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

[PCeBiker]

The Germans make Knipex tools too.
The best that money can buy.

 

[Gionnirocket]

Updated to original post, page 1
12/22/23 - General Update
I cannot believe how nice this Rohloff hub is, especially coupled to a Bafang Ultra.
It runs flawlessly, no adjustments, no problems. Very refined piece of German engineering.

I'm with you 100%
Dont think I can ever go back to a derailure or the BBS* series motor either.

 

[Tom@WashDC]

6/20/24 - Update To Orignial Thread
A few months ago I replaced the 16T rear cog with a 13T rear cog to achieve a more desired gear ratio. I wanted more top end. The change was nice, more top with some still serious climbing ability.
After a few months of riding, the 13T cog broke in two. I surmise that becuase it is made of much less steel than the 16T cog, it could not handle the continued stress of the Bafang Ultra. I reinstalled the 16T cog, I'm going to move to a 50T chainring intead of my 40T chainring.

 

[blueskyca]

Great writeup. It's interesting that even Amazon is now selling the Rohloff Speedhub.

 

[Tom@WashDC]

Great writeup. It's interesting that even Amazon is now selling the Rohloff Speedhub.

Thanks!
Yeah Rohloff hubs have been available on Amazon for a while. Understand, I do not believe these are hubs and parts are being sold by Rohloff authorized distributors or service/sales centers.

Worldwide - Rohloff AG

www.rohloff.de

 

[Tom@WashDC]

It's been 15 months since I installed the Rohloff hub on my Luna Z1 eMTB.
The hub has operated flawlessly without a single adjustment.
I really love this hub and could never go back to the ol' derailleur system.

 

[greeno]

Hey Tomas my buddy that went with the Rohloff on his bike is still in love with his also.
I think we did his bike right after you paved the way.
Only complaint I constantly hear from him is he is only able to put a 203 disc on the rear as opposed to a 220 which he had previously on the bike when he had a derailer system.
Other than that he's happy as a clam.

Im sure your aware of the oil volume addendum that Rohloff came out with like a year ago as to add less oil going back in than previously spec-ed.
I think they cut in almost 1/2.
Evidently there were some leaks, not like the Kinderlays but still some nonetheless.

Take care.

 

[Tom@WashDC]

Hey Tomas my buddy that went with the Rohloff on his bike is still in love with his also.
I think we did his bike right after you paved the way.
Only complaint I constantly hear from him is he is only able to put a 203 disc on the rear as opposed to a 220 which he had previously on the bike when he had a derailer system.
Other than that he's happy as a clam.

Im sure your aware of the oil volume addendum that Rohloff came out with like a year ago as to add less oil going back in than previously spec-ed.
I think they cut in almost 1/2.
Evidently there were some leaks, not like the Kinderlays but still some nonetheless.

Take care.

Hey thaks for the feedback. The hub is sweet and I am stoked every time I ride at how precise the shifting is while riding very agressive mtb trails. Never a missed gear, always the correct gear on demand, whether moving or at a dead stop. Yes I was pleased to see the oil requirements were halved.

~Best

 

[greeno]

Hey Tom just wanted to report that my friend that has the Rohloff on his Ultra powered bike is now having issues with it slipping intermittently when in gear.
Not necessarily when under max load like when climbing but also on the flats just cruising along.

We were’t sure if it was the hub or motor so we swapped out the motor to a spare I had and it still had the same issue so we knew it was hub related.

Chainring, chain, rear cog, and tensioner are all good so…
We checked the shifter cables and they were spot on but my buddy wanted to replace those to make sure just in case and the problem is still there.
He also ordered some new pawl springs to see if that helps and when they get here we’ll pop them in and see if it makes a difference or not.
He talked to a guy a cycle monkey and he said the hub wasn’t rated for the 160nm of torque that the Ultra provides.

To be fair my buddy rides 99% in mode 3 and is not shy with his throttle so that might be a contributor as well.
It’s out of warrenty and from what he can find out having it serviced closest to us is on the east coast and about a month turnaround.

So it looks like we’ll be stealing some parts from a spare bike he has to set it up with a derailer rear end until he can sort this all out.
Just wanted to post up on his issue.
Will update when I know more.

 

[il Munduato]

Hey Tom just wanted to report that my friend that has the Rohloff on his Ultra powered bike is now having issues with it slipping intermittently when in gear.
Not necessarily when under max load like when climbing but also on the flats just cruising along.

We were’t sure if it was the hub or motor so we swapped out the motor to a spare I had and it still had the same issue so we knew it was hub related.

Chainring, chain, rear cog, and tensioner are all good so…
We checked the shifter cables and they were spot on but my buddy wanted to replace those to make sure just in case and the problem is still there.
He also ordered some new pawl springs to see if that helps and when they get here we’ll pop them in and see if it makes a difference or not.
He talked to a guy a cycle monkey and he said the hub wasn’t rated for the 160nm of torque that the Ultra provides.

To be fair my buddy rides 99% in mode 3 and is not shy with his throttle so that might be a contributor as well.
It’s out of warrenty and from what he can find out having it serviced closest to us is on the east coast and about a month turnaround.

So it looks like we’ll be stealing some parts from a spare bike he has to set it up with a derailer rear end until he can sort this all out.
Just wanted to post up on his issue.
Will update when I know more.

If the hub is not showing any other issues than randomly slipping I would start with replacing the freewheel springs.
Relatively easy to change these $4 parts.
Watch the axle ring/plate video as they are located underneath.

or

 

[greeno]

Well that’s good to hear about the springs.
He recieved them yesterday so we’ll probably swap them out today or tomorrow and maybe get lucky.
He’s allready looking at another hub if this one doesn’t pan out.
I think there called 3x3 bike hubs.
9 spd and like 554% ratio plus it’s rated for 250nm of torque.
They state ZERO maintenance and no oil changes as their grease is somehow superhuman.
Cost is? Made in Germany so…
They do have a service center in Colorado so there’s that.
Will update when I know more.
Going for a ride.

 

[il Munduato]

Well that’s good to hear about the springs.
He recieved them yesterday so we’ll probably swap them out today or tomorrow and maybe get lucky.
He’s allready looking at another hub if this one doesn’t pan out.
I think there called 3x3 bike hubs.
9 spd and like 554% ratio plus it’s rated for 250nm of torque.
They state ZERO maintenance and no oil changes as their grease is somehow superhuman.
Cost is? Made in Germany so…
They do have a service center in Colorado so there’s that.
Will update when I know more.
Going for a ride.

Good luck, hopefully it's this simple.

Saw the 3 x 3
Not sure it would work for me as I like the tighter spacing of the Rohloff gears and being able to dial in the perfect gear. I don't think I ride as aggressive as your counterpart.
Also why I prefer a 9 PAS setup on the Ultra.. you can get very granular with the programming and have just the amount of assistance desired.

 

[greeno]

It’s funny when my buddy ordered his frame and motor he upgraded the motor for 2300w.
So he has 5 modes for eco and 5 modes for sport ( higher watts).
He only ever rides in the eco mode as the higher range is way too much.
So he wasted his $ on getting the upgraded wattage.
Were gonna do the springs Monday AM so we’ll see if it does anything.

 

[Deacon Blues]

It’s funny when my buddy ordered his frame and motor he upgraded the motor for 2300w.
So he has 5 modes for eco and 5 modes for sport ( higher watts).
He only ever rides in the eco mode as the higher range is way too much.
So he wasted his $ on getting the upgraded wattage.
Were gonna do the springs Monday AM so we’ll see if it does anything.

I have two WW bikes with the 2300W X1 controller and I also only ride in the eco mode. Every once in the while I'll go up to a power level in sport mode, but for the most part I ride in the lower power ranges.
If I had it to do again I would have stayed with the stock Ultra and not ordered the ultra with the X1 controller.
If/when I have to replace one or both of my motors I'll replace them with stock Ultras.

I took my Hydra out for a ride a couple of days ago and I noticed a loud clicking noise coming from (I think) my Kindernay hub. It was loud enough for the riders behind me to mentioned the noise.
The shifting was normal and near the end of the ride the noise stopped.
I have to wonder if this is a sign that my Kindernay hub will, in the near future, pack it in.

 

[greeno]

Well bad news as far as the spring replacement fixing the issue.
Didn’t think it would make much difference but know he knows.
So it looks like he’s gonna go for the 3x3 hub but that’s going to be a process to get the hub as the only shop in the US is in Colorado.
Don’t know if they have to have the bike to “fit” up all the dimensions for axle length, dropout thickness etc. like he had to go through for his Rohloff.
I will probably start a separate thread for that and not eat up any more space here. Probably go under Bafang to document seeing how his bike brand isn’t covered on this site.
Thanks for listening and the helpful suggestions.

 

[il Munduato]

Well that sucks.
The springs can cause gear slipping so I thought you might get lucky.

Yeah let us know about the process and how things go with the 3x3

 

[Tom@WashDC]

Update on the Rohloff hub operation since my original installation on page 1

• Ridden it 4,000 miles, 70% off-road, aggressively.
• I removed my throttle and 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/derailleur system.