SPEEDHUB 500/14 NOISES

When riding in specific gears with the Rohloff Speedhub 500/14, one of two different types of riding noise can be heard. Construction characteristics prove that in most gears a free-spinning noise can be heard which is particularly noticeable in gear #7. When riding with a higher pedalling force, a higher noise frequency (higher pitch noise) can be heard through the gears #5, #6 and #7, which is normal and expected for straight-toothed precision gears.

The normal Speedhub 500/14 noise may resonate differently through different bicycle frame types together with different volumes as noise transfers (the tubes of the frames react as a resonator for the sound waves).

Different noises are noticeable whilst freewheeling depending on which gear you have currently selected. This is due to different parts of the gear mechanism rotating within the hub.

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It should be also noted that a new Speedhub 500/14 is typically noisier than one that is run in after the first 500-1000 kms. Furthermore, the SPEEDHUB has 25ml of oil internally, although the Speedhub only requires approximately 7ml for gear lubrication. The remaining 18ml of Rohloff oil is added for the specific purpose only to help with gear noise damping.

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IMPORTANT

If you are experiencing what may be considered an abnormal noise being heard from your Rohloff Speedhub 500/14, please first check carefully and record what gears the specific noises are of concern.

1. if the noise can be identified to certain and specific gear numbers, then it is possible this is a Speedhub issue (please record the gear numbers accurately to assist with the determination of the issue)

2. if the noise is constant and similar in all gears, then this is likely to be the drive train and its components

3. if the noise is happening every revolution of the crank, that is... the noise occurs at the same point of the crank's revolution then the origin of the noise is very likely to be a crank issue (bearing, crack, loose installation, pedal failure etc)

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(Note: Although we receive very few issues with the Rohloff Speedhub 500/14, we have received over the past 5 years a number of Speedhub wheels with complaints of gear loss and gear slipping. In many of these instances we have found worn drive trains, worn rear sprockets, or we have investigated and discovered that sprockets and chainrings are old and the chain was new - all of which can cause the chain to slip over the sprocket teeth. I one specific case we replaced the internal gear unit twice and the gear slipping remained, although we had the customer's confirmation that the drive train was all near new and they had double and tripled checked, we visited the customer at his home and replaced the rear sprocket and the problem was resolved.

We mention this to highlight the need for regular bike maintenance, and the importance of checking your drive train and crank assembly properly and thoroughly before reporting a possible Speedhub issue.