Rohloff SpeedHub

[John Nettles]

Oh, how I yearn for younger days.  For me personally, it is not so much a leg strength issue as a lung issue.  I only have about 80% lung function due to a disease related to my transplant.  If I walk up a hill, it actually hurts my calfs much more than riding probably because of the weird angle of pushing a bike while walking in bike shoes.  So basically, if I can breathe, I pedal.  It is when I run out of breath that I must stop. 

[staehpj1]

Oh, how I yearn for younger days.  For me personally, it is not so much a leg strength issue as a lung issue.  I only have about 80% lung function due to a disease related to my transplant.  If I walk up a hill, it actually hurts my calfs much more than riding probably because of the weird angle of pushing a bike while walking in bike shoes.  So basically, if I can breathe, I pedal.  It is when I run out of breath that I must stop.

It wouldn't have occurred to me that lungs might be the limiting factor in that, but everyone is different.  I don't think I ever get winded climbing.  Maybe when I had HAPE?  I forget what that was like, it is kind of a blur now.

[John Nettles]

Yep, in my younger skinnier days, I could just dance up hills with ease all day long. After my father passes, I am planning one last "high altitude" tour from Alaska (or NWT) down Mexico.  Probably do a mix of the GDMBR and Utah's Skyline Drive.  I figure by then, I will have the best shot I have of doing that after 2 months of touring before I get to the higher altitude.  For me, that is right around 7,300' before it gets slow going, i.e. pedal 100yds/meters then stop, repeat all day long.  Sort of sucks but hey what is the alternative, not ride??? Nah.

[staehpj1]

Yep, in my younger skinnier days, I could just dance up hills with ease all day long. After my father passes, I am planning one last "high altitude" tour from Alaska (or NWT) down Mexico.  Probably do a mix of the GDMBR and Utah's Skyline Drive.  I figure by then, I will have the best shot I have of doing that after 2 months of touring before I get to the higher altitude.  For me, that is right around 7,300' before it gets slow going, i.e. pedal 100yds/meters then stop, repeat all day long.  Sort of sucks but hey what is the alternative, not ride??? Nah.

Yeah, doing nothing sucks, but there are other fun things besides riding...  It wouldn't kill me to not ride.  I plan to tour more, but I could happily fill the rest of my live with sailing, canoeing, kayaking, hiking and other such activities.  Worst case if riding was no longer possible I could drive around the country and camp, day hike, fish, and so on and still be pretty happy.  At almost 70 I am not there yet, and hopefully not too close to it, but as I get older I realize that possibility may not be all that many years away.  So I figure I should cultivate enjoyment of other activities as well, particularly ones I can do with my wife who has patiently supported all my travels.

[j1of1]

j1of1 - You mention: I wish I had Gates drive - is that not possible on the Nomad?

I know I am really glad with my Gates. No more oil chainges. Just hosing it down with water and ready to go  .

I asked about the Gates drive when I ordered my Thorn Nomad for SJS Cycles in the UK and was told it was not available nor would it be available.  As you are aware you have to have a connector on your chain stay in order to be able to replace the belt (if it ever needs to be replaced) - that was something Thorn wasn't willing to do as it might cause weakness of the chain stay.   There is a possibility Thorn is now installing the Gates drive, but I think that is unlikely.   BTW if you want to see what a bicycle brochure should look like take a look at Thorn's Mega Brochure - it contains a wealth of information for ANYONE that tours.  Go here:  http://www.sjscycles.com/thornpdf/thorn_mega_brochure.pdf

[Inge]

John, I am going by what Santos has agreed with Rohloff - all I know is that I now have a smaller gear ratio than I have on my gravel bike (24tx36t) and that on the Rohloff gear1 allows me to pedal around 3/4km and gear 14 gets me to around 30km per hour. According to Santos this is a very light gearing system which until roughly a year ago would not fall under Rohloff warantee.

Just checked the cogs again and I have 46x22T - sorry for the mix up  - do not know why I got the numbers confused but anyway brings it to the following ratio: https://gear-calculator.com/?GR=RLSH&KB=46&RZ=22&UF=2240&TF=90&SL=2.6&UN=KMH&DV=ratio

[John Nettles]

 

Ok, I checked at Rohloff and the lowest permissible ratio is 1.9 (or 2.5 if bike, rider, gear, is over 100kg or about 220 pounds) as shown about halfway down the page https://www.rohloff.de/en/experience/technology-in-detail/specifications/  Your ratio is 2.09 so you are good.  You could go even lower if you wanted to.

[Inge]

John - thanks for checking  . Guess that gives indeed a bit of extra wiggle room (changing the 22t into a 24t).  Do not think that would make a huge difference though.

[TCS]

...the Gates drive...As you are aware you have to have a connector on your chain stay in order to be able to replace the belt (if it ever needs to be replaced)

There is now the Veer Belt Drive.  With the Veer system, the belt is split, not the frame stay.  I've read a couple of reviews but don't know anything further.

[Gus]

I would like to thank everyone for their feedback. Sorry for the delayed response. Its a big decision to get a Rohloff. Thanks again for all the advice.

[Inge]

What have you decided?

[Gus]

I think I will go with a derailleur chain system. It’s simple. I can work on it. The cost. I don’t mind doing maintenance. A Rohloff is a nice luxury. Lol. The money I save there I can put to good use on other areas of the bike. Thanks again for all your help. Getting back into bike touring and a lot has changed. Always good to listen to cyclists who use what your inquiring about.

[j1of1]

Good luck to you!  Remember it is all about the journey and not the equipment.  You can have a great time on a beater bike.  Keep the wind to your back!

[ray b]

I have asked about drivetrains before. This question is specific to the Rohloff. For cyclist who have toured with them, do you or have you had any problems with them? Leaking oil things like that. Any regrets on getting one? Do you wish that you stayed with a standard chain derailleur system? I have read several articles with the pros and cons. I know they are expensive. Just wanted feedback from cyclist who use them. Thanks.

No.
No problems. No regrets.
Have toured exclusively with Rohloffs on and off road. Minimal maintenance.

[dashely]

I have asked about drivetrains before. This question is specific to the Rohloff. For cyclist who have toured with them, do you or have you had any problems with them? Leaking oil things like that. Any regrets on getting one? Do you wish that you stayed with a standard chain derailleur system? I have read several articles with the pros and cons. I know they are expensive. Just wanted feedback from cyclist who use them. Thanks.

I have a Rohloff on my touring bike.
It is great when it works.
I however ended up with a bike that would not pedal in any gear on a tour. Please note I called my bike builder about the fact the rim of my rear wheel moved about 1/8inch to the side with the wheel in the rear triangle and axle tightened. After they called Rohloff I was told to cycle the last 250 miles of my trip and then send the wheel and hub in to them. The hub locked up so that I could not pedal at about 150 miles. After pushing and coasting 10 miles I made it to a town where some friends picked me up. However hub works fine and I have put another 2500 miles on the hub no problem.
There is no local fixing the hub when it has problems.

The only cost for the repair was sending my full bike to the shop, and I only had to pay that as I sent the whole bike S&S due to the fact I couldn't get it a ride the other 90 miles as my friends car was full and only enough room for me.