Performance Report: Installed a Rohloff IGH on my Luna Z1 Bafang Ultra Mag in April 2023

[Tom@WashDC]

I installed a Rohloff Speedhub 14 IGH on my Luna Z1 mid drive Bafang Ultra Mag back in April 2023.
Here is my installation thread:

Installed a Rohloff Speedhub 14, IGH on my mid-drive Luna Z1 Ultra Mag

After a year of researching, speaking to owners and dealers of the Rohloff Speedhub, I've decided to ditch my 12-speed cog/derailleur system and install the Rohloff Speedhub 14 IGH on on my carbon fiber Luna Z1 Ultra Mag. The kit arrived by UPS today. I'm very excited to build the wheel, install...

forums.electricbikereview.com

• Ridden it 4,000 miles, 70% off-road, aggressively.
• I removed my throttle, and I ride torque sensing only.
• I have had zero problems with the hub.
• It performs beyond my wildest expectations.
• Shifts perfectly every time.
• I've never had to adjust the shifting mechanism.
• Shifts faster and more reliably than a cog system.
• Minimal maintenance:
  • I've chaged the oil three times
  • Replaced the chain once.

I could never go back to the old cog system.

 

[Slaphappygamer]

That’s awesome to hear! Thanks for all the great detail.

 

[greeno]

Glad to hear your’s is still rolling strong.
You might not remember but a buddy of mine went that way after using your thread as a bit of a guide.
He blew his up and now has a 3x3 nine 9spd hub.
Evidently it has a higher torque rating than the Rohloff.

Get this… He originally had the 2300w version motor he got from WW and even though he rode 100% of the time in the lower max settings ( up to 1000w ) and not the higher range he was gun shy about using his new hub with the same motor.
So…. I had a spare back up bare bones motor, 1000w version that he bought from me AND had me tune down the software to 21a max and lower ALL the relevant settings so as not to stress this new one out.
Then he complains about about it being gutless.
So… I had to tune it up for him to a higher level to satisfy him.

We’ve been riding every Tuesday Am for 3-4 yrs or so and he’s still all about using his throttle and typically runs in level 4 for the most part.

Been riding my Levo for about 6 mos and I can still drop him, except on long climbs where he can power up and go faster than I can.

I’ll be sure and tell him your hub is still going strong.

 

[Tom@WashDC]

Glad to hear your’s is still rolling strong.
You might not remember but a buddy of mine went that way after using your thread as a bit of a guide.
He blew his up and now has a 3x3 nine 9spd hub.
Evidently it has a higher torque rating than the Rohloff.

Get this… He originally had the 2300w version motor he got from WW and even though he rode 100% of the time in the lower max settings ( up to 1000w ) and not the higher range he was gun shy about using his new hub with the same motor.
So…. I had a spare back up bare bones motor, 1000w version that he bought from me AND had me tune down the software to 21a max and lower ALL the relevant settings so as not to stress this new one out.
Then he complains about about it being gutless.
So… I had to tune it up for him to a higher level to satisfy him.

We’ve been riding every Tuesday Am for 3-4 yrs or so and he’s still all about using his throttle and typically runs in level 4 for the most part.

Been riding my Levo for about 6 mos and I can still drop him, except on long climbs where he can power up and go faster than I can.

I’ll be sure and tell him your hub is still going strong.

Sorry to hear that he busted the hub. One thing I have done is eliminate my throttle. I never used it while riding, the torque sensing really works well for me. I've been running the full 30A on my Ultra with no problems. Out of curiosity, do you remember how many teeth he was running on the front and rear sprockets. I'be got mine sized at 50T front, 16T rear, which keeps me well within the Rohloff tourque guidleines.

Question, if he overtorqued his hub, the sheer pins should have given way preventing any damage to the hub and they cost about $10. What actually happend to his hub?

 

[greeno]

Pretty sure he was running a 16t cog on the rear and probably a 50t chainring as well.
The issue with his was getting intermittent shifting or slipping on his middle gear range.
Not necessarily under heavy load but just riding on the flats so we replaced some springs which did nothing.
He recently just sent it back east somewhere to NY I think to have it serviced and He’s got another bike he is going to put it on as he’s all in with the 3x3 nine hub.
Time will tell.
Glad your doing well.

 

[Tom@WashDC]

Pretty sure he was running a 16t cog on the rear and probably a 50t chainring as well.
The issue with his was getting intermittent shifting or slipping on his middle gear range.
Not necessarily under heavy load but just riding on the flats so we replaced some springs which did nothing.
He recently just sent it back east somewhere to NY I think to have it serviced and He’s got another bike he is going to put it on as he’s all in with the 3x3 nine hub.
Time will tell.
Glad your doing well.

Gotcha. Thanks for the info

 

[Gionnirocket]

Pretty sure he was running a 16t cog on the rear and probably a 50t chainring as well.
The issue with his was getting intermittent shifting or slipping on his middle gear range.
Not necessarily under heavy load but just riding on the flats so we replaced some springs which did nothing.
He recently just sent it back east somewhere to NY I think to have it serviced and He’s got another bike he is going to put it on as he’s all in with the 3x3 nine hub.
Time will tell.
Glad your doing well.

Not sure if it's really an issue. . .

On the flip... I'm lovin' the Rohloff too.
Can't say that I'm a power rider but I do take it off road and with the Ultra... that bitch can climb.
44t/16th so a little closer to the Rohloff lowest gear ratio of 2.5:1
28A max global current but I'm mostly under 10a throughout a majority of the ride. I do spike and sometimes sustain over 20a on long hill climbs.
ymmv

 

[Tom@WashDC]

Not sure if it's really an issue. . .

View attachment 189197



On the flip... I'm lovin' the Rohloff too.
Can't say that I'm a power rider but I do take it off road and with the Ultra... that bitch can climb.
44t/16th so a little closer to the Rohloff lowest gear ratio of 2.5:1
28A max global current but I'm mostly under 10a throughout a majority of the ride. I do spike and sometimes sustain over 20a on long hill climbs.
ymmv

I cannot believe how sweet it is when paired with the ever powerful Ultra. A total pleasure to ride, glad you are digging yours as well.

 

[Gionnirocket]

I cannot believe how sweet it is whenpaired with the ever powerful Ultra. A total pleasure to ride, glad you are digging yours as well.

Finally got all the bugs and installation hacks squared away on the bike.
But even when just received and not as it should have been.. It was still better than a derailleur!