List of Rohloff specific frames sold in US

[Sledge Hammer]

I was hoping someone had a list of companies selling production frames
with Rohloff-specific hardware in the US (or at least a good idea of
the ones generally available). Even mainstream US companies seem not
to sell their European Rohloff models domestically.

All guidance is greatly appreciated.

Dave

[Drew Saunders]

In article
<1952d0b3-c8ee-44ac-9f33-23ed3aa7a30e@b5g2000pri.googlegroups.com>,
Sledge Hammer <slappywhitepa@yahoo.com> wrote:

> I'm replacing a late, lamented mountain bike that was stolen from
> storage in my apartment building. It was a mid-90s steel Specialized
> 21-speed with no suspension and 1" slicks; it ended up looking like a
> hybrid. It was a great bike that stood up to a lot. I don't know if
> anyone makes a cheap, simple, durable bike like that anymore--it looks
> like almost all entry-level production mountain bikes are aluminum and
> have a suspension fork.

There are plenty options that are much cheaper than a Rohloff bike
should you be looking for a planetary hub, fenders, etc in a sensible
commuter. Heck, most are much cheaper than just the Rohloff hub!

Such as the REI Fusion:

http://www.rei.com/product/744803

A couple versions of the Bianchi Milano:

http://www.bianchiusa.com/08_milano_alfine.html
http://www.bianchiusa.com/08_milano_parco.html

Joe Breeze seems to be all about these kind of bikes now:

http://www.breezerbikes.com/index.cfm?CFID=32051900&CFTOKEN=33944621

On to the original topic, my "win the lottery" MTB would be a Moots YBB
with Rohloff option. http://www.moots.com/?#/product/bicycles/mtb/ybb/
http://www.moots.com/?#/product/custom_options/rohloff_option/

Drew

--
Drew W. Saunders

dru (at) stanford (dot) eee dee you

[wizardB]

Sledge Hammer wrote:
> I was hoping someone had a list of companies selling production frames
> with Rohloff-specific hardware in the US (or at least a good idea of
> the ones generally available). Even mainstream US companies seem not
> to sell their European Rohloff models domestically.
>
> All guidance is greatly appreciated.
>
> Dave
Dekerf build almost all there frame with the Rohloff option cable tabs etc.

[(PeteCresswell)]

Per Sledge Hammer:
> Even mainstream US companies seem not
>to sell their European Rohloff models domestically.
>
>All guidance is greatly appreciated.

I have 2 Rohloff hubs that have been used on a total of 5 bikes:
3 FS' and 2 hard tails.

The two hard tails are "Rohloff-specific" in the sense that one
has a chain tensioner in the rear dropouts and the other has an
eccentric BB shell to tension the chain.

FWIW, chain tensioning is the only "Rohloff-specific" feature
that I can think of that makes any sense.

It could even be seen as a minor disadvantage in that it locks
one into not using a der system (assuming the frame was made
without a der hanger).

It's kind of nice to not to have a chain tensioner add-on... but
it's definitely not a religious issue with me.
--
PeteCresswell

[landotter]

On May 18, 10:12 am, Sledge Hammer <slappywhit...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> I was hoping someone had a list of companies selling production frames
> with Rohloff-specific hardware in the US (or at least a good idea of
> the ones generally available). Even mainstream US companies seem not
> to sell their European Rohloff models domestically.
>
> All guidance is greatly appreciated.
>
Don't have a list, but Mike Ant sure makes some fun custom Rohloff
frames:

http://www.antbikemike.com/rohloff.html

[Andre Jute]

On May 18, 4:12*pm, Sledge Hammer <slappywhit...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> I was hoping someone had a list of companies selling production frames
> with Rohloff-specific hardware in the US (or at least a good idea of
> the ones generally available). *Even mainstream US companies seem not
> to sell their European Rohloff models domestically.
>
> All guidance is greatly appreciated.
>
> Dave

I can't help you with a list, but whether you need a Rohloff specific
frame depends on what kind of brakes you want to fit. The critical
question with Rohloff is how you will achieve chain tension and that
in turn determines what sort of a frame you need.

If you're going to use rim brakes of any kind, all you need to fit a
Rohloff hub is a bike with track ends and the right rear frame
spacing. Be nice if there were space for a couple of chain tugs but
basically you just pull the hub back in the track ends until the chain
is tight and bolt it up tightly.

If you want disc brakes, you must have some kind of sliding or
otherwise adjustable axle mount with the caliper bolt ears on the
sliding piece in the right relation to the axle hole; to tension the
chain you then slide the whole assembly back in the slot and, you
guessed it, bolt it up tightly.

Two alternatives, available with just about any old dropout, is to
have an eccentric bottom bracket, or to use Rohloff's own chain
tensioner on bikes with derailleur bits.

HTH.

Andre Jute
http://members.lycos.co.uk/fiultra/BICYCLE%20HUMOUR.html

[Andre Jute]

On May 18, 4:12*pm, Sledge Hammer <slappywhit...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> I was hoping someone had a list of companies selling production frames
> with Rohloff-specific hardware in the US (or at least a good idea of
> the ones generally available). *Even mainstream US companies seem not
> to sell their European Rohloff models domestically.
>
> All guidance is greatly appreciated.
>
> Dave

I can't help you with a list, but whether you need a Rohloff specific
frame depends on what kind of brakes you want to fit. The critical
question with Rohloff is how you will achieve chain tension and that
in turn determines what sort of a frame you need.

If you're going to use rim brakes of any kind, all you need to fit a
Rohloff hub is a bike with track ends and the right rear frame
spacing. Be nice if there were space for a couple of chain tugs but
basically you just pull the hub back in the track ends until the chain
is tight and bolt it up tightly.

If you want disc brakes, you must have some kind of sliding or
otherwise adjustable axle mount with the caliper bolt ears on the
sliding piece in the right relation to the axle hole; to tension the
chain you then slide the whole assembly back in the slot and, you
guessed it, bolt it up tightly.

Two alternatives, available with just about any old dropout, is to
have an eccentric bottom bracket, or to use Rohloff's own chain
tensioner on bikes with derailleur bits.

HTH.

Andre Jute
http://members.lycos.co.uk/fiultra/BICYCLE%20HUMOUR.html

[BobT]

"Sledge Hammer" <slappywhitepa@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:accb1b6a-793d-4dc3-802b-69e08920b7cb@d77g2000hsb.googlegroups.com...
>I was hoping someone had a list of companies selling production frames
> with Rohloff-specific hardware in the US (or at least a good idea of
> the ones generally available). Even mainstream US companies seem not
> to sell their European Rohloff models domestically.
>
> All guidance is greatly appreciated.
>
> Dave

You need to be more specific about what you mean by Rohloff-specific
hardware. To use a Rohloff hub a frame needs these features:

1. A way to fit a 135 mm wide hub
2. Appropriate chain line (not really a feature of the frame as this is
adjusted with the bottom bracket / crankset combination)
3. A way to adjust the chain tension which can be:
a. spring chain tensioner like on a derailluer bike, Rohloff supplies
one that attaches to a standard derailluer hanger
b. eccentric bottom bracket
c. sliding rear dropouts
d. horizontal dropouts like a track bike but this setup works best with
nutted axles and perhaps not at all with a quick release skewer.
4. A way to counteract the torque produced by the hub which can be:
a. Rohloff specific dropouts
b. A clamp-on torque arm from Rohloff that will fit most bikes
c. A "dog-bone" attachment from Rohloff that bolts on to a disk brake
mounting boss on the frame

You can take almost any frame that will fit a 135 mm rear hub and use a
Rohloff chain tensioner and Rohloff torque arm and use a Rohloff hub. If
you want Rohloff specific sliding rear dropouts (so you won't need a chain
tensioner or torque arm or dog-bone attachment to disk brake mounts), I
don't think you will find this in a "production" frame anywhere, especially
in the U.S.A. It is readily available from many USA or other custom frame
builders. Bob Jackson cycles in Leeds, UK made my touring bike frame like
this for roughly the same price as a Rohloff hub.

BobT

[Chalo]

PeteCresswell wrote:
>
> FWIW, chain tensioning is the only "Rohloff-specific" feature
> that I can think of that makes any sense.

Deep-slotted "OEM" dropouts that allow you to avoid the torque arm or
Dogbone are pretty nice. I'd definitely recommend that arrangement.
Rear-opening dropouts with a deep enough slot could probably be used
in the same way.

Chalo