Rohloff or not?

[peterh_nz]

In my case the same as with a chain execept that I have to disconnect the cables to the electronic shifter.

Yes, quite straight forward.

However I've never had to remove the wheel for puncture repair (tubed tyre). It's easily done in situ.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

In my case the same as with a chain execept that I have to disconnect the cables to the electronic shifter.

So: You remove the thru axle, then somehow remove the belt from the rear sprocket and meanwhile disconnect the cables?
I need to see my friend's Enviolo e-bike to learn helping her.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

However I've never had to remove the wheel for puncture repair (tubed tyre). It's easily done in situ.

It is always the first time

 

[PCeBiker]

In my case the same as with a chain execept that I have to disconnect the cables to the electronic shifter.

Is that a power cable or a wire cable like on a derailleur?
If it's cable actuated, what is electronic about it?

Does it need to be adjusted after reinstalling the wheel (like a derailleur) or is it a simple connector ? (like a motor cable connector)

 

[PCeBiker]

It is always the first time

And it always takes ten times longer than the second time.

I always try to do stuff like that at home to figure out how to do it, and see what tools I need, because when it happens on the road, the road is a path that's at least 20 miles from nowhere, and its dark, and it's raining, then it changes to snow.
When all your cigarettes get wet, it becomes an emergency.

 

[Rás Cnoic]

What's the difficulty in replacing the belt?

Most tourers carry a spare belt just in case, especially if riding in remote areas. But they fail only extremely rarely and it's a 5 min job to replace. Plus a spare is light and clean and easy to stash in a bag or pannier. Not sure what the fuss is I mean Rohloff have been making IGHs since the 1980s and have a stellar reputation, especially by long distance tourers who have to rely on their equipment while putting it through hell.

 

[stompandgo]

Tannus inserts can help prevent flats, but when they don't, they are more work than just tubeless to replace. My advice is, if you are concerned about getting flats on this trip, just replace the tires and sealant with high quality tires and sealant before the trip.

Another thing, for trips like this, don't change anything at the last minute. Have the work done, and go for a few rides first before leaving.

You are overthinking this. The Rohloff and Gates belt are the Cummins diesel of drivetrains. As long as your bike has been maintained well, you have nothing to worry about.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

My wife and I plan on riding down the Oregon coast this fall. We have 2 older Zen E Bikes with spare batteries. The bikes have Gates Belts and Rohloff rear axles. So far we have had little trouble with the bikes but I am worried about a 350 mile trip with no breakdowns.

Sounds like a great adventure! Sorry, can't help with the Rohloff and belt question, but I do have a warning about the total lack of bike lanes on many segments of US 101 through the coastal forests of central and southern Oregon.

We drove it 2-3 years ago. Saw many bikepackers and found my mind oscillating between "OMG, what a gorgeous ride that must be!" and "OMG, what dangerous place to ride!"

The narrow, twisty 2-lane forest sections are often full of blind curves and rises with not even a shoulder, much less a bike lane. They also tempt drivers frustrated with slowpokes to make foolhardy passes.

Unfortunately, not many north-south alternatives close to the coast as I recall.

The good news: You can easily screen possible routes for bike infrastructure — or lack thereof — with Google Maps or RideWithGPS with the maps in satellite view.

 

[stompandgo]

Sounds like VT 100. Gorgeous views, bike-aware roads, but varying shoulder widths, lots of travel trailers and motorcycles racing each other, well over the 50mph speed limit.

 

[6zfshdb]

should I invest in those foam inserts that are supposed to prevent flats? Currently using slime.

I used Tannus Armor foam inserts with slime filled tubes successfully for several seasons. I did not deflate the tires when the bike was not in use as recommended by the manufacturer. As a result, when it came time to replce the tires, I found the Tannus inserts had flattened out to about a quarter of their original thickness. This, plus the difficult installation process, made me switch to Mr. Tuffy liners instead. I also switched from Slime to Flat Out due to it's slightly better performance. Two seasons now, and still no flats.

I should also add I use Schwalbe Marathon+ tires, which are highly flat resistant.

 

[stompandgo]

I should also add I use Schwalbe Marathon+ tires, which are highly flat resistant.

Excellent choice.

 

[Gionnirocket]

I think I agree with the consensus here... You might be a little nervous about the trip and over thinking things. Though you might be more familiar with chains, the Gates belt is proven reliable, as is it the Rohloff.
Instead of switching to a chain, I'd spend the time learning everything there is about belt changing and tensioning.
Personally I much prefer to understand how things work as you then realize none of this is rocket science and repairs/adjustments aren't that complicated.
You don't want to approach it like our Eastern European commenter and his colleges that look at it like it's a Rubiks Cube and need an LBS for everything... especially when touring.
I could just see them on the side of the road... one wrenching the axle nut, and four more turning the bike

 

[Aushiker]

So: You remove the thru axle, then somehow remove the belt from the rear sprocket and meanwhile disconnect the cables?
I need to see my friend's Enviolo e-bike to learn helping her.

Pretty much ... no through axle but. Old school skewer. The electrical connection can be removed first. Nothing hard about it.

 

[Aushiker]

Is that a power cable or a wire cable like on a derailleur?
If it's cable actuated, what is electronic about it?

Does it need to be adjusted after reinstalling the wheel (like a derailleur) or is it a simple connector ? (like a motor cable connector)

Power cable. It is electronic shifting (well, my Rohloff is, you can get old school shifting models as well).

 

[Gionnirocket]

Is that a power cable or a wire cable like on a derailleur?
If it's cable actuated, what is electronic about it?

Does it need to be adjusted after reinstalling the wheel (like a derailleur) or is it a simple connector ? (like a motor cable connector)

The electronic version I believe at this point is still only reserved for bikes with a Bosch motor as it ties into the system. Mine is cable actuated and the shift mech just unscrews from the hub.

When you put it back it's the same and no adjustments needed. Takes <30 seconds.

 

[PCeBiker]

I had Tannus inserts, Flat-Out and Mr Tuffy tire liners on my first ebike.
I spent the $240 on Tannus inserts strictly because Tannus says you can ride on a flat tire at 5mph without damaging anything.

That's not true with my Fat Bike with 4" tires.
When the tire goes flat, it falls off the rim and gets jammed in the chainstay.
And the inserts squashed down to the thickness of a quarter, so they're pretty much useless.

On my new ebike I went with just the Schwalbe Super Moto-X tires, heavy-duty innertubes and Flat-Out.

I've had no flats on either ebike, (except one flat on my new ebike that doesn't count, before I added the Flat-Out. )

And I decided to just stay on the gravel roads and carry a $50 bill so I can flag someone down to give me a lift home if I ever need one.
(People have stopped and asked me if I needed help many times when I stopped to swap batteries, tighten my mirrors, or zip-tie my broken display bracket back together.)

 

[Cybersnow]

Learned a lot from this thread! THANKS!
Bike currently has Johnny Watts tires, I think I will switch to the Schwab Marathon + and use FlatOut in the tubes. Secondly I will spend some time learning how to remove and install the rear tire. I will stick with the manual Rohloff for the summer. If the Gates belt continues to be an issue I will have to learn how to adjust it correctly but recognizing the option of replacing it with a chain is still possible. I assume that going to a chain instead of the belt means I need to carry the tools needed to take the chain apart when removing the rear tire when repairing it. Any thoughts on a good air pump to carry? I currently am carrying one that uses a CO2 cartridge … but haven’t needed it yet.

Prior to making the Oregon bike trip, I will do it by car sometime this summer to check out roads, maps, places to stay etc.. Meanwhile there are several 50 to 80 mile bike trails within a few hours drive that will be good testing grounds prior to the multi day trip. Also read that the best time to do the trip is late September to mid October.

 

[Gionnirocket]

Nothing against the Marathon+ tire but I would choose something that fits your riding needs. Schwalbe makes a few tires all with the same flat protection.
Here's a good comparison:

The perfect tire for the SUV bike: 8 models | Schwalbe

Schwalbe SUV bike tires - 8 models for every use. A portrait of our SUV bike tires. Discover now ►

www.schwalbe.com

Note that the Marathon+ tires in this chart are not the street version and I believe not the version that was being recommended....
Personally I went with the Al Grounder because of their bias towards road use. I'm very happy with them and no flats since installed. In my use I didn't like the Johnny Watts at all for their poor street traction, especially when aggressive braking was needed.
The Super Moto X is also a popular tires with bikes like ours

ymmv

 

[Cybersnow]

After looking at your chart, I would agree with the Al Grounder as about 50% of the time we are on asphalt and I am not crazy about the Johnny Watts.

 

[Gionnirocket]

After looking at your chart, I would agree with the Al Grounder as about 50% of the time we are on asphalt and I am not crazy about the Johnny Watts.

One other factor that drew me to Al Grounder tire was that it's available in 27.5 x 2.6. I don't think the Marathon + is available that wide.
The tread is wearing very well now that I have them for 2 years 6000mi. They're far superior on pavement, but not as good as the JW off road. But I'm not riding single track and find them adequate. I often run off the side of the paved trail onto the dirt shoulder to avoid a traffic jam and they handle the back and forth well.
This was the best price I found for them. They ship from Europe but arrived quickly and not folded. $86/pair delivered.

Schwalbe Al Grounder Performance DD R-Guard 27.5´´ x 2.60 rigid MTB tyre, Black | Bikeinn

Get Schwalbe Al Grounder Performance DD R-Guard 27.5´´ x 2.60 in Black for 26.99 $. Ideal for bike with fast delivery. Buy Tires at Bikeinn!

www.tradeinn.com

But again do a little research as you do have options and your needs may be different

Marathon Plus | 35-349 | Tube | WIRED | SmartGuard | ADDIX | Black+Reflex | 2014 | 11100756

THE FLAT-LESS TIRE. Schwalbe‘s best selling model. The most puncture resistant pneumatic tire there is. In addition to the superior puncture protection it features many inner values:ROLLING RESISTANCE. The patented, 5 mm thick SmartGuard layer, when comp…

www.schwalbetires.com