possibility to change gear without moving, are the two main advantages, in my point of view).
Two main advantages of Rohloff over other speedhubs are the range, with not too wide gap between gears, and that the rear wheel can easily be removed (no weird cable attachement with the Rohloff, even with the standard one)... The "less friction" aspect is real compared to Envolio, but not so sensible compared to some other speedhub (in my case: Alfine).
Changing oil is very simple and not expensive (I am buying kits on German eshops). Changing old version pinion was not very difficult (for Rohloff using chain) and pinions can be used on both sides; with new pinion system, it is easier (no screw to untight with specific tool).
But I don't find that the two buttons shifter is very pleasant to use: the triangle shaped buttons do not work well when you push off center, so the sweetspot is quite small. The whole "two buttons" shifter is not very comfortable whatever rotation adjustment, because the whole thing is rather small and smooth. They should have made something more like a trigger that you can push up or down, without having to check your fingers, then the display, to know whether you have switch gear.
It's not a "no go" at all (current switcher is fully usable), but a direction for improvement.
Dude that was a documentary in the whole extent. You got a new subscriber
Really helpful. Thank you. I like my old-fashioned derailleur and chain just fine!
Good review, meaningful and clear explanation, no talking to say nothing in the end as in many reviews. Thank you.
I have an 18 speed Pinion fitted to my Scorpion fs 26. I've had it for 5 years now and covered just over 3,000 miles without a single fault. I don't think it is as efficient as the Rohloff, but it's still an excellent piece of kit. Well pleased.
Enjoyable and informative video. Voted & Sub'd.
can the bike still function if the Rohloff E14 hub with electronic shifter fails? And how reliable is the electronic shifter?
Chris, thanks to you, your team and your videos I’m collecting my superdelite tomorrow.
Going for the GT HS Rohloff. I’ve already taken it for a test ride and compared it to other brands and models. Whilst it’s not cheap it does in my eyes represent great value for money. I’m looking forward to years of commuting and touring.
I may never meet you by I would like to thank you!!
Great video. I converted my Orbea Wild FS to run a Rohloff with E-14. So much nice than external gears.
Thank you so much, it's really useful. I was looking at a nearly new R&M Tinker Vario, I loved the handlebar adjustability, but it didn't have a rolloff, and I'm sure I'll prefer the button instead of the shifter. After watching your video I'm going to try out some Terns. Thanks again, it's saved me from making a wrong decision.
Excellent video. Very high quality information, resolution, editing, structure of your story etc.!
I've owned two Rohloffs and sold them both. (I wasn't sure enough of my experiences from the first one -- thought maybe I'd gotten a "dud", but the second one was the same.)
They are intriguing from an engineering perspective, really cool -- also have a fantastic track record from a reliability perspective. I really, really, really wanted to like them but found that there is mechanical resistance in them that just doesn't exist with plain old derailleurs. To say nothing of the weight and expense...!
Just FYI, there is a break in period on the Rohloff hub.
I have an Australian touring bike called a Vivente Gibb. Amazing bike with a Rohloff hub and gates drive that has been developed over thirty plus years. Set up to travel the world and well worth considering. Non electric
I like your blog and typically catch your UA-cam videos a couple of times each week. One thing I miss and don't see very often are e-trikes. I used ride my old bicycle, unfortunately do to increasingly getting older and mobility problems, I just can't do rides like I used to. So the jest of my inquiry is can you do some more e-trikes or send me some lists of what you would find e-trikes that would help people like me. Thanks for your time and consideration.
Well stated. Please watch and subscribe to Utah Trikes. They really know what they are doing and fabricate the best trike and QUAD configurations which are featured on their numerous UA-cam videos. They have just moved to a new and much bigger location. Plenty more videos in store.
Interesting video, thanks for that.
Just to be clear (confirmed by Enviolo and Rohloff):
- the Enviolo hub is limited to 100Nm at the Bottom Bracket (putting more torque leads/can lead to the internal balls to go flattish and destroying the hub)
- the Rohloff limited at 130Nm at the input level ("the input torque we refer to is measured at the SPEEDHUB input sprocket" says Rohloff customer service ).
This means that if you have a 18 teeth sprocket at the rear and 36 teeth at the front, the Rohloff can stand 260Nm at the bottom bracket. HOWEVER, Rohloff specified that these 130Nm at the input level, includes the torque of the motor AND the torque of the cyclist. Still, this is an insanely higher level of torque than the Enviolo can cope with.
Also, as Rohloff says "The sudden application of torque from high power motors may lead to internal component damage if the curve hasn't been programmed with transmission component longevity in mind", so should you install a 160Nm Bafang motor like I did, better not start with Pedal assist on full blast, but start low and progressively increase PAS level as the speed builds up.
Hey Patrick , how did your rohloff work out with the 160nm torque.
I’m looking at doing the same .
Revollute hub1 6 speed , 250nm torque capability , coming out soon and
HB hightec , 9 speed , 250nm as well
@@danieloconnor373 Hi Daniel, have done c. 1,500Km on it and it is working like a charm ;o) Maybe I am overly cautious with it as the Enviolo did not last long, so everytime I change gear when in full power, I make sure to reduce the pedal assist 3-4 levels (down to middle power), then change gear, then start pedalling and increase back to full power. I have a ratio of 3:1 front to rear and live in a hilly city, but must say this ratio is perfect, cycling easily at 45km/h on flat at a 50-60 per second cadence.
So although Rholoff are expensive and they look like they were created in the 17th century, they are 10x more worth buying than the Enviolo (to me)
Really nice overview. Learned a lot. Just starting out and investigating eBike’s. Chris’s preso’s are excellent!. Thanks!
Another great clip providing immediate value, thanks!
It'd be sweet if the normal cable-shifted Speedhub could be converted to the E14 system, and if it could interface with a Bafang BBSHD. It looks like the only difference is swapping the cable system over to the electronic shifter. If it is that easy, I'm very interested.
Very good video. Just some opinions:
Weight, efficiency and gear range are not really a factor for E-Bikes. An E-Bike is already really heavy, efficiency is secondary because the motor will compensate for it and the motor will also compensate for missing gear range. Sure you will use up more battery but most people will rarely use up all the energy within one day.
You can even shift a gearbox without slowing down your cadence. You can shift while peddling but not under full load. So when you just reduce the power a bit and put a little bit of pressure on the shifter it will not shift while there is pressure on the pedals but when you reach the dead point it will shift instantly. This way you need way less coordinations.
dude your videos are so bad ass. I've always thought anyone who owned bike shops was bad ass, but you are pushing the next level
Wow! First time being called bad ass! But I really appreciate it!
One of my first cycling lessons was - Don't Shift While Going Over a BUMP - the chain on my adult trike just flew right OFF. Years later i understand - I Am My Own Clutch. But i dream of electric assist in hopes that its upward developments will someday converge with my declining abilities to make me a happy senior cyclist. Dream On!
Trike or QUAD time. Utah Trikes fabs great trikes and QUADS. Watch them on UA-cam.
Always at the cutting edge of the evolution of cycling. Keep on your good job.
Dang ... such an amazing production ... you two really provide excellent information for us all.
Thanks so much Mark! It’s coming together for sure. I still owe you follow up btw. Sorry about that. Hoping we can connect soon!
@@Propelbikes No worries, it will happen. Btw ... in regard to the film making process, you've really done your part too by developing your onscreen skills. It' work. And it shows.
That's excellent as a mountain biker the rohloff looks like a really good way forward
The pinion system works better with mountain bikes.
Worth the watch! If you wanted more info on this setup, this is where to get it.
Thank you so much. Was hoping for a deep dive on the E-14. Whats your experience in terms of reliability so far (not the hub itself but rather the E-14 setup)? And is there any way so manually shift gears if it stops working in the middle of nowhere?
It looks like once you remove the shifter box, you could shift manually with the right sized hex wrench, assuming it is the same as the cable version.
Another quality film Chris, thanks for sharing it with us.
What do u think about the Pinion MGU?
Excellent video! I would love to see a Bafang/E-14 combination in the future.
*
how do I convert my current e-bike with chain to the Rohloff?
Great Video! You have defintely a second carrer in the UA-cam world. Just wanted to add that the Rohloff hub is THE choice for a lot of world travellers on bikes.
I have an Opti Bike out of Boulder that has a Rohloff bike and it is awesome, as a long-time rider it is a little tuff getting used to not pedaling while you shift.
I like Enviolo as one can "shift" also under load (while pedaling) and the no step shifting helps set an exact transmision ratio. I think enviolo is really good for e-bikes 😊👍
just ordered my tern bike with enviolo on it. hopefully theres no regrets
It is a really nice way to go and it’s one of the most popular drivetrains in our shop.
Enviolo is super comfy, but I know quite some people who regret it, because they live in steep terrain.
If not, it’s a awesome system.
I live in such steep terrain, that even a classic chain system managed to stress and break my motor over time 😔
@@holyfox94 in 🇨🇭 we have really steep hills, and I never had problems doing even the steepest ones ( with two fully loaded panier bags with groceries)... I think it is important that the drive train/motor has a small chain ring on the craks (case with the newer e-bikes)
@@noosestroke The now broken e bike, Haibike Bosch CX, had a small front chain wheel.
Still, it happened. Stuttgart, Germany, especially my „Hausberg“ is the steepest in town, a few kilometres long and I have to drive it several times a day.
Even in the Alps such steep hills are not that common. At least not on a daily basis as I don’t have or want a car anymore.
As mentioned. One may be satisfied with the Enviolo, but you may need to buy a new bike or motor sooner than thaught.
Grüße in die schöne Schweiz 🙋🏼♀️
Thanks Chris, very informative. Would like to upgrade my bike with one of these a hubs. The Rolloff is the best.
I could not have said that better, excellent job, thank you
Yes for sure, I would need to save up for a few months of pay. But this bike with the drive train is top on my wish list 👌.
I give it 5 years and we'll have e bikes and rohloff with enough range to tackle a world tour. Can't wait!
I am so glad someone else did the math needed to figure out how to put those gears together. XD
Nice video, very informative. What is the grey ebike behind you throughout most of the video?
That appears to be a Riese & Müller Superdelite. It can be ordered with a derailleur, Enviolo, and of course the Röhloff as shown. Gird your loins before going to their website and checking the price tho - All that German-Made Goodness comes dear ;-)
Your videos are fantastic and very informative. Thanks for all you do
What is the top speed on that ebike with Rohloff E-14 ?
Love the video. You made mention that the hub communicates with motor and will let off on the motor when shifting [4:15] but shortly thereafter [4:50] you discussed shifting an internal hub gearbox and needing to let off when shifting. So does the rider need to briefly let off on the Rohloff when shifting or does the servo manage that? Also, how long has the Rohloff E-14 been on the market? Any indication Rohloff is working on improved or successor version? It’s reliability appears so solid, it would be hard to improve on.
Thanks for all your videos.
A good company is ALWAYS working on improved successor versions.
GSD R14 in UK, 400 miles and really enjoying it. Would like a more positive feel for the centre of the push gear change buttons - especially with gloves on.
R14 is a heavy bike but it's a joy to ride with no assistance - no drag from the Rohloff or the belt drive or the Bosch Gen 4. (Bosch Gen3 was a DRAG)
Very useful video mate. Thanks a ton.
Thanks Joe! Much appreciated
Another awesome video! I really enjoy these type of videos!
Typically great a video from you sir. I just bought a specialized Vado 5.0 igh with the nvolo hub and automatic.. Not sure I can ever go back to a derailleur or a twist shifter for that matter. Just need to higher gear the Vado to increase its top speed since it only has 380° in the hub. No doubt I will own a rolhoff before I die. I like the looks of some of those sportier reice and Mueller bikes in the video Thanks.
Looking at the updated CHENOA MAX, ROHLOFF E14. I'm looking for direct drive, internal gearing and front / rear suspension.
What are your thoughts on 3x3 vs the rohloff thanks
My Blade 2.0 has a 14 speed Rohloff speed hub. It’s a 1500w Bafang Ultra powered mid drive mountain bike sold from the San Diego based company FLX (builders of the babymaker).
0:43 the rear shock on that bike should be locked or have more psi in it, or the rebound should be slower. There is a pogo-stick effect with every crank of the pedal.
The principal cause of this (a.k.a. pedal bob) is the relatively large offset between the pivot point of the rear suspension and the line of the tensioned belt/chain on the bicycle shown - You're right about a higher spring rate helping but it will never fully offset the basic geometry problem. It seems that e-bike manufacturers generally aren't too worried about pedal bob and associated energy losses because of the assistance provided by the electric motor.
I am a Rohloff user. I own two trikes, ICE Sprint RS 20" and Azub Ti-Fly 20" both with Rohloffs. I love the idea of belt drives. There are some issues with belt drives but one that I was told about was that one couldn't bend a belt backwards. One of the things I see here in your video is the bent backwards. Are these belts new tech that wasn't available previously? I do realise that there are issues of triangular frames that need to separate to accommodate a belt. I am a Rohloff fan boy. Oh and by the way that is one sweet looking electric bike.
How suitable is this system for front-loader cargo bikes? Is it up to the task for moving around heavier cargo bikes where Enviolo seem to be the standard?
Will there ever be an e-shifter for non e-bikes? I'd like to replace my rear wheel & derailleur with a Rohloff hub but do not want the 2 extra cables required.
I’m looking at an ICE Adventure recumbent. For this application, would you personally go for the Rohloff or the Enviolo. I will have the Steps electric assist.
Thank you
great video! i was thinking about the cost of the rohloff an dthe price of changing casette and chains
Great vid. Been watching you here in Cape Town. We have a handful of local suppliers at best wrt ebikes. My next ebike I really want a drive belt instead of a chain...
Much appreciated! I would love to get to ride in Cape Town someday!
meeee too ! #EbikeChapter lulz* not about the bike tho
@@Propelbikes Awesome yes we cycle often up the West coast beautiful views of the mountain. Would be great to ride with you!
Time for a new rear tire; is there a video on removing and reinstalling the rear wheel on this EXACT bike? Do need to retention the belt?
I have this bike, Superdelite GT Rohloff and the gear change is awesome, but the "dead spot" u mention is actually a bit annoying when u live in a hilly area like I am.
The "dead spot" is never ever an issue once u learn the timing, atleast for me. It's a bit annoying tho.
A big problem however is this; It becomes a problem when you are moving straight ahead and u are about to go up a hill. Your bike slows down naturally as you ascend and as you go from, lets say, gear 12 to gear 3 it takes several gear changes before you get to gear 3. That means you cant pedal for that very long duration of time and you end up stressing out a bit cuz if u dont hurry to get to gear 3 before your speed gets too low you will have to step of the bike. It get's way worse when you go from a hill that INCREASES in steepness as you go up it.
I wonder what the enviolo is like.
The Rohloff is great, it is such a perfect bonding element between man and machine. in any situation i feel like to ride with the perfect cadence. 80 seems to be the sweet spot for me and the Bosch Performance Speed Gen 2 motor.
Chris your videos are perfect to learn about ebikes.
If I could ask for a topic it would be ebikes as a business. How many bikes worldwide per year, rate of growth, who are the biggest manufacturers, suppliers. Whats their revenue and outlook.
E.g. Bosch does not report their ebike revenues. My guestimation would be they passed 1bn€ per year with growth rate of over 30% anually...
I’ve never had a more amazing ride than with the Enviolo Automatiq. Removes ALL thought or worry about gearing while riding. Much better than the Rohloff or Enviolo twist.
Great Video, Do these types of hubs work for rolling hills and climbing such as the Foothills of Tucson? I want to get back on my bike, but the hills on a traditional bike is a bit much so looking at an electric assist. Any thoughts?
The pinion systems are more suited for mountain bikes because you don't have to stop pedaling while shifting and the weight is centered and low.
what is the power rating of the motor on that e bike at the beginning of the video with double battery etc
The nominal listed power is 250W but the peak is upwards of 800. Torque is 85Nm
Great informative video. I’d like to see one describing Enviolo. I hope Tern and other companies will offer a belt drive on a folding ebike. I don’t want to get grease inside my car. I’d buy one if they did.
Hey Chris-another great video! Question for you...I'm riding a Gazelle with the Bosch speed motor and I saw that they are offering Enviolo, but I'm not seeing Rohloff. I like Riese & Mueller but they are too expensive for my riding style. Thoughts? Thanks, as always 🙂
I need that in my life 🍻
It’s pretty sweet!
Another great informative video..... much thanks 👍👏😃🇨🇦
I am currently on a Specialized Vado 5.0 igh that uses the larger of the two Eviolo hubs which I believe is 380 percent range. I did have some issues with keeping the cadence slow enough at high speeds but going to a 2 tooth smaller hub gear pretty much solved the problem. The Vado 5.0 has that auto shifting box which is just so great as I am not sure I would ever want any kind of twist shifter especially on such a high priced bike. I see on the R & M that there are also manual override buttons which is kind of like paddle shifters in cars. Wow I will really have to try one of these and likely get one since it also has that rear suspension that I am missing from my mt bike. Thanks much.
Every time I tried the Rohloff hub on an ebike my issue was that it was so slow to change gears. The steps between the gears are too small for an ebike, and I had to switch 3-4 gears each time. A lot of button presses all the time on the flimsy small buttons.
For mechanical bikes, I love the Rohloff, it is fantastic, and the small difference between gears helps fine tune my cadence.
I am using SRAM Force electronic shifting on my race bike. Does the Rohloff E14 makes that possible on a tour bike, or is the electric motor in the middle necessary?
Awesome stuff! For those people also looking for a portable bike which they can throw in a car and drive it to the mountains, are the Rohloff's compatible with quick release? Thru-axles? I've only ever seen them with the traditional nut setup but the ones in your video looked like thru axle?
Yes. There are adapters you can buy that will get your Rolloff to a 12mm qr
Is there a Rohloff motor that will fit a Trek Stache? Cheers!
Your videos are outstanding
What if you run out of battery? can you still shift gears?
Great explanations of the two main choices
i am form Bangladesh. I am new visitors of cycle... at your Channel.
What a helpful video Chris. Thanks for that! I am currently in the process of configuring a Multicharger HS to replace my car (most of the time). It's pretty hilly here, so the Enviolo is no option for me. What would be your pick between the Shimano XT 11-speed system and the Rohloff? What would you say needs to be my annual milage for the Rohloff to be the obvious choice (from a price perspective)? Keep it up!
Can I retro fit this to old Kona hardtail with a bafung 750w 52v motor mid drive?if so, I want!
I’m looking for a touring Rohlof 14 with a Bosch eBike Can you recommend any for consideration?
I still have a good old Vittoria with a NuVinci hub (Enviolo). Needs resetting once in a while, but is very comfortable for a city bike, very happy with it.
Thanks for sharing!
E14 can be fitted on non ebike without midmotor?
will this work on specialized turbo levo emtb?
Would a shaft drive be a good thing with internal gearing versus a belt?
Definitely a consideration and it works for some applications, but it’s not too common outside of bikeshare these days.