Rohloff hub + shift = mush

[DanRichman]

I am riding with my first Rohloff hub and have 700+ miles on it. I am not impressed by the way it shifts, using the twist grip.

In my experience, the shifting can best be described as mushy. It is completely lacking in crisp detents, like an indexed derailleur system, that tell you without question that you have changed gears and are now in gear.

The result is that I sometimes begin pedaling again while between gears, with predictably unpleasant results. I also occasionally find myself shifted in a far higher gear than I expected, which is baffling. Is this a function of the funky shifting, or what?

I have adjusted both shifter cables using the knurled adjusters near the hub and have succeeded in loosening up the twist-grip a bit. But that doesn't improve the quality of the shifting. The whole thing feels mis-adjusted, but I fear it isn't. My dealer has checked it out and said it's fine.

This is what everyone raves about??

I would very much appreciate suggestions on how to improve the shifting. I've heard premium cable could make a difference. Probably electronic shifting would help, but so far as I know, it remains unclear whether that will be retrofittable. And in any case, is this the best I can expect from the twist-grip shifter?

Any knowledgeable opinions would be most welcome. Many thanks!

 

[Mr. Coffee]

"Mushy" for a Rohloff is weird and something is obviously very wrong.

One suggestion is to remove the little cap that holds the cables in place and use a small wrench to shift the hub directly (always always always shift into gear 1 before removing that cap and shift back to gear 1 when putting the cap back on). If turning the wrench feels mushy chances are the problem is inside the hub. Conversely, if the turning the wrench doesn't feel mushy you are probably having a cable issue.

Freewheeling and getting dropped briefly into 14th gear typically happens when you don't completely shift. On the Rohloffs I've used there is always a pretty positive "click" feeling when I shift into a gear.

Overtightening the axle bolts or QR skewers can make some bad things happen to the hub. So make sure they aren't overtightened (35nm for an axle bolt and 7nm for a QR, according to their FAQ).

I'd also consider changing the oil in the hub.

Out of curiosity, has this been an ongoing problem since you got the bike or is this something that started recently?

 

[DanRichman]

This has been the case since I got the bike.

You make some excellent suggestions, and I'll follow up on them. Thanks!

 

[Ravi Kempaiah]

Unlike the standard derailleur, you will have to completely let off power (pedal torque) so the hub can complete the shift process.
Any hint of pedal torque, the hub refuses to shift crisply!

Rohloff is perfect for non E-bikes but slowly, some of the kinks of Rohloff+mid-drive combo are being ironed out in the E-14 system.

 

[DanRichman]

Ravi -- I know that, and I do that. It's not the problem. Thanks, though.

 

[Mr. Coffee]

I am not a Rohloff wizard but I found this thread about Rohloffs slipping. While dated, there is a wealth of information about troubleshooting Rohloff hubs.

 

[DanRichman]

I have largely resolved the issue of stiff and mushy shifting, thanks to a talented mechanic here in Seattle. Aaron, of Rat City Bikes in White Center (south of downtown), spent 1.5 hours working on my bike this morning, allowing me to look on. He advertises himself as a Rohloff specialist, and that he proved to be.

I learned a lot. Here's what he said, and I'm quoting unless otherwise indicated:

-The internal routing of the shift cables on the Supercharger requires a lot of turns, which makes for stiffer shifting. One fix would be to route it on the outside, attaching stand-offs to the down tube and chain stay as necessary. To me that's drastic. Less drastic was turning the bike 90 degrees, so the front was facing downwards; detaching the shift cables from the hub fittings; and squirting lubricant down them. Sure enough, it came dripping out the bottom end. He also cut some burrs (or something) off the shifter ends of the cables -- something he said should have been done before delivery.

After he also thoroughly lubed the hub and changed the hub's oil, I found that the shifting was much improved. It was easier to turn the shifter, there was some play, and there was a pronounced detent for each gear.

It certainly doesn't have the satisfying "click" of an indexed derailleur-based system, but I would consider the problem 75% solved. He said this was as good as could reasonably be expected without rerouting. New cabling would not make a difference. The lubricant will last an indefinite period but can always be reapplied.

-He also tightened the belt to fall within the specified range. It had been too loose, which can cause skipping (this wasn't happening to me).

Lesson learned: My R&M dealership is super nice, and I will continue to use them for routine maintenance. For more specialized service, I will seek out a highly skilled mechanic like Aaron. I found him by searching online for "Rohloff expert Seattle."

I hope this helps anyone who might encounter this situation.

 

[Alaskan]

Dan, good info here. I think I'll pay Aaron a visit soon. I'll touch base when I nail down the day and get in touch. I've never done any part of the Burke Gillman.

 

[DanRichman]

Sure thing! Let's ride before the monsoon sets in. Tell Aaron I sent you.

 

[Alaskan]

I'm thinking next Wednesday early to mid afternoon.

 

[DanRichman]

Taking this offline . . . sent you a private message.