Explorer-1
Have bike, will travel
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No one is forcing them to put kickstands on their bikes. Nice report, another datapoint to consider.
Rohloff Speed hubs on E-bikes (Mechanical and E-14) - Discussion
- Thread starter Ravi Kempaiah
- Start date
You can not make that assumption.
People who have reported problems are not just some new users who signed just to share their problems, most of them are actually well known members.
Explorer-1
Have bike, will travel
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Yes, that is why I think Ravi's theory might be a possibility. I don't think Rohloff hubs are problematic or inherently flawed, they would not be around still, and many customers have seen exceptional performance over incredible distances. So I think something may have changed as they got more popular and more installation on different frames, maybe frame stiffness or alignment issues cause some issue, or maybe just a few unlucky people. I'm more worried about the response I'm hearing about from Rohloff... they may have too big of egos to admit there is some issue. Too stubborn.
Ravi Kempaiah
Well-Known Member
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That was a fantastic read! Thanks for sharing.
I saved it and will read it again because there is so much valuable info in that document.
They have traveled all over the world! I mean I never expected to see a picture of Rohloff on Indian streets. The amount of touring these folks have done on their Rohloff setup is really impressive.
Imo If you buy your bike from a responsible manufacturer like Ravi then you should be fine.
Here the main problem is here the bike manufacturer is not taking any responsibility when the hub fails.
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Explorer-1
Have bike, will travel
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Ya, if Ravi makes a bike that suits my needs, I'll have no worries buying it. If my current bikes hold together and I don't need to replace them, I'm very excited about what my next bike will be, even if I have to build it myself.
mountaindweller
Member
Sure, like wise I have long hauled for years with Rohloff hubs and never had a problem, this is my first touring e-bike and the new e-14/gates drive with only 2500 odd miles on the hub , just hope its a rogue one .
Deacon Blues
Well-Known Member
So, the Rohloff hub can last a long, long time, without issues, on a regular bike, but what about when it's mated to something like the Wattwagons Ultra motor, with 160Nm of torque?
I don't think the designers at Rohloff ever envisioned their hubs being mounted to powerful ebikes, and I'm starting to wonder if I'd be better off going with the Kindernay hub (with zero track record) or a Sram E-tap setup with the WWSuperbike I've ordered. At least with the Sram hub my local bike shop could do the repairs, should it fail.
Also, having to limit the throttle power and recommend not starting the bike in higher assist levels because of possible hub slippage is a bit disconcerting.
The last thing I want is to go with the Rohloff hub and have it fail after the warranty runs out.
I don't think the designers at Rohloff ever envisioned their hubs being mounted to powerful ebikes, and I'm starting to wonder if I'd be better off going with the Kindernay hub (with zero track record) or a Sram E-tap setup with the WWSuperbike I've ordered. At least with the Sram hub my local bike shop could do the repairs, should it fail.
Also, having to limit the throttle power and recommend not starting the bike in higher assist levels because of possible hub slippage is a bit disconcerting.
The last thing I want is to go with the Rohloff hub and have it fail after the warranty runs out.
Explorer-1
Have bike, will travel
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- Boston North Shore
That is a problem many have discussed and possible approaches to remedy that. No, as per the Rohloff specs, 160Nm of torque through the hub is a a very bad idea.
This thing weighs 251kg (549lb), has a 15,500Wh battery and has only 116Nm of torque!
Another perspective
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Another perspective
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pushkar
Well-Known Member
I’ve mentioned this previously and here’s a brief summary. In all cases, the primary issue is throttle. If you tune down the throttle to 750W -1000W, all hubs below will work very well. Note that the pedal assist can remain high (2300w - 3000w).
1. SA 3 speed
2. Nexus 3 speed
3. Rohloff
4. Kindernay.
Ravi Kempaiah
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- Halifax
We have a lot of data when it comes to Rohloff.
A gentleman biked about 12,800 km using a BBS-HD motor (similar to the ultra in power) and a Rohloff hub.
Here's how this solar powered electric bicycle traveled 12,800 km in 64 days from France to China
Jack Butler built a solar powered electric bicycle and raced it 12,800 km from France to China in just 64 days. Here's how he did it.
electrek.co
I remember in one of his videos, he talked about all the mechanical troubles he had and he mentioned that Rohloff was trouble-free for the entire journey.
Ken S
Active Member
Add another leaking E14 to the thread after 6 months & 8,500 km. The weather has been warmer than normal which can contribute to some seepage but even after cooler weather the last few days and my second oil change it's still seeping out over shifter body. Might have had 10ml in hub at oil change. While this volume left in hub should still be ok, it's not ideal in any way. Maybe the seepage will lessen with temperatures but I'm not betting on this based on what I've seen so far.
Will be contacting Rolhoff service center (other side of the country) for recommendations over the next few days, will see what they come up with.
Anyone know of a source for bulk Rolhoff cleaning and hub oil?
Will be contacting Rolhoff service center (other side of the country) for recommendations over the next few days, will see what they come up with.
Anyone know of a source for bulk Rolhoff cleaning and hub oil?
Ken S
Active Member
Never mind on the bulk lubricant, found it on eBay at "good" price especially when compared to the kit.
Is it the relatively newer "All season oil"?
I think (not 100% sure) that they changed the composition a while back to be more compatible with more temperature ranges.
Ken S
Active Member
The oil I've been using has been the all season oil, yes.
mountaindweller
Member
I have been using Rohloff hubs for sometime and I have nothing but highest respect for the level of engineering they brought into the space.
Sure there are Shimano, Sturmey-archer hubs but Rohloff has gained it's reputation for longevity and quality. Have a look at this article that was compiled in 2012 and it provides a batter insight into the role of IGH in E-bikes.
A Rohloff on an Electric Bike
A Rohloff Speed Hub is one of the sweetest pieces of bicycle technology ever invented….right up there with the electric bike and the hub motor. The Speedhub is an internally geared hub (IGH)…www.electricbike.com
Optibike implemented Rohloff in their Ebikes well before Bosch and these hubs held up well even under 2000w of power. There are very few hubs that can do that for thousands of miles without breaking.
I have had very positive experience so far. But, recently I have read reports of problems here by @Alaskan, @dblhelix , @David Berry, who have put in thousands of miles and are key contributors here on the forum. I am not sure if it is a complete failure or just electrical gremlins but it did concern me quite a bit.
Let's have an objective discussion here. Please share your experience (+ or -).
My sister worked for Bosch in Germany ( as an embedded systems engineer, she was involved in the ABS development division) and I have been discussing the E-14 implementation with her and also with Rohloff AG.
They have seen a huge increase in the sales number of E-14 but failure rate has not increased. In many cases, when they received the Rohloff hub, they found that it could have been easily resolved at the dealer level but it was improperly diagnosed.
Hope this discussion helps all Rohloff owners.
Merle Nelson
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
Only read the first page of this thread and a few other posts, not buying a Rohloff hub but when it comes to training service people - YouTube.
Not only can unlimited numbers of service people be trained by well done videos but many problems would be resolved by do it yourself people who had access. (I see the OP is from 2020.)
Not only can unlimited numbers of service people be trained by well done videos but many problems would be resolved by do it yourself people who had access. (I see the OP is from 2020.)
mountaindweller
Member
Just to keep folks informed of my ongoing e-14 leaking gear hub, as you all know this is my 2nd major oil leak in 2 years , (from brand new R&M supercharger) first one it went back from UK to Germany for new oil seals, this time I raised a question ? re: e-14 reliability issues with Rohloff before it went back , granted it was serviced and turned around within 2 weeks , however when I asked them what the fault was, I got this reply.
I regret that I honestly cannot say.
Our service department is completely snowed-under at present in part due to a fatality earlier this year, our current lead time for repairs has extended to approximately 25 working days. Basic/Standard service procedures such as a full re-seal is being done without in-depth analysis as to the cause, in an effort to ensure all hubs are repaired and dispatched back to our customers before we close for our winter vacation. Sorry.
Serious , like it could have a major defect causing the yearly oil leaks , and like they appear to be not bothered, and like if it leaks again , I will have to go through the whole service process again
I emailed them back and explained that time scale wasn't the problem , and would have appreciated a full analysis, and this appears as a quick fix to what could be a major defect, plus I planning a mega tour from the UK to Turkey next year , sure they have said that the gear box will survive on just its basic coating , but its the mess all over the e-14, brake rota, and gates belt that really gets me each time.
Most bike engineers I have spoken to, all state that having 2 oil major oil leaks in 2 years sounds like a bigger problem going on ? as for having numerous oil seal repairs it probably weakens the hub ?
I regret that I honestly cannot say.
Our service department is completely snowed-under at present in part due to a fatality earlier this year, our current lead time for repairs has extended to approximately 25 working days. Basic/Standard service procedures such as a full re-seal is being done without in-depth analysis as to the cause, in an effort to ensure all hubs are repaired and dispatched back to our customers before we close for our winter vacation. Sorry.
Serious , like it could have a major defect causing the yearly oil leaks , and like they appear to be not bothered, and like if it leaks again , I will have to go through the whole service process again
I emailed them back and explained that time scale wasn't the problem , and would have appreciated a full analysis, and this appears as a quick fix to what could be a major defect, plus I planning a mega tour from the UK to Turkey next year , sure they have said that the gear box will survive on just its basic coating , but its the mess all over the e-14, brake rota, and gates belt that really gets me each time.
Most bike engineers I have spoken to, all state that having 2 oil major oil leaks in 2 years sounds like a bigger problem going on ? as for having numerous oil seal repairs it probably weakens the hub ?
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