Accessories: frequently asked questions

Trailers

A trailer can in principle be used with the SPEEDHUB. When fitting and while riding, the hitch must never touch, press on or strain the shift actuation or the E-14 shift unit’s cover, in any position. Suitable washers or the hitch maker’s axle adapters (spacer, polygon) prevent that.

A12 thru-axle

On an A12 thru-axle hub, the hitch must never be fitted directly to the axle with the A12 fixing bolt. The high-strength M7 bolt would then engage too few threads, and the thread in the axle plate or on the bolt could strip — a real accident risk.

With a long torque arm, a hitch bracket mounted on the frame sometimes needs a small cut-out where the arm runs — it does not affect the bracket’s strength. Because of the large hub diameter, the hitch’s safety strap needs to be a little longer than on a derailleur hub. When ordering, tell the maker the bike has a SPEEDHUB.

Anti-theft axle locks

For a Pitlock axle lock on dropouts thicker than 8 mm, use the “Pitlock Set M10 Rohloff mono” with a Rohloff axle plate with a long axle stub (8228L TS OEM2, 8233L TS standard or 8235L TS OEM, all long). On steel dropouts or dropouts no thicker than 7 mm, the “Pitlock M10 Rohloff dual” can usually be fitted, provided enough thread protrudes. For sliding dropouts there is a separate dropout lock, so the wheel cannot be removed together with the dropout either.

Keep strictly to the tightening torques, or the drive can freewheel:

Fixing	Maximum
quick release	7 Nm — hand-tight, then 1–1.5 more turns with a tool
bolt-on axle (M10×1 nut)	30 Nm

On an A12 hub, use the 5 mm Hexlox insert. Before fitting it, check the A12 fixing bolts’ torque (15–20 Nm).

The Monkey Bone brake adapter

The Monkey Bone (Art. no. 8553 for 160 mm discs, 8554 for 180 mm) is a Rohloff adapter for fitting a post-mount caliper to an IS-mount frame with a SPEEDHUB — with a single adapter, lighter and tidier, and without fouling rack or mudguard mounts.

It needs: a SPEEDHUB with an OEM2 axle plate, an IS2000 disc mount on the seatstay, a post-mount caliper and the Monkey Bone for your disc size. It does not work with IS calipers, frames with integrated or direct post mounts, or frames with the brake mount on the chainstay — there, the high torque in the SPEEDHUB’s low gears could twist the axle out of the dropout.

Thru-axle frames

For a 12 mm thru-axle frame of 142, 148 (Boost), 177 or 197 mm, the SPEEDHUB A12 is the answer. Rohloff adapters and fixing bolts replace the frame’s own thru-axle, matched to the frame’s axle system. Because right and left frame interfaces vary between makers, checking compatibility before converting is especially important. A CC or TS SPEEDHUB cannot be converted to A12 in a workshop: only Rohloff does it, as part of a paid factory overhaul. See The A12 system.

Other makers’ parts

A SPEEDHUB is only as good as the parts around it. Rohloff therefore tests other makers’ parts meant for the SPEEDHUB, and does not approve any that would impair how it works or raise safety concerns. Using a non-approved part can partly void the warranty and lead to a repair being refused; repair and consequential costs then fall to the owner. If in doubt, ask us before you fit anything: Contact.