Sean, would love hear about what you think of both the bike and the Rohloff E14/Gates Belt drive. I went very (very) close to buying the EBOXX (Rohloff E14) this time last March. The only reason I did not was because I couldn't test ride the bike - a lot of money without test riding one. I had it on order and was about to arrange payment and shipping... but ended up with the Turbo Levo which is a great bike too.
@@FamilymoirGoogleAccount Good that you held out because now you waited just long enough to get the 2020 model with the new gen 4 Bosch engine. Before getting the eboxx i actually had a levo hardtail from 2017, Can't actually speak to the new turbo levo because I haven't ridden one but compared to my levo hardtail the eboxx is much more playful. Maybe I will go to my local specialized dealer this week and test one out just to compare. But I must say ridding the eboxx feels like a league of its own entirely
@@FamilymoirGoogleAccount Posted a first look at my Eboxx check if out if you have the time ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-O9bvd20_cj4.html
2500km. I do that in 2 months 🚴🤣 Love my Rohloff. maintenance is dead easy. I do about 13k km a year, so it's 3 deep cleans, new oil. I found the large tubs of oil and cleaner loads cheaper. I tour, so really smash the KM's. great video
10 years after my first, I just bought my second Rohloff bike (both in use), now with a belt. I intend to use it for bikepacking and mountainbiking. The only downside is that you can't run multiple wheelsets with different kind of tires. Kindernay has a great solution for that, unfortunately there are no long time reviews of it. Can't take the chance. Cleaning a drivetrain in cold winter weather now is fast and fun. No more cold wet hands.
So presumably, either the spindle pulls out of the hub to allow fitting/removal? Or the Levo has a slotted rear wheel frame bracket? Certainly my Orbea rise has no slotted bracket. It’s an eye, so the spindle will have to pull through the hub. Or have I misunderstood? Certainly wheel removal for tyres / tubes/ punctures would be more involved, no? And also presumably the hub is rated for 70-90 nm torque from an emotor?
Nice review and would be nice for the comming winter in Belgium, so some questions what gear ratio you ride, what is your front chainring? Also how about the magnet on the the disc for the speed sensor. So happy that people thinking outside the box. Greetz Bert beike
Front chainring is a standard Praxis 36t and rear is a 16t. The gearing is a slightly larger range than the standard Levo gearing - Rohloff has a 526% range, compared to 490-500%. Rohloff make a replacement magnet that clips into the Rohloff 4-bolt rotor.
Sorry about the KOMs Ken,... I'm off to Derby tomorrow for a week. Can't help but love going quick, really great trails the Wild Mersey network! And Rohloff does have an electronic shifter setup, but only for the Bosch motor right now (in saying that, I don't think it's quick enough for mtb'ing - I prefer the manual twist shift for now). Might have to get together for a ride on our last week - probably be back staying near Penguin last week of March.
Alastair, my apologies as it looks as though I have never responded to your question... I normally receive an email to say someone has commented? This video may answer some questions... have a look at this vimeo.com/346199290, or forward your email address and I will pass a pdf copy of this to you. You must have either a 32 hole or 36 hole rim to fit the Rohloff Speedhub. The Rohloff Speedhub will fit most frames... although if it is a 12mm thru-axle, you will need to run a measurement process kit to see if this is possible for your frame (see video above which will explain).
Olivier, firstly sorry for the long delay in repsonding... I missed this comment. I don't understand your question - are going to send me some pictures just to look at? Or are you sending some picture so I can assess/give you guidance on how to do a Kenevo Rohloff conversion?
Sorry, have only just seen this comment and question... have a look over this video (vimeo.com/346199290). I have it in pdf format if you send me your email address.
Im menchanically inclined, is the list of part listed at the beginning of the video all that is needed? I can have the wheel built and do the rest myself. Also, have you created or know of a turorial for installation. I think its a great idea and seems to work very well... Thanks for the video..
George, there is no list of parts or items required. You will need to go to your Rohloff distributor and firstly have the frame/axle confirmed as suitable by using the Rohloff A12 measurement process (this is a special kit you must use). Once that process is completed and approved by Rohloff, most of the parts will form part of that approval process when you order the Speedhub. There is a document I put out to answer some questions and may help you understand the process better (I can send you a pdf of this if you pass me your email). This is the video version... vimeo.com/346199290
@@FamilymoirGoogleAccount Fabulous work, very good descriptions. I am awaiting 2021 Levos, all sold out in my area in California. Currently riding my 31 year old unsprung Rockhopper, so am only imagining the improvements. Where I ride is super hilly. In fact, about 30 years ago I invested in a quad ring, 16 tooth front sprocket, coupled with the 32 tooth largest rear sprocket is the only way I can get up some hills. And there are still some I can't. But I am also getting a bit long in the tooth, having just turned 70. I am SO intrigued with what you have accomplished, and the Gates belt (or splittable version you mentioned). Can you send me more info on what you have now, and what you hope to have with the latest (and perhaps not quite available) tech? I will probably ride the Comp as is for a bit, so no real rush. I am going with the Comp as I have been reading that Brose 1.3 failures due to heat are slightly less common in aluminum frames. The theory being that the aluminum will help dissipate the heat a bit better than carbon fiber. I see that Zerode is about to release a Gates belt upgrade kit, and looking at the pictures, it appears to be mounted to the motor area. I am imagining a bolt on plate using Levo mounting screws to hold the tensioner. Your thoughts on this will be also greatly appreciated. And one last request, can you tell me the lowest gear ratio you have, and perhaps what you expect in your next Rohloff SpeedHub? Thanx again, Paul Master
Sounds and looks great. What I don't understand and not able to find how I can calculate the ratio (or distance) for each gear. I can calculate this for derailleur setup for let us say 38 with 10-50 for 700cx 38mm. But can I do this with Rohloff with a chainring and sprocket
If you are still looking for the information, or if someone wants to know, the best way to find it is using a gear ratio calculator like this one: www.gear-calculator.com/?GR=DERS&KB=24. You can choose Rohloff a the hub and choose the chairing and sprocket to achieve the ratio you are looking for. I'm glad I found this when I made the conversion. Otherwise, I would have had really low ratios with the chainring I had before and the default sprocket that comes with the Rohloff.
Watch this space... I am just completing a new video now focused on the Rohloff used for mountain biking, and there are detailed explanations and video clips of steep climb gear changes. One is up a loose gravel 34% steep grade fire road. The answer is yes and the Rohloff has the equivalent to one lower gear and one higher gear than a derailleur system such as your 34x50t. Cheers Paul.
Cannot use a belt on a full-suspension (unless you have a properly engineered custom tensioner to suit that bike, frame and constant belt tension). I would like to :-)
No, it is not that simple. You cannot use “just a normal tensioner”. Belt tension for a Gates drive is critical and must be kept strong and constant... there are only a few full suspension mtb with Gates drive worldwide. Have a look at the Nicolai EBOXX E14 - these are specially engineered and design fir each frame and Gates drive.
The Rohloff cables do not run through the chain stay - the brake line does on the left, the derailleur on the right. The Rohloff cables run through the frame, over the motor and exit where the brake line exits from the left-hand motor cover. Then the Rohloff cables are simply cable tied to the outside of lower left chain stay arm.
Sorry for the delayed response, but I have only just seen this comment you posted Edward. There is no kit, but you can ask your local Rohloff dealer if they can do the conversion or recommend someone to do it (I'm assuming you are not in Australia?). The Rohloff itself being built into a suitable wheel is straightforward, however you need a skilled mechanic or skilled tradesman to install the internal cabling and the few minor modifications required.
I have to ask Martin, have you ridden a Kindernay or a Rohloff? I ask because you say “I would think Kindernay is a better way…”? The wonderful think about being a consumer is that you can choose whatever product you want for any reason. And part of that choice is liking one product over another… that’s why we all love our freedom of choice.
@@FamilymoirGoogleAccount ridden both, although only ridden early stage Kindernay. The swap cage makes it much more versatile, hence a better choice imo.
hi do you need a special frame to use the rohloff i currently ride a old 2018 gt pentera ebike at the moment .. what kind of cash would i be looking at for a upgrade thanks
Thanks for this, looks really nice (apart from the cost !), but brings a couple of questions to mind. The Levo is known for its fluidity and 'playfullness' on the trails, so how does the extra weight out on the back affect this, have you had to tinker with the suspension at all and and are the jump and 'flight' characteristic changed at all? Also, since you rightfully stress the hassle free maintenance advantages and the rear frame can be split, why not a Gates Carbon Belt ? Not got around to it, or do you have a specific reason against it?
Jeremy, would love the Gates carbon belt drive... but you need a very good, well engineered tensioner arrangement to provide consistent belt tension. Belt tension is a primary and critical factor and with a full suspension bike and it is not just a component you can buy (Nicolai with their EBOXX E14 has done one - beautifully engineered and manufactured design). As for the handling, I have added 2kg to my Levo - the Rohloff around 0.6-0.8kg plus the DT Swiss rim upgrades and I am running Cushcore - so the wheels are heavier all round. Yes, I tuned the suspension for the new Rohloff wheel and the other additions. To be honest it felt very much the same - although with jumping I thought it was better balanced (but that could have been suspension tuning as well). It is still playful and great on flowy trails - nothing much has changed... with I guess the proof of the handling being the race and Strava results (the Rohloff certainly hasn't slowed the Levo down and it handles like it always has). Cheers Paul.
@@FamilymoirGoogleAccount Yes I am very interested in seeing if they could get the canbus calibration working for the e-14 and the brose motors on the levos. Also, wondering how these might work with the newer lower powered SL levo's, even the a12.
Dustin D it is not likely to happen any time soon... the market is not big enough. Rohloffs focus is on developing the software with a couple specific motors only at this time... the Brose is a one off with a relatively very small market.
Sometimes, belts don't like the power produced by an e-bike. The tensioning for a full-suspension can be problematic. Belts are much easier to set up on an e-bike with a rigid rear triangle and sliding dropouts.
There's no much sense for rohloff in mtb if you're using a chain instead of belt. You have full suspension frame, so you can install gates drivetrain. Just order tensioner compatible with your motor
Not much sense using a chain with a Rohloff? Answer: the majority of Rohloff owners use a chain - both a chain and belt are great. Gates Belt on a full suspension mtb? Answer: no you cannot simply buy a tensioner to suit the motor. And no you cannot simply fit a tensioner to a full suspension mtb… you require a custom engineered tensioner for each specific frame to ensure constant belt tension. Belt tension is critical - you cannot simply fit a tensioner (only one or two manufacturers have done it… Nicolai is one and it is a custom engineered tensioner to suit that frame)
@@FamilymoirGoogleAccount not every frame can be used with belt, that for sure. But the main problem is usually clashing chainstay shape. When IT comes to tensioner, there's not that much a problem with that. Example can be pinion BT1 belt tensioner that fits wide range od bikes with pinion gearbox, you just need to adjust it with using different bolt holes. I have electric bike with rohloff e14 and it don't have Perfect tension in every pivot position. You just need a specific range of force that allows your belt working properly. On my stiff touring bike I can loose belt significantly and it works event better. In fact there are much morę than 2 brands that uses belt tensioner. I have plans to fit kindernay XIV (which is better than rohloff im every area) info electric enduro bike and ride it just like you do and i think i might use specialized levo frame for that. I just need to make sure that chainstay will not collide with the belt on cartain travel range, tensioner is not a problem, couse i have CNC milling mashine. Perfect example is zerode katipo, when you want to switch from chain to belt you need to change chanstay tube to fit belt perfectly. It's hard to fit belt perfectly into a frame, but its possible. And you can do it less perfect, it don't have to be from factory. I don't have rohloff a12 (I have CC) and I'm using it on 142x12 frame, i just made some changes and it works and fits perfectly, I would say that I did better design than rohloff itself.
Best of luck with your modifications and bikes. Belt tension must be constant, that is critical for “reliability” and that is not possible on a full suspension bike - unless you fit a custom designed and engineered tensioner. Without a custom engineered tensioner you will compromise reliability.
