[dgdixon]

I have been having a blast for the last 2 months with my new Sugar 292 built up with a Rohloff Speedhub. The pics are from a muddy China Camp ride this weekend.

The frame is a 2004 that I got from MTBR classifieds, but after getting it, I found out that the fisker/trek add-on disk brake adaptor (common on many of their brands) mounts on the inside of the dropout and prevents using a Rohloff hub. Now after using the Rohloff for 3 1/2 years on my 29er hardtail I was not about to give it up, and finally had to create my own combination disc brake mount/Rohloff adaptor (shown in the pic).

All of the other parts are from my old bike with the exception of the 06 REBA with poplock (really enjoying this fork). Based on the recommendations of others on this forum I also installed the Sybil link to push the rear travel to 4.5-inches. Definately bombing faster down the hills and getting a little less beaat up with this rig.

 

[no_skillz]

Off topic, but...

what grips are you using?
Sick bike btw.

 

[Mr.Bob]

Nice job on the custom brake mount! I ran into the same problem with my Fisher and ended up doing something similar.

 

[frankenbike]

I could be wrong, but those grips look like the Ergon Grips.

http://www.ergon-bike.com/home.php?la=en

I've seen them for around $25 from some of the biggie mail order websites.

 

[dgdixon]

Yep, Ergon grips

I could be wrong, but those grips look like the Ergon Grips.

http://www.ergon-bike.com/home.php?la=en

I've seen them for around $25 from some of the biggie mail order websites.

They really are comfortable. And I like the ones with the small bar end, as it really provides another grip position when climbing.

Bob, I like your Fisher-Rohloff fix. I thought of using the lower slip in style Rohloff mount like you did as that is what I previously used, but since I wanting the disc mount this ended up being the cleanest option.

 

[Ryan G.]

how does it like 'stuff' at CC?

Rig looks like it just absorbs hits and probably rolls real nice, fast.

 

[tgriesel]

Shhhhhhhhh. The "stuff" at CC is double super top secret.

 

[Ryan G.]

I rephrased it as ambigously as I could, hopefully that is kosher .

 

[Speedub.Nate]

Superstupendous! And that housing is a nice touch, if I say so myself!

Clean look to your integrated adapter plate -- really nice work. Looks like your axle plate is at a right angle to your dropout, though. Does that make wheel installation / removal a pain?

For a second there I thought you managed to do away with the tensioner. Ahh, one can only wish...

 

[dgdixon]

Nate, the pickup for the axle plate is in line with the the chainstay and it is essentially at a right angle with the wheel in place, but it slides in just fine. And yes, that is the Specialized housing I'm using, and they are selling it at a clearence price of 30% off on the full spools.

Regarding the China Camp riding, I know some of the rides, but am always open to learn more "stuff" around there. Alot of my riding tends to be west and south of CC (Mill Valley to Fairfax) where I can ride from home. In October I managed to get up to Downieville just before the first snow hit and ride some great downhill trails. I rode my hardtail 29er and a friends Blur LT (yikes a 26er) and that experience helped convince me to go with a full suspension 29er. While all the travel may not be necessary for much of my riding, it sure is nice sometimes, and with the poplock and the SPV rear shock I can stiffen the travel up pretty well.

David

 

[TiRyder]

Rohloff Questions

Sweet ride. I am going to be ordering a 29er and would like to go with the Rohloff, but have a few questions.

What gearing are you using? I think the rohloff comes with a 16T and they recommend at least a 38 up front for that. They recommend at least 2.4 times the rear cog for the front. This I am confused about because 16x2.4 is 38.4. Wouldn't they want at least a 39? Could you go with a smaller combination with a similar ratio and get the same gearing results?

Can you use an aftermarket cog and will a shimano compatible cog work on the freewheel? I was thinking of a Boone titanium rear cog with a Boone chainring up front and want to be sure to get right sizes.

I cant imagine any downsides to the Rohloff, but have to ask if you can think of any.

What do you think are the weight advantages/penalties of using a Rohloff vs Traditional drivetrain.

Also and for reference, what type of riding do you do? lots of climbing, etc? Where is China Camp, as in what state or area ( I am in Virginia).

Thanks - Rob

 

[dgdixon]

Sweet ride. I am going to be ordering a 29er and would like to go with the Rohloff, but have a few questions.

What gearing are you using? I think the rohloff comes with a 16T and they recommend at least a 38 up front for that. They recommend at least 2.4 times the rear cog for the front. This I am confused about because 16x2.4 is 38.4. Wouldn't they want at least a 39? Could you go with a smaller combination with a similar ratio and get the same gearing results?

Can you use an aftermarket cog and will a shimano compatible cog work on the freewheel? I was thinking of a Boone titanium rear cog with a Boone chainring up front and want to be sure to get right sizes.

I cant imagine any downsides to the Rohloff, but have to ask if you can think of any.

What do you think are the weight advantages/penalties of using a Rohloff vs Traditional drivetrain.

Also and for reference, what type of riding do you do? lots of climbing, etc? Where is China Camp, as in what state or area ( I am in Virginia).

Thanks - Rob

I use a 16 38 gearing. I spoke to Thomas at Rohloff, and he did not see any problem with that combination. Remember, on a 29er that combination does not give you as low a gear as on a 26er. I believe that the recommended ratios were calculated for max torque with tandum use, and are conservative.

I am not sure if other brands of cogs work with the Rohloff, and except for bling effect of a ti cog, I do not see a reason to switch. The rohloff cog has worked great, and unlike a true single speed, there is less torque generally applied to the cog because of the gearing, so the strength of Ti may not be an issue.

Downsides? I haven't found any that make me want a derailleur system again. Just the opposite. I have been doing alot of wet muddy rides lately and my buddies with derailleurs are spending alot more time working on their bikes, and, I can always get in the gear I want when I suddenly hit a mud bog.

My riding? Mostly cross crountry with occational 1-2 foot drops. I like going fast on single track and enjoy trying out logs etc. I live in Marin County, Ca, just north of San Francisco, and every ride involves climbing. Alot of trails are accessable from home, and most all rides have 1000+ feet of climbing.

David