The Monkey Lab

This black and silver Surly Troll was built for a customer of ours in San Francisco who was looking for the ideal all-around bike for the many different kinds of riding he planned to do. He wanted to be able to ride comfortably both on road and off, ride around town to run errands, and go on some longer tours. As with many of our customers, versatility and durability were priorities for this build, which is why the bike was built around the Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14 drivetrain.

Surly's Troll frame fit the design criteria well. It is purpose-built for on and off road touring with mounts for racks, plenty of water bottle cages, Surly's trailers, and various cable routing options. The frame is built around 26 inch wheels and has a geometry similar to most cross country-oriented hardtail mountain bikes for neutral handling. It can be built as a cruiser, commuter, touring bike, mountain bike, or in almost any other configuration you can think of. Like all of Surly’s frames the Troll is made of steel, which is a resilient and shock absorbing material that is strong enough to last for decades.

For the wheel builds, we wanted them to be strong enough to handle the obstacles that our customer was likely to run into in the city and on tour. To achieve this we used Velocity’s thick-walled Cliffhanger rims, which our our go-to rims for heavy duty applications. They were laced to a silver Rohloff SPEEDHUB in the rear and a silver Schmidt SON28 dynamo hub in the front. Although our customer chose not to get a light to pair with the dynamo hub, he wanted the option to add a high-powered light or a USB charger in the future. To finish off the wheels, we mounted Schwalbe’s Marathon Mondial tires, which provide plenty of traction and cushioning to be comfortable both on road and off as well as good flat protection.

The Rohloff SPEEDHUB is a perfect compliment to the sturdy frame set and rims. The SPEEDHUB’s internally-housed 14 speed shift system is extremely robust and eliminates the possibility of bent derailleur hangers, damaged derailleurs, skipping cassettes, and other common drivetrain issues. The internal gearing makes for a very minimal maintenance drivetrain, and the large, symmetric hub flanges add to the rear wheel's strength and stiffness.

To ensure a comfortable ride, we selected parts that would put our customer in an ergonomic pedaling position. Salsa’s Bend 2 handlebars have more backsweep than most mountain bars to reduce strain on the wrists. Paired with Ergon’s GP1 grips, the handlebars provide a position that mimics most riders’ natural resting hand position. For seating, we chose Selle Anatomica’s Titanico leather saddle, which flexes slightly with the rider’s pedal stroke and conforms to their body shape over time. Our customer also wanted platform pedals to make it easy to transition on and off the bike, so we installed the wide and grippy VP 1 pedals.

Our customer was very pleased with the bike when he came to pick it up and took it for a quick spin. He said he was excited to take it home and start planning his first tour. If you’re looking for a versatile Rohloff-equipped bike of your own, contact us to discuss options that suit your needs.

Build Details:

• Frame: Surly Troll
• Fork: Surly Troll
• Headset: Chris King
• Stem: Race Face Evolve
• Handlebar: Salsa Bend 2
• Shifter: Rohloff
• Grips: Ergon GP1
• Seatpost: Thompson Elite
• Saddle: Selle Anatomica Titanico
• Seat Clamp: Surly
• Front Hub: Schmidt SON28 dynamo
• Rear hub: Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14
• Spokes: Sapim Race
• Nipples: Sapim Brass
• Rims: Velocity Cliffhanger
• Tires: Schwalbe Marathon Mondial
• Cranks: Sugino RD
• Pedals: VP 1
• Bottom Bracket: Sugino
• Chain ring: Sugino
• Rear Sprocket: Rohloff
• Chain: Wipperman 7R8
• Brakes: Avid BB7 Mountain
• Brake Levers: Avid Speed Dial 7
• Rotors: Magura Storm

Neil built this Surly Krampus after test riding Tyler's Krampus and the Krampuses we've built for customers and deciding that he needed one of his own. Naturally, a Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14 and Gates Carbon Drive belt system were used for the drivetrain. The bike was finished just before Neil and Phil drove north for the Seattle Bicycle Expo, and Neil took it out for its first rides on the famed trails of the Pacific Northwest. The Krampus proved to be a very capable trail bike, with the oversize tires, stable handling, suspension fork, and dropper seatpost making for a fun all-mountain hardtail that is well suited to Neil's riding style.

We've put together quite a few Krampus builds for customers using the stock steel fork that comes with the frames, but most of these builds have had a touring or commuting focus, where the rigid fork is appropriate. The 3" wide tires that these bikes use provide some minor suspension that smooths out bumpy roads, but Neil wanted his own bike to be tailored towards more aggressive mountain biking where a suspension fork is a must - similar to the Krampus we built for the Interbike trade show: a durable ride capable of hitting jumps, rock gardens, and tight, twisty trails with ease.

Currently, there are no suspension forks available that are specifically designed with enough tire clearance to fit Surly's 29x3" Knard tires. The Fox Fork that we used for our Interbike project bike had just barely enough clearance under the arch upon initial setup with low tire pressure, but after inflating the tires to a higher pressure, they stretched and the front one rubbed the crown.

Fortunately, Neil had a couple of Maverick’s DUC 32 forks in his spare parts collection, which work just fine with the larger tires. The inverted dual-crown design doesn't have an arch that the tire can contact and is internally adjustable to limit the travel so the tire doesn't hit the crown at full compression. With some custom parts from Ethan at The Flow Zone, who is the guru of all things Maverick, the fork travel was set to 100mm and the air volume was reduced to provide an appropriate spring rate. Ethan's floating piston was also added to the damper to prevent oil cavitation for more consistent damping.

The Maverick forks were always very tuneable, and Ethan's upgrade parts make them even more so. Unfortunately, Maverick closed their doors at the beginning of 2013, so the forks are only available on eBay or Craig's List. However, MRP has a soon-to-be-released model called the Stage, which was designed to clear a 3" tire and will be available with longer travel settings. Look for a future post on this fork.

In its stock format, Surly’s Krampus frame is not compatible with the Gates Carbon Drive system, so the first thing we did when we got the frame was to send it to a local framebuilder to get a tube splitter installed so the belt could be inserted into the rear triangle. We also had all the cable guides removed from the frame and re-attached triple-cable guides onto the downtube and chainstay for routing the Rohloff SPEEDHUB cables. Single cable guides were also installed along the lower right side of the top tube for routing the dropper seatpost controller cable. When the modifications were done, we sent the frame to our local powdercoater for a candy blue paint job.

For the wheel builds, we used Surly’s Rabbit Hole rims, which are 50mm wide single-wall rims to accommodate Surly's 29x3" Knard tires with cutouts in the rim bed to save weight. These were laced up to a black Rohloff SPEEDHUB in the rear and a Hope Pro 2 EVO hub up front. Hope's hubs can be easily reconfigured to work with a variety of axle options, including the 24mm built-in axle that Marvick's forks use.

One of the biggest advantages of the Rohloff SPEEDHUB is the fact that it can be ridden in extreme conditions and requires little-to-no maintenance. Because all of the shifting components are housed inside the hubshell, they are not exposed or susceptible to being broken or damaged from rough trails or wet or dirty conditions. This claim was certainly put to the test during the wet, muddy Pacific Northwest rides that were encountered on the trip to the Seattle Bike Expo. The SPEEDHUB and Gates Carbon Drive combo performed very reliably in these conditions - Neil was able to put the bike back on the car after a hard ride, with no thought given to maintenance, and have it ready to go at the next stop.

Neil selected a handful of other parts to add to the ergonomic comfort of the bike. Salsa’s Bend 2 bars provide plenty of backsweep to reduce strain on a rider’s wrists. ESI’s thick foam grips are cushy and absorb trail vibrations. SQ Lab’s 611 Active saddle features a flat shape that directs a rider’s weight to their sitbones and uses a rubber elastomer under the shell to allow the saddle to flex and give the rider a more round and efficient pedal stroke.

Neil’s Krampus project turned out to be a great success, and it has been riding very well so far. Read about the first rides on this bike in our recent ride report on the Cycle Monkey Tales blog, and see it it in action in our Northwest Trails Trip video. Also, look for it on the trails around the East Bay. If you would like to test ride one of our Krampuses or have us build one for you, contact us to see what we can put together for you!

Build Details:

• Frame: Surly Krampus

• Fork: Maverick DVC 32

• Headset: Hope

• Stem: Maverick Direct Mount

• Handlebar: Salsa Bend 2

• Shifter: Rohloff

• Grips: ESI foam

• Seatpost: X-Fusion Hilo

• Saddle: SQ Lab 611 Active

• Seat Clamp: Surly

• Front Hub: Hope Pro 2 EVO

• Rear hub: Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14

• Spokes: Sapim Race

• Nipples: Sapim Brass

• Rims: Surly Rabbit Hole

• Tires: Surly Knard

• Cranks: Race Face Deus

• Pedals: Shimano PD-M959

• Bottom Bracket: Race Face

• Chain ring: Gates Carbon Drive Belt Sprocket

• Rear Sprocket: Gates Carbon Drive Belt Sprocket

• Chain: Gates Carbon Drive Belt

• Brakes & Levers: Magura Louise Carbon

• Rotors: Magura Storm

Continuing our series of videos of how to service your Rohloff SPEEDHUB, our latest video explains the sprocket removal process. In this video, Neil walks you through how to remove and replace a worn sprocket or install a belt drive sprocket. View the video below:

We will soon release more how-to videos covering the topics of shifter/cable installation and shifter troubleshooting.

We hope you find the videos helpful. Please contact us if you have any other questions or if you are interested in our SPEEDHUB overhaul services.

We showcase a lot of new Rohloff-equipped bikes on The Monkey Lab, but we also do Rohloff retrofits and refurbs on existing bikes from time to time. This Civia Hyland was originally built for a friend of ours for commuting and wet weather road rides. He has been thinking about replacing the frame but hasn't found something he likes better yet, so he decided to redo his existing bike to make it new and exciting again before taking off on a "credit card tour" down the California and Oregon coasts this summer. We outfitted the bike with a shiny new paint job, a brand new hydraulic disc brake system, a fresh wheel build, and a handful of other component upgrades.

The frame is the now-discontinued Hyland model from Civia, which was originally conceived as a higher-end commuter with well-though out geometry and design details like the heavily manipulated tube shapes that hide brake and shift cables, including the cables for the Rohloff SPEEDHUB. It was one of our favorite off-the shelf commuter options for using a SPEEDHUB. Civia sold their complete bikes as flat bar commuters, but our friend prefers to use drop bars, which turns the bike into an ideal comfort-oriented road bike. Over the past several years, he has ridden the bike back and forth to work and on longer rides and likes the geometry and handling. Based on his time on the bike, he knew it would be able to comfortably handle his upcoming trip.

The frame was originally a matte navy blue color with mostly silver parts and Avid BB7 mechanical disc brakes. Our friend decided to change the color to a flashier, hot rod-style paintjob in shiny candy apple red and swapped some of the silver parts for black, including powder coating the cranks. The mechanical disc brakes were also swapped for a hydraulic system from TRP for improved power, control, and lever feel.

The original wheels had silver spokes and nipples, Velocity Deep V rims, Rohloff SPEEDHUB in the rear, and a Hayes by DT Swiss hub in the front. For the refurb, our customer decided that black rims and spokes would look better with the red paint job, so we rebuilt the wheels using the same hubs with a pair of Velocity’s Dyad rims and black spokes. The Dyads are wider than most road rims and are strong enough for moderately loaded touring. We finished off the wheels with Sapim Race spokes and brass nipples, and installed a pair of Continental’s flat-resistant Duraskin K tires to keep flats to a minimum. The resulting wheelset is well-suited for commuting, light touring, or comfortable road rides.

The Rohloff SPEEDHUB has developed a reputation as the ideal drivetrain for touring or long distance riding. The 14 speed internal shift system uses very robust gearwheels that mesh together in different combinations to produce the varying gear ratios. The gear wheels are nearly impossible to break and do not wear down because they sit in a sealed oil bath within the hubshell. As a result, the SPEEDHUB is one of the most durable shift systems available, and favored by touring cyclists who may not cross paths with a mechanic or bike shop on their route. Tellingly, there are SPEEDHUBs from the original production run still on the road, having logged nearly 120,000 miles.

Along with the changes, our friend maintained a few parts from the previous build. The full coverage fenders will keep him dry in the event of rain, and the rear rack will allow him to carry some gear. He plans to stay in motels each night on his tour, so he needs to have enough room to carry a few changes of clothes but doesn’t need room for much food or a full set of camping gear.

When the build was complete, our friend said he was newly energized for his tour and now can’t wait to get out on the road. If you’re looking for a lightweight touring or commuting build with a nearly indestructible drivetrain, call us to see what Rohloff-specific build we can put together for you.

Build Details:

• Frame: Civia Hyland
• Fork: Winwood Muddy Disc Cross
• Headset: Hope
• Stem: Easton EA90
• Handlebar: Easton EA70
• Shifter: Rohloff
• Grips: Black bartape
• Seatpost: Easton
• Saddle: Shimano PRO Turnix
• Seat Clamp: Salsa Liplock
• Front Hub: Hayes Elite by DT Swiss
• Rear hub: Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14
• Spokes: Sapim Race
• Nipples: Sapim Brass
• Rims: Velocity Dyad
• Tires: Continental Duraskin K 700x28c
• Cranks: Shimano Ultegra
• Pedals: Look Keoblade Carbon
• Bottom Bracket: Shimano Ultegra
• Chain ring: Surly stainless steel 48t
• Rear Sprocket: Rohloff
• Chain: Rohloff SLT 99
• Brakes & Levers: TRP Hylex
• Rotors: Avid Cleansweep
• Extras: Elite water bottle cages, rear rack, fenders

Singlespeed mountain biking has gained a devoted following in recent years, as more and more riders have been thinking outside the box and opting for simple, stripped-down bikes that let them focus solely on the experience of the ride. The flipside of that simplicity is that the gearing limitations of a singlespeed just don’t suffice on some trails, especially in steep hilly areas. We put together this belt drive Spot Honey Badger for a customer who told us he enjoyed singlespeeding but needed a gearing boost to get up the steeper hills on his local trails in Santa Rosa, California. We added a Schlumpf Mountain Drive to give him an ultra-low gear to get up the most extreme grades on the trail while still retaining the simple singlespeed aesthetic and belt drive compatibility.

Spot’s Honey Badger is designed as a comfortable, capable trail bike, with a good combination of stability and responsiveness. Like all of Spot's bikes, the Honey Badger was designed to be compatible with a belt drive system. Interchangeable dropouts allow for single speed/internal gear hub or derailleur use. The dropouts slide to adjust chain or belt tension with a single speed/internal gear hub or to adjust wheelbase with a derailleur. The steel frame has a few interesting features that set it apart from most hardtail frames, including curved seatstays and a time-trial style cutaway seattube that flex to provide some compliance and make the ride more comfortable. The downtube is also stamped into a wave design where it meets the headtube, creating a stronger weld that serves as a strengthening gusset. Overall, the frame is designed to be as versatile and robust as its namesake Honey Badger, a weasel-like animal with extremely tough skin that roams the plains of Africa.

This customer wanted to retain the same essential feel of singlespeed riding while also eliminating the hike-a-bike portions of his ride that were necessary with only one gear. To meet his criteria we installed a Schlumpf Mountain Drive, which has a 2.5 reduction ratio, to offer a low gear for super steep climbing. To shift to the low gear, a rider simply has to tap a button in the middle of the right side crank arm with their right heel. To shift back to the high gear, the rider taps a matching button on the left crank with their left heel. This heel-activated shift system eliminates the need for a shifter and cable on the handlebars, keeping the bike’s cockpit uncluttered. It also provides a simple, adjustment free option for changing gears.

The bike comes stock with a Gates Carbon Drive belt drive, which was a priority for our customer. He loved the fact that the belt drive system lasts at least twice as long as a chain and doesn't require any maintenance aside from periodic silicone spray to resist squeaking in dry, dusty conditions. For mountain biking in particular, the belt drive is ideal because muddy and dusty trails can take their toll on a conventional chain much quicker than on the road.

If you’re interested in a Schlumpf-equipped mountain bike of your own, contact us to start a conversation about what type of bike is best for you. We have installed Schlumpf cranksets on just about any type of bike, including mountain, commute, fixed gear, cargo, and recumbent bikes/trikes. Schlumpf units can also easily be combined with a Rohloff SPEEDHUB to create even more gear range for people riding steep hills or carrying heavy loads.

Build Details:

• Frame: Spot Honey Badger
• Fork: Manitou Tower Comp 29er
• Headset: FSA integrated
• Stem: Truvativ Stylo T20
• Handlebar: Spot 700mm
• Shifter: N/A
• Grips: WTB
• Seatpost: Truvativ Stylo
• Saddle: WTB Pure V Race
• Seat Clamp: Spot
• Front Hub: Sun Ringle Charger
• Rear hub: Sun Ringle Charger
• Spokes: Wheelsmith J bend
• Nipples: Wheelsmith
• Rims: Sun Ringle Charger
• Tires: WTB Bronson 29x2.2”
• Cranks: Schlumpf Mountain Drive
• Pedals: Shimano XTR
• Bottom Bracket: Schlumpf Mountain Drive
• Chain ring: Gates Carbon Drive
• Rear Sprocket: Gates Carbon Drive
• Chain: Gates Carbon Drive
• Brakes & Levers: Avid Elixir 5
• Rotors: Avid

We built this Co-Motion Klatch as a fitness-oriented road bike for a customer who wanted a comfortable, reliable bike to tackle the many great road rides around his hometown of Santa Rosa, California. His priority was simply to ride often, and the bike needed to stay out of the bike shop and on the road as much as possible. He was looking for a sporty-feeling bike that would motivate him to enjoy the outdoors and stay in shape. We were tasked with creating a Rohloff SPEEDHUB and Gates Carbon Drive-equipped road bike with durable components that would withstand plenty of hard riding, all within a lightweight package.

The Klatch is a relatively new Co-Motion model that is designed as a gravel road racer but is strong enough to handle daily commuting, long road rides, or lightweight touring. Its steel frame is lighter than many of the touring-based models that Co-Motion is known for, and is categorized as one of their race-capable bikes. Stock geometry on the Klatch is more upright and stable than a road bike but is still nimble and quick enough for fast-paced pavement rides. Like all of Co-Motion's offerings, custom geometry is available upon request. To meet our customer's specifications we requested a taller headtube, Rohloff-specific cable routing, geometry that would handle well with a mountain-style handlebar, and Co-Motion's belt drive/Rohloff dropouts and eccentric bottom bracket used on their touring models.

To meet the goal of a sporty-feeling bike, we started the wheelbuild with Velocity’s A23 rims, which are a versatile lightweight road rim. Their 23mm width makes them more aerodynamic than a standard box-section rim and also spreads out the tire to provide more traction and control. We laced the rims to White Industries' MI6 front hub, which like all of White Industries' products is handmade here in the Bay Area. For the rear hub, we naturally used a Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14. Sapim Race spokes and brass nipples on both wheels provide an appropriate blend of strength and weight.

The Rohloff SPEEDHUB is ideal for riders who want to spend as little time on maintenance as possible. Our customer said he doesn't necessarily enjoy working on his bike and instead just wants to focus on riding. The SPEEDHUB is ideal for this type of rider because all of its shifting components are sealed within the hubshell and are lubricated by a completely contained oil bath. This design means that no road grit, dirt, or water can make their way into the hub or affect shifting. Additionally, the Gates Carbon Drive belt lasts at least twice as long as a chain, does not stretch, and does not require lubrication. By combining the SPEEDHUB and the Gates Carbon Drive system, you get as close as possible to a minimal maintenance bike that is always ready to ride.

Like many of our builds, an upright, comfortable seating position was a priority with this bike. To keep our customer’s wrists, hands, and back from getting strained over the course of a long ride, we installed Salsa’s Bend 2 handlebars, Ergon’s GP1 grips, and a high-rise stem. Selle Anatomica’s Titanico saddle is made of supple leather that feels broken in right out of the box and has a uses a hammock-like design that flexes and moves with the rider’s body. Shimano’s XT touring pedals offer a clipless system on one side and a flat platform on the other, which makes the bike easy to ride at any time with or without bike shoes.

When our customer got his new bike, he said it looked just as he had pictured it: with a clean and streamlined yet very functional aesthetic. He said he was very excited to take it out for its first ride in the hills of Santa Rosa. If you’re interested in a similar fitness-style road bike of your own, contact us to see what we can put together for you.

Build Details:

• Frame: Co-Motion Klatch custom
• Fork: ENVE Cross Disc
• Headset: Cane Creek Forty
• Stem: Profile Design Aris
• Handlebar: Salsa Bend 2
• Shifter: Rohloff
• Grips: Ergon GP1
• Seatpost: FSA Metropolis
• Saddle: Selle Anatomica Titanico
• Seat Clamp: Co-Motion
• Front Hub: White Industries MI6
• Rear hub: Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14
• Spokes: Sapim Race
• Nipples: Sapim Brass
• Rims: Velocity A23
• Tires: Schwalbe Kojak
• Cranks: Sugino
• Pedals: Shimano XT Touring
• Bottom Bracket: Shimano square taper
• Chain ring: Gates Carbon Drive
• Rear Sprocket: Gates Carbon Drive
• Chain: Gates Carbon Drive
• Brakes & Levers: Magura MT2
• Rotors: Magura Storm
• Extras: King Kage stainless steel water bottle cages

Racing for 72 hours straight through the jungles of South America on mere hours of sleep is not for the faint of heart. It’s also a task that not just any bike can handle, which is why the members of Team Odyssey Adventure Racing are big proponents of the Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14. Recently, more and more members of the Virginia-based race team have been exchanging their derailleur systems in favor of the SPEEDHUB because of its durable and low maintenance design. In the extreme conditions of adventure races, drivetrain issues can mean the difference between a winning effort and dropping out of the race. We built this titanium Vassago Optimus Ti for a Team Odyssey member to get him through his races comfortably and reliably.

Adventure racing courses are designed to push racers to the limit, both mentally and physically. Race teams of two to five people ride, run, and raft through remote areas, competing against other groups to see who can collectively reach the finish line first. The courses can be hundreds of miles long, include no breaks or support stops, and take a weekend or as long as a week to finish. The backcountry terrain is often rough and obstacle-strewn, and on sections that are too muddy or eroded to ride racers push or carry their bikes for miles. Teams pack overnight gear but sleep just hours at a time to give them an advantage in the race against the clock. In these conditions an ultralight bike is desirable, but a malfunctioning bike is the last thing racers want to worry about.

To meet the demands of this type of endurance racing, we built this bike with light weight and reliability as the top priorities. Our customer had ridden ultralight carbon fiber frames with high-end derailleurs in previous races, but had encountered frame failures and damaged derailleurs that led to shifting issues. After these problems he knew he needed a more durable race bike, and with two team mates already using SPEEDHUBs successfully the gear hub was an appealing option. Even though it would add some weight to the bike, it was much more important to have a drivetrain would shift in any condition and get him to the finish line.

We selected the titanium Vassago frame because of its combination of lightweight, strength, and ride comfort. Vassago Cycles, based in Phoenix, Arizona, is one of a handful of frame builders making affordable titanium frames here in the United States. Their Optimus Ti model has fairly standard cross country racing geometry. Its titanium construction is more resilient than carbon fiber and has the vibration damping ride characteristics normally associated with steel. The frame comes stock with sliding dropouts to simplify chain tension and includes Vassago's optional Rohloff-specific cable routing.

For the wheel build, we started with a pair of imported carbon fiber 29er rims. The carbon rims are noticeably lighter than most aluminum rims, yet much stronger and stiffer. Saving rotating weight vastly improves the acceleration of a bike and reduces the overall fatigue of the rider, which becomes increasingly important further into a race. We laced the rims to a black Hope Pro II EVO hub in the front and a black Rohloff SPEEDHUB in the rear. For spokes, we chose Sapim Laser spokes and aluminum nipples, which provide an appropriate blend of strength and light weight.

The SPEEDHUB has developed a reputation among endurance riders, backcountry mountain bikers, and long-distance tourists as a worry-free drivetrain that won’t pose mechanical problems on the trail. In recent years, more adventure racers have been taking cues from other long distance riders in adopting the SPEEDHUB as their preferred drivetrain on their lightweight race bikes. During an adventure race that may take riders through rivers, thick vegetation, heavy mud, and rock-strewn trails, derailleurs hanging off the side of the bike are very likely to get damaged. The internally-protected shifting components of the SPEEDHUB are not. The SPEEDHUB is also the only internal gear hub with a gear range wide enough to tackle the steep climbs that are common in remote areas. It features 14 speeds and 526 percent gear range – the same as is found on many triple-chainring mountain bike derailleur systems.

For the build kit, we selected a handful of other carbon parts to keep the bike’s weight down. Carbon handlebars, brake levers, seat post, and cranks were some of the largest areas of weight savings. At the cockpit, Syntace’s F109 stem holds Syntace Vector handlebars. On the handlebars, Ergon’s GS1 ergonomic grips have a palm rest that prevents hand numbness on long rides. Magura's MT8 brakes provide plenty of stopping power and are some of the lightest brakes on the market. WTB’s titanium-railed Silverado saddle sits on top of a Syntace P6 HiFlex seat post, which is designed to flex slightly and take the edge off harsh bumps. Race Face’s carbon Next SL cranks and a Rock Shox SID suspension fork complete the lightweight parts list.

When the bike was finished and we took it for a test ride, we realized it is one of the lightest bikes we have built recently. It weighs in at 25.2 pounds in size large, yet still features a dependable frame and component list that can be put through the ringer during a tough endurance race. If you’re looking to get into adventure racing or value a light, durable bike, contact us to start talking about what we can put together for you!

Build Details:

• Frame: Vassago Optimus Ti

• Fork: Rock Shox SID RLT 100mm travel

• Headset: Hope

• Stem: Syntace F109

• Handlebar: Syntace Vector Carbon

• Shifter: Rohloff

• Grips: Ergon GS1

• Seat post: Syntace P6

• Saddle: WTB Silverado

• Seat Clamp: Vassago

• Front Hub: Hope Pro II EVO

• Rear hub: Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14

• Spokes: Sapim Laser

• Nipples: Sapim Aluminum

• Rims: Imported carbon 29”

• Tires: Continental Race King

• Cranks: Race Face Next SL

• Pedals: Shimano XTR

• Bottom Bracket: Race Face

• Chain ring: Race Face Single

• Rear Sprocket: Rohloff

• Chain: Wipperman Connex 8sX

• Brakes & Levers: Magura MT8

• Rotors: Magura Storm

Surly's Pugsley is the bike that brought fatbiking to the masses. Although not the original fatbike, it was the first fatbike that was widely available and offered at a price that many riders could afford. Since then, it has been updated with different frame colors and build kits each year while sticking to the same basic design centered around four inch wide tires. Surly's complete Pugsley "Special Ops" build has one of the most unique colorways yet, featuring a maroon frame, gumwall tires, and chrome rims, seatpost, stem, and handlebars. We converted this stock Puglsey to a Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14 and Gates Carbon Drive-equipped demo bike for Wheel Life Cyclery bike shop near Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They will have the bike available for customers to test ride both the Rohloff and belt drive systems.

Surly’s Pugsley frame features an offset rear end so it will fit a standard 135mm wide mountain bike hub and still accommodate the large tires. To keep the chain or belt from rubbing on the large rear tire, the frame’s dropouts are offset towards the drive side of the bike. The drive side seatstays and chainstays bend further outward from the center of the bike, and the non-drive side stays bend further in towards the center. The hub is laced off center of the rim so that the rims stays lined up in the center of the bike. Other fatbike frames feature 170mm or 190mm spaced symmetrical rear ends and specialty extra-wide hubs, but frames with an offset rear end like the Pugsley are currently the only fatbike frames that will accept the 135mm spaced Rohloff SPEEDHUB.

The Rohloff SPEEDHUB and Gates Carbon Drive combination is a coveted drivetrain for many fatbike riders. Because fatbikes are designed to be ridden in extreme conditions, the shifting components must be strong and durable enough to stand up to sand, mud, snow, ice, saltwater, and other conditions that challenge derailleur systems. All of the shifting components of the SPEEDHUB sit in an oil bath sealed within the hub shell, where they are protected from the elements and will not come out of adjustment. The hardened steel gearwheels inside the hub will also not break or wear down in these conditions. These factors make the SPEEDHUB the most reliable shift system on the market. Combined with the belt drive system -- which lasts at least twice as long as a chain, does not stretch, and requires no lubrication or maintenance -- the SPEEDHUB makes for an extremely reliable all terrain bike.

Since this special edition version of the Pugsley is only available as a complete bike, it still has many of the stock parts. Most of our builds start with a frame and get a custom build kit, but Wheel Life Cyclery liked the look of Surly's stock Pugsley build. However the stock frame is not belt drive compatible, so we sent it to a local framebuilder to get a tube splitter installed in the right seatstay. We also switched to Race Face’s Turbine cranks because the stock cranks were not compatible with the Gates Carbon Drive sprockets. Lastly, we added Ergon’s GP1 short/long Rohloff-specific grips to provide a more comfortable point of contact with the handlebar.

When Wheel Life Cyclery unpacked this bike, they said it was sure to be a popular centerpiece on their sales floor and a great way for their customers to try out both the Rohloff and the belt drive system. If you're in the Calgary area, stop in to check out this custom Pugsley and meet the Wheel Life crew. If you’re interested in working with us for a Rohloff and belt-equipped fatbike of your own, contact us to see what we can put together for you.

Build Details:

• Frame: Surly Pugsley
• Fork: Surly Moonlander
• Headset: Cane Creek 40
• Stem: basic aluminum
• Handlebar: Salsa
• Shifter: Rohloff
• Grips: Ergon GP1
• Seat post: Kalloy
• Saddle: Velo V.L. 2155
• Seat Clamp: Surly
• Front Hub: Surly Ultra New
• Rear hub: Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14
• Spokes: Sapim Race
• Nipples: Sapim Strong
• Rims: Surly Rolling Darryl
• Tires: Surly Nate 26x3.8
• Cranks: Race Face Turbine
• Pedals: Acros A Flat
• Bottom Bracket: Race Face
• Chain ring: Gates Carbon Drive
• Rear Sprocket: Gates Carbon Drive
• Chain: Gates Carbon Drive
• Brakes & Levers: Shimano SLX
• Rotors: Shimano SLX & Magura Storm

When a customer told us he was planning to tour through Europe on a cargo bike, we knew we were in for a fun and unique project. Cargo bikes are perfect for hauling plenty of gear, but can be cumbersome on long distance rides or hilly terrain - not to mention a challenge to get through an airport. While our customer was not concerned with riding fast, he said he wanted a cargo bike that was comfortable, durable, and versatile enough to get him and his gear across a continent. The whole bike needed to easily pack up to fit on planes and trains, and would also serve as his daily commute vehicle when he returned from his trip. After a few conversations with our customer about his needs, we set to work planning out a build that would meet his criteria. His unique riding needs were a natural fit for a Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14 internal gear hub and Schlumpf Innovations Speed Drive two speed internal crankset, which together provide a reliable, wide gear range drivetrain that is perfect for hauling heavy loads across long distances.

Taking into account the longer distances and larger loads our customer would see on his tour, a strong steel-framed cargo bike that felt stable under load seemed like the best choice. We ruled out a front loading cargo bike because the smaller diameter front wheels are less comfortable on bumpy roads and less stable at higher speeds. Instead, we chose Surly’s Big Dummy"long tail" cargo bike. Long tail designs place the rear wheel farther back behind the rider to allow more room for cargo. They typically use the same size wheels on both ends and handle much like a standard bike. Like all of Surly's frames, the Big Dummy is strong, affordable, and well-designed. It has a large deck over the back wheel and roomy bags hanging from the sides that can carry many items a standard bike cannot. An optional center-stand is also available to keep the extra weight from tipping the bike over. Optional add-ons like side rails, a third wheel side car, cushions for the back deck, foot rests, and child seats allow the Big Dummy to haul all manner of people, lumber, camping gear, building supplies, furniture, or even other bikes.

Once the Big Dummy frame arrived, we sent it to a local framebuilder to have S&S couplers installed on the top tube and down tube. Our customer was concerned that the extra-long bike would not easily fit on the plane to Europe or onto trains during his trek. With travel couplers about halfway through the length of the bike, it packs into roughly the same volume as a normal-sized bike. After the couplers were installed, we took the frame and kickstand body to a powder coater for a slick matte gray finish. We also sent nearly all the silver aluminum parts to a local anodizer for a stealthy black finish, including the cargo rails on the frame and kickstand legs.

When a rider is hauling a heavy load even moderate hills are challenging, so cargo bikes need to be equipped with very low gears. Most cargo bikes are outfitted with a triple-chainring mountain bike derailleur system and wide range cassette to allow for the easiest hill climbing gear. Although these bikes can reach the low gears needed, a rider still has to pedal very hard because of the extra weight. With this amount of load being put into the drivetrain, it is not uncommon for a rider to snap a chain or bend a derailleur when cranking hard up a steep hill on a fully loaded cargo bike. The SPEEDHUB is strong enough to handle exceptional amounts of load while still offering the same low gear as a mountain bike derailleur system. This makes it an ideal drivetrain option for the demands of cargo bikes.

Perhaps just as importantly, the SPEEDHUB can shift into any gear at any time, meaning a rider doesn’t have to be pedaling to change gears. This is an advantage on cargo bikes that take a while to get up to speed. A rider can downshift at a stoplight, for example, and be ready to accelerate when the light changes. Or, if the rider runs out of steam on a hill and takes a break, they can easily shift and resume pedaling. On a derailleur-equipped bike, riders must anticipate a stop and downshift before they come to a full stop in order to be able to easily accelerate again.

In addition to the SPEEDHUB, we also installed a Schlumpf Speed Drive two speed internal crankset to make the gear range even wider. The Schlumpf crankset features buttons on either side of the crank spindle to switch between the high and low gears. The two gear options are made possible by a planetary gear unit within the crankset. A rider simply taps the button on the right side with their heel to switch to a higher gear, then taps the button on the left side to switch back to a lower gear.

Although the SPEEDHUB offers enough gear range on its own for most cargo bikes, pairing it with a Schlumpf Speed Drive offers the range needed for the type of varied riding our customer would be doing. The Speed Drive features a 1.65 overdrive ratio, which effectively allows for four additional gears on top of the SPEEDHUB's 14. When combined, the SPEEDHUB and Schlumpf system offer an incredible 868 percent change across the entire range of gears.

To keep the chain tensioned properly, we installed a chain idler kit from Terracycle. Mounted on the diagonal tube of the frame, the chain tension changes as the idler slides up or down the tube. We prefer this setup over a chain tensioner because the long chain on these bikes tends to bounce around on rough surfaces and hit the frame, causing paint damage and noise.

To make the bike as durable as possible and ensure our customer wouldn’t be stranded on his tour, we built up a sturdy wheelset that would be nearly impossible break in normal riding conditions. We selected Velocity's Cliffhangers, which have 15 percent thicker walls than most other rims, and laced them to a black SPEEDHUB in the rear and a black Schmidt SON 28 dynamo hub up front using Sapim Force spokes and brass nipples.Lastly, we mounted Schwalbe’s flat resistant Big Apple Plus tires to the rims with Slime's self-sealing tubes.

The dynamo hub will provide battery-free lighting for long riding days that stretch into the night. The generator hub was paired with a Busch & Mueller Luxos U front light and Seculite rear light. The Luxos U light has a handlebar-mounted on/off button with a USB plug for charging phones, GPS units, and other electronic devices.

A variety of comfort-oriented components for the seating and cockpit areas ensure the bike will not become painful during long days in the saddle. Jeff Jones H Bars have plenty of backsweep and multiple hand position options, road bike bar wrap on the handlebars improves grip and comfort, Ergon GC1 grips feature an ergonomic palm rest, and Selle Anatomica’s Titanico leather saddle flexes with a rider’s pedal stroke and breaks in to become more comfortable over time.

This bike had many extras to handle its unique intended uses. An Ortlieb handlebar bag, Surly framebag, and front rack allow even more gear than the longtail deck and side bags alone. Full coverage fenders will keep our customer clean and dry on wet days, and rear-view mirrors will keep him safe on the road. An Abus Bordo Granit X-Plus lock is mounted on the frame to keep the bike secure when it’s parked.

When our customer received the bike after we shipped it to him, he was very pleased with the finished product and is now looking forward to his tour even more. If you’re considering a Rohloff-equipped cargo bike of your own, contact us to see what we can put together for you.

Build Details:

• Frame: Surly Big Dummy with custom S&S couplers
• Fork: Surly Big Dummy
• Headset: Chris King
• Stem: Thompson Elite X4
• Handlebar: Jeff Jones H-Bar
• Shifter: Rohloff
• Grips: Ergon GC1
• Seat post: Thompson Elite
• Saddle: Selle Anatomica Titanico X
• Seat Clamp: Surly
• Front Hub: Schmidt SON28 disc
• Rear hub: Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14
• Spokes: Sapim Strong
• Nipples: Sapim Brass
• Rims: Velocity Cliff Hanger
• Tires: Schwalbe Big Apple Plus 26x2.0
• Cranks: Schlumpf Innovations 175mm
• Pedals: Time ATAC DH4
• Bottom Bracket: Schlumpf Innovations Speed Drive
• Chain ring: Schlumpf Innovations 34 tooth splined
• Rear Sprocket: Rohloff
• Chain: Wipperman 9sB
• Brakes & Levers: Avid BB7
• Rotors: Avid front, Rohloff rear
• Extras: Revelate Designs/Surly Frame Bag, Xtracycle bags, Xtracycle wide loaders Ortlieb Ultimate 6e handlebar bag, Abus Bordo Granit X-Plus lock, Planet Bike Cascadia fenders, Terra Cycle Dummy idler, Surly front rack, Mirrycle mirrors, Busch & Muller Luxos U front light, Busch & Muller Seculite rear light.

Vassago’s Fisticuff is billed as a “monster cross” bike that can handle everything from rough gravel roads to singletrack to daily commuting. Some people may look at it as a cyclocross bike with wider tires and others may look at it as a drop bar mountain bike. Whatever you call it, the Fisticuff is an "all arounder" that feels just as at home on mountain bike trails as it does on long road rides. It makes you want to take off on an adventure, and pairing it with the Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14 gives you the drivetrain to do so without any maintenance issues.

The Fisticuff is built from a high quality heat treated steel tubeset, offering a resilient ride that takes the edge off of rough roads and trails. Compared to most cyclocross frames, the Fisticuff is reinforced in high stress areas to handle rougher trail use, making it nearly indestructible in normal road and 'cross riding conditions. Like most cyclocross bikes, the frame geometry offers a blend of road and mountain bike qualities. The front end and cockpit provide a body position similar to a road bike, and the rear end has a higher bottom bracket for trail clearance like a mountain bike. Chainstays are in between a road and a mountain bike, with a fairly short wheel base that can maneuver through twisty singletrack easily. It has both disc and cantilever brake mounts, clearance for 1.8" tires, and
horizontal dropouts with adjustable chain tensioners, which make SPEEDHUB installation easier. The Fisticuff is one Vassago's more affordable imported models, along with the Jabberwocky, but they also offer Rohloff-friendly U.S.-made frames called the Optimus Ti, TKO, and Verhauen.

We built up this Fisticuff with a sturdy wheelset that is capable of rougher off road riding. Stan’s NoTubes ZTR Flow mountain bike rims are strong and allow for wider tires than most other rims used on cyclocross frames. Sapim Race spokes offer a blend of strength and light weight, and brass nipples offer strength and corrosion resistance. We used a black Toxaholics front hub and a black Rohloff SPEEDHUB in the rear. Schwalbe’s versatile and flat-resistant Marathon Mondial tires offer good mixed surface traction.

As a heavy duty adventure-style bike designed for many different trails and roads, the Fisticuff is well suited for the Rohloff SPEEDHUB. The SPEEDHUB’s shift system is entirely protected within the hubshell, so it is not exposed to road grit, rocks, sticks or anything else that may damage or affect a derailleur system’s shifting on long rides or rough trails. By combining the SPEEDHUB with the solid steel frame, this build offers a nearly bombproof ride that rarely needs to be tuned up even after the roughest rides.

We used a range top shelf components to round out the build. Raceface’s Turbine cranks, WTB Valcon saddle, and Thompson stem and seatpost are very strong with a fairly light overall weight, and Avid’s BB_7 road brakes and Cane Creek Drop V levers provide plenty of stopping power.

If you are interested in a “monster cross” bike of your own, contact us to talk about a Vassago Fisticuff build.

Build Details:

• Frame: Vassago Fisticuff

• Fork: Vassago Fisticuff

• Headset: Cane Creek Forty

• Stem: Thomson Elite X4

• Handlebar: Aluminum road bars

• Shifter: Rohloff

• Grips: Salsa bar tape

• Seat post: Thompson

• Saddle: WTB Valcon

• Seat Clamp: Vassago

• Front Hub: Toxaholics

• Rear hub: Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14

• Spokes: Sapim Race

• Nipples: Sapim Brass

• Rims: Stan’s NoTubes ZTR Flow

• Tires: Schwalbe Marathon Mondial

• Cranks: Race Face Turbine

• Pedals: Shimano XT Touring

• Bottom Bracket: Race Face Turbine

• Chain ring: Race Face Single

• Rear Sprocket: Rohloff

• Chain: Wipperman Connex 808

• Brakes & Levers: Cane Creek Drop V levers, Avid BB_7 Road

• Rotors: Magura Storm

We built this Surly ECR for a customer in Mount Pleasant, SC who is bikepacking through the backcountry of Colorado this summer and planning a future tour along the Rhine River in Germany. He has toured extensively through Europe in the past but was considering a new Rohloff SPEEDHUB-equipped touring rig to make his future adventures as enjoyable as possible. He had been comparing a number of 29er frames before the ECR was released last year, including Surly's Ogre model. He was drawn to the larger volume tires of the 29+ platform, but the Krampus frame didn't have the right geometry and mounting points he wanted. Once the ECR became available his decision was pretty easy, and he contacted us to put together this bikepacking-specific ECR with some unique modifications and a custom paint job.

Surly’s ECR is designed specifically for bike camping and offroad touring. Like its counterpart the Krampus, the ECR is based on the 29+ platform, which uses three inch wide tires on 50mm wide rims. The wide tires ensure plenty of traction and provide some shock absorbing qualities without having to run a suspension fork - which adds cost, weight, and a need for routine maintenance that most people try to avoid on touring bikes. Unlike the trail-riding specific Krampus, the ECR has a shorter fork, lower bottom bracket and longer rear end for stability. It also has plenty of mounts for racks, fenders, and bottle cages as well as dropouts with a Rohloff mounting feature and special bolt holes to haul Surly's trailers. It is essentially the big tire sibling of Surly's touring-focused Troll and Ogre frames. With these features, the ECR is ideal for loading up and taking off for a rugged adventure, which is exactly what our customer plans to do.

Since our customer wanted a Gates Carbon Drive belt system, we sent the frame off to a local frame builder to have a tube splitter installed in the right side seatstay. Our customer also asked for a downtube-mounted Rohloff shifter to keep the shift cables away from the handlebar bag he planned to carry. For this unique request, we asked the framebuilder to weld a small section of tube on the upper part of the downtube for the twist shifter to mount onto. When the frame came back from the framebuilder, we sent it with the fork and rims to a powder coater for a light beige color our customer wanted in order to make his bike one-of-a-kind. When paired up with the rest of the black components on the bike, the beige color creates the eye-catching quality he was looking for.

For the wheelbuild we started with Surly’s Rabbit Hole rims, which were powder coated beige to match the frame. We laced the rims to a black Chris King ISO disc hub in the front and a black Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14 in the rear. We used Sapim Race spokes and Brass nipples for both wheels, providing a balance of strength, stiffness, and comfort.

Touring bikes are built with strength and durability as top priorities. These qualities are even more important on offroad adventure touring bikes. When trekking through the backcountry, a broken component could leave you completely stranded with no hope of being able to hitch a ride or coast to the nearest bike shop. With these considerations in mind, many offroad tourists have adopted the SPEEDHUB and belt drive as their drivetrain of choice. The SPEEDHUB’s hardened steel gearwheels never break and need no maintenance other than an annual change of the oil bath they sit in. All shifting components are protected within the hubshell, meaning they cannot be damaged by rough trail conditions or intense daily use on a tour. Additionally, the Gates Carbon Drive belt has no moving parts like a chain, so it doesn't stretch and lasts significantly longer.

Comfort is also a priority on touring bikes because of the long days spent in the saddle riding over potentially rough trail conditions. We worked with our customer to select handlebars, grips, and a saddle that would not become painful on his ride. Salsa’s Bend 2 bars have enough backsweep to put his hands in a natural position, while ESI foam grips provide plenty of cushioning. Selle Anatomica’s Titanico X saddle is made of supple leather that flexes to provide comfortable hammock-style support. To round out the build kit, we added an array of durable components including Magura’s MT2 Brakes, a Thompson stem and seatpost, and Race Face Turbine cranks and Atlas pedals.

When we took the bike out for a test ride, we found the downtube mounted shifter very easy to reach and twist. The shifter placement and paint job made for the unique-looking ride that our customer had imagined. If you’re interested in a similar adventure touring bike of your own, please contact us to start a conversation about what kind of build will suit your needs.

Build Details:

• Frame: Surly ECR

• Fork: Surly ECR

• Headset: Chris King

• Stem: Thompson Elite X4

• Handlebar: Salsa Bend 2

• Shifter: Rohloff

• Grips: ESI Foam

• Seat post: Thomson Layback Seatpost

• Saddle: Selle Anatomica Titanico X

• Seat Clamp: Surly

• Front Hub: Chris King ISO Disc

• Rear hub: Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14

• Spokes: Sapim Race

• Nipples: Sapim Brass

• Rims: Surly Rabbit Hole

• Tires: Surly Knard

• Cranks: Race Face Turbine

• Pedals: Race Face Atlas

• Bottom Bracket: Race Face

• Chain ring: Gates Carbon Drive Center Track sprocket

• Rear Sprocket: Gates Carbon Drive Center Track sprocket

• Chain: Gates Carbon Drive belt

• Brakes & Levers: Magura MT2

• Rotors: Magura Storm

We put together this Vassago Verhauen with a Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14 to showcase a 29er hardtail made in the U.S. from premium True Temper steel. With a butted, heat treated tubeset that is light and strong, this frame offers the lively ride that steel bikes are known for. Traditional cross country geometry makes the Verhauen right at home on tight, twisty singletrack, and paired with a SPEEDHUB, it is sure to satisfy riders looking for a fun, minimal maintenance mountain bike.

Vassago is based in Phoenix, Arizona, and hand builds their Black Label frame models right here in the United States, including the Verhauen. By using True Temper's OX Platinum tubing and frame parts from Paragon Machine Works, Vassago is able to offer a completely US-made frame. The inclusion of Paragon's sliding dropouts makes the frame compatible with a wide variety of drivetrains and axle interfaces, including a clean SPEEDHUB installation. True Temper's OX Platinum tubing is made from high strength modern steel that is shaped to provide more material in high stress areas and less material in low stress areas to save weight.

The Verhauen frame offers the same quality as meticulously built frames from the most renowned small frame builders, but at a price that is much more approachable than these artisan frames. Along with the Verhauen, Vassago also offers the titanium Optimus Ti and TKO models as part their Black Label series. Additionally, the company offers imported frames for those looking for a much lower pricepoint, including the Jabberwocky and Fisticuff. All of these frames are well suited for use with a Rohloff SPEEDHUB.

For the wheels, we started with Stan’s NoTubes ZTR Flow rims, which are a light, trail-oriented option with a medium width. We then added Sapim Race spokes and brass nipples to lace up a black Rohloff SPEEDHUB rear hub and Toxaholics front hub. After the wheels were built, we mounted Schwalbe’s Smart Sam tires, which have low center knobs that roll fast in hard-packed dirt as well as taller side knobs to grip in loose conditions.

While many cross country-oriented bikes prioritize light weight, they often do so at the expense of being delicate. Light components can be desirable for racing, but they are often not designed to last more than one season and typically need regular maintenance to keep running smoothly. The combination of the Rohloff SPEEDHUB and lightweight steel Verhauen frame gives this bike the responsive feel of a lightweight race bike, yet does not need a mechanic's special touch after each ride. Quality steel frames are known to last for more than a decade, and the SPEEDHUB has an undefined lifespan with the only routine maintenance being a recommended annual oil change.

To finish off the build, we used a selection of high performance, yet durable components including a Rockshox SID fork, Magura MT8 hydraulic disc brakes, Salsa Bend 2 handlebars, ESI latex foam grips, Thompson stem and seatpost, and Race Face Turbine cranks. With these race-worthy yet reliable parts, this Verhauen is a fast and fun build for nearly any trail style.

If you are looking a trail bike in the same style as this Verhauen, contact us to start a conversation about a Vassago bike of your own.

Build Details:

• Frame: Vassago Verhauen

• Fork: Rockshox SID

• Headset: Cane Creek Forty

• Stem: Thomson Elite X4

• Handlebar: Salsa Bend 2

• Shifter: Rohloff

• Grips: ESI foam

• Seat post: Thompson

• Saddle: WTB Valcon

• Seat Clamp: Vassago

• Front Hub: Toxaholics

• Rear hub: Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14

• Spokes: Sapim Race

• Nipples: Sapim Brass

• Rims: Stan’s NoTubes ZTR Flow

• Tires: Schwalbe Smart Sam

• Cranks: Race Face Turbine

• Pedals: Shimano XTR SPD

• Bottom Bracket: Race Face

• Chain ring: Race Face Single

• Rear Sprocket: Rohloff

• Chain: Wipperman Connex

• Brakes & Levers: Magura MT8

• Rotors: Magura Storm

Now through August 31, when we anticipate our first delivery of Rohloff's new fat bike-specific SPEEDHUB XL internal gear hubs, Cycle Monkey is offering specials on bikes and wheels built around these hubs. Details on wheelset specials can be found below. Details for complete bike packages can be found here.

Rims are available in carbon fiber or aluminum in widths from 50-100mm for trail or sand/snow use. Wheels can be set up with tubes or tubeless using tires from Vee Rubber, Surly, and 45NRTH. All wheels are built to Cycle Monkey's exacting in-house standards and come with our standard two-year guarantee on craftsmanship.

During our pre-sale, receive 10% off bike and wheel packages. In addition to this special pricing, existing SPEEDHUB owners can trade in their Rohloff hubs for $700 in credit towards a complete bike or new wheelset. With the anticipated late August delivery date for the new SPEEDHUB, we expect to start shipping wheels by the middle of September.

Wheelsets starting at $2,141

Front Hub Options:

Hop Fatsno
Stock Option

Schmidt SON28 Fatbike Dynamo Hub
+$370

Rim Options:

26" x 65mm

Surly Marge Lite (65mm)
+$95

26" x 80mm

Halo Tundra (80 mm)
Stock Option

Surly Rolling Darryl (82mm)
+$135

Sarma Naran 80 (80mm)
+$975

26" x 100mm

Surly Clown Shoe (100 mm)

+$215

Sarma Naran 100 (100 mm)

+$1275

29" x 50mm

Surly Rabbit Hole (50mm)
+$75

Sarma Naran 29+ (50mm)
+$925

Tire Options:

26 x 4.0-4.5"

Vee Rubber Mission (26x4.0")

Stock Option

Vee Rubber H-Billie (26x4.25")

+$80

26 x 4.5-5.0"

Vee Rubber Snowshoe XL (26x4.7")

+$80

Surly Bud & Lou (26x4.8")
+$120

29 x 3.0"

Surly Knard 27TPI
(26x3.8" and 29x3.0")

-$10

Surly Knard 120TPI
(26x3.8" and 29x3.0")

+$80

Nipple Options:

Brass: Black, Silver
Stock Option

Blue, Gold, Silver, Green, Purple, Black, Red
+$18

Signature Wheel Set: $2,416

Rear Hub: Sohloff SPEEDHUB XL, black, 32 hole
Front Hub: Hope Fatsno, black
Rims: Surly Clown Shoe
Spokes: Sapim Race
Nipples: Sapim Race
QR Skewers: Hope
Tires: Vee Rubber Snowshoe XL
Tubes: Surly

Now through August 31, when we anticipate our first delivery of Rohloff's new fat bike-specific SPEEDHUB XL internal gear hub, Cycle Monkey is offering specials on bikes and wheels built around these hubs. Details for complete bike packages can be found below. Details on wheelset specials can be found here.

We've worked with Ventana Mountain Bikes USA to create a special Cycle Monkey edition of their US-made El Gordo fat bike frame. The Cycle Monkey edition will feature dedicated cable routing for the Rohloff SPEEDHUB and stealth dropper seatposts. These frames are also belt drive compatible through Ventana's clever adjustable dropout system for the most maintenance-free fat bike drivetrain available. Options are available to build the bikes up with a suspension fork and dropper seatpost for trail use or with a rigid fork and post for sand/snow use.

During our pre-sale, receive 10% off bike and wheel packages. In addition to the special pricing, existing SPEEDHUB owners can trade in their Rohloff hubs for $700 in credit towards a complete bike or new wheelset. Frames will go into production in early September, and we anticipate shipping bikes beginning late September or early October.

Ventana El Gordo Build Kit Options

The new SPEEDHUB XL (left), and the original SPEEDHUB 500/14 (right)

Rohloff SPEEDHUB XL features

14 gears with a 525% overall change in gear ratio offers the same range as most three by nine mountain bike derailleur systems.

Same proven hub internals as the SPEEDHUB 500/14 provides 100,000+ miles of reliable service.

Shifting mechanism is completely protected within the hubshell and sealed from the elements.

Shift reliably in sand, snow, mud, and other riding conditions that are harsh on traditional drivetrains.

Shift between gears at any time, even when coasting or while stopped.

Hub needs no maintenance other than an annual oil change.

Large diameter, symmetrical hub flanges build into strong wheels.

Ventana El Gordo frame features

Ventana tapered head tube (1-1/8" to 1.5").

Ventana proprietary three bolt swinging adjustable dropouts.

Belt drive compatible - drive side dropout separates from seat stay to insert belt into rear triangle.

Cycle Monkey edition has dedicated cable routing for Rohloff SPEEDHUB shift cables and stealth dropper seatposts.

170mm rear axle spacing.

Symmetric frame can be built with any fat bike rim size, including 29+.

Chainstay yoke provides ample clearance for large volume tires (4.8" tires on 100mm rims).

Custom geometry available upon request for additional charge.

Choice of standard paint colors at no additional charge.

Starting from $4,350
Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
Upgrades and options available

Options

Crank Color: (black, grey, or red (signature build kit only))
Crank Length: (170, 175, or 180 mm)
Spoke and Nipple Color: (black or silver)
Rotor Sizes: (160 or 180 mm rear; 160, 180, or 203 mm front)
Seatpost Color: (black or silver (signature build kit only))
Stem Color, Angle, and Length: (black or silver, 0° or 10°, 50 - 130 mm (signature build kit); black, +/- 6°, 60-110m (standard build kit))
Pedals: Quoted upon request
Choice of standard powder coat colors

Upgrades

Standard Paint: Stock options

Carbon Black

Champagne

Cosmic Orange

Gloss Black

Grinch Green

Jail House Blue

Mango Tango

Mercedes Blue

Sky White

Superdust

Team Blue Sparkle

Titanium

Candy Paint: $50 upcharge

Candy Blue

Candy Purple

Candy Raspberry

Candy Red

Candy Teal

Fork Options:

9:Zero:7
Stock Option

Sarma Hoboy Carbon
+$123 QR, +$185 Maxle

Rock Shox Bluto
(80, 100, or 120mm of travel)
+$468
Gloss Black, Matte Black, or White

Saddle Options:

WTB Race: Deva, Devo, Pure V (pictured), or Silverado models
Signature: -$85
Standard: Stock Option

WTB Pro: Deva (pictured), Devo, Pure V, or Silverado models
Signature: -$62
Standard: +$23

WTB SLT: Deva, Devo (pictured), Pure V, or Silverado models
Signature: $8
Standard: +$92

SQ Lab 611 Active
Signature: Stock Option
Standard: +$85

Selle Anatomica Titanico
Signature: +$15
Standard: +$100

WTB Silverado model
(Race, Pro, or SLT)

Seatpost Options:

Race Face Ride
Signature: -$70
Standard: Stock Option

Thompson Elite
Signature: Stock
Standard: +$58

Cane Creek Thudbuster
Signature: +$75
Standard: +$133

Syntace Hi-Flex
Signature: +$150
Standard: +$146

Rock Shox Reverb Stealth
Signature: +$368
Standard: +$426

Thompson Dropper Covert
Signature: +$395
Standard: +$453

Handlebar Options:

Race Face Ride XC
Signature: -$65
Standard: Stock Option

Thompson AM Alloy
Signature: Stock Option
Standard: +$65

Salsa Bend 2
Signature: -$29
Standard: +$35

Jeff Jones Loop H-Bar
Signature: +$45
Standard: +$109

Thompson AM Carbon
Signature: +$60
Standard: +$125

Crank Options:

Race Face Ride
Signature: -$86
Standard: Stock Option

Race Face Turbine
Signature: Stock Option
Standard: +$86
Black, Red, or Silver

Race Face Next SL carbon
Signature: +$300
Standard: +$386

Bottom Bracket Options:

Race Face Stainless
CM Stock Option

Hope Stainless
+$122

Chris King Stainless
+$155

Headset Options:

Cane Creek 40
Signature: -$58
Standard: Stock Option

Hope
Signature: Stock Option
Standard: +$58

Chris King
Signature: +$59
Standard: +$113

Brake Options:

Magura MT2
Signature: -$185
Standard: Stock Option

Magura MT4
Signature: -$74
Standard: +$111

Magura MT5
Signature: Stock Option
Standard: +$185

Magura MT6
Signature: +$129
Standard: +$314

Magura MT7
Signature: +$222
Standard: +$406

Magura MT8
Signature: +$314
Standard: +$499

Avid BB_7 brake, Speed Dial lever
Signature: -$185
Standard: Stock Option

Front Hub Options:

Hope Fatsno
Stock Option

Schmidt SON28 Fatbike Dynamo Hub
+$320

Rim Options:

Halo Tundra (80 mm)
Signature: -$243
Standard: Stock Option

Surly Rolling Darryl (82 mm)
Signature: -$80
Standard: +$135

Surly Marge Lite (65 mm)
Signature: -$120
Standard: +$95

Surly Clown Shoe (100 mm)
Signature: Stock Option
Standard: +$215

Sarma Naran 80 (80 mm)
Signature: +$760
Standard: +$975

Sarma Naran 100 (100 mm)
Signature: +$1060
Standard: +$1275

Surly Rabbit Hole (50mm)
Signature: -$140
Standard: +$75

Sarma Naran 29+ (50mm)
Signature: +$760
Standard: +$975

Tire Options:

Vee Rubber Snowshoe XL (26x4.7")
Signature: Stock Option
Standard: +$62

Vee Rubber H-Billie (26x4.25")
Signature: +$0
Standard: +$62

Vee Rubber Mission (26x4.0")
Signature: -$62
Standard: Stock Option

Surly Bud & Lou (26x4.8")

Signature: +$31
Standard: +$93

Surly Knard 27TPI
(26x3.8"or 29x3.0")

Signature: -$90
Standard: -$10

Surly Knard 120TPI
(26x3.8" or 29x3.0")

Signature: +$0
Standard: +$90

Nipple Options:

Brass: Black, Silver
Stock Option

Blue, Gold, Silver, Green, Purple, Black, Red
+$18

Belt drive on a modified Surly Pugsley

Chain drive on a stock Vassago Verhauen

Belt drives are one of the most exciting innovations in bicycle technology in recent years, as they have helped expose more cyclists to the advantages of internally geared drivetrains. A belt drive paired with a Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14 or Schlumpf Drive creates one of the most reliable and low maintenance drivetrains available.

The entire belt drive system consisting of a belt and front and rear
sprockets weighs nearly half of a standard chain

The main advantages of belt drive systems are their long wear life and zero maintenance. Belts are manufactured as one continuous loop - an inner carbon fiber tensile cord layered with polyurethane teeth and a nylon outer coating. They do not have any moving components like the links and pins of a chain.

Chains "stretch" as the pins, pin holes, and rollers in the links wear over time. This causes the inner and outer links to wear unevenly and the chain to lengthen overall. Eventually, a chain will wear enough that it no longer meshes with the sprocket teeth. Continued use will cause uneven wear to the sprockets and eventual loss of efficiency.

(Source: UCI)

(Source: Sheldon Brown)

On the other hand, a belt wears slowly and evenly, and the only wear that occurs is between the belt teeth and sprocket teeth. As a result, belt drive systems last at least twice as long as the longest-lasting chain systems and often five to ten times as long. Few of our customers have needed to replace their belt systems in the past 5 years, and some have ridden over 20,000 miles on a single belt drive setup.

Anatomy of Gates Carbon Drive Belt.
(Source: Gates)

Another advantage of belts is that they will not rust and do not require any lubrication. This eliminates maintenance associated with chain up-keep as well as the greasy mess that chains are known for, putting an end to grease marks on pant legs. Additionally, a belt is much lighter. A complete belt drive system of two sprockets and a belt weighs about half as much as a typical chain alone.

Although there are many advantages to belt drives, their main limitation is that they are only compatible with single speed or internally geared bikes. Unlike chains, belts can not run properly when flexed sideways and therefore cannot be shifted onto different tracks for different gear ratios. This makes them incompatible with derailleur systems but perfect for internal gearing systems.

Co-Motion Klatch Road bike with separation point at dropout/seatstay interface

Belts cannot be opened like a chain, so the frame itself must open to install the belt. This separation point must be located somewhere within the drive side rear triangle. More and more production frames are coming with split points designed into the seatstay or dropout, but these are still relatively uncommon.

As a result of increasing interest and demand, custom builders are seeing an increase in orders for belt-compatible frames. Many of these builders are on the leading edge of belt drive innovations by developing new options for splitting frames. Paragon Machine Works also offers an easy to use production tube splitter, which was used on this 29er from Independent Fabrication.

Custom Rohloff-equipped 29er+ from Independent Fabrication with splitter integrated in seatstay

Some production steel or titanium frames can be also be modified by welding in a tube splitter, as shown on this Surly Moonlander.

Surly Moonlander frame modified for belt drive use with tube splitter welded above dropout

Frames used with belt drives must also have a belt tension feature such as horizontal dropouts, adjustable dropouts, or an eccentric bottom bracket, because belts are not compatible with spring loaded tensioners, such as those commonly used on chain-equipped bikes.

Rocker dropout on a custom Twenty 2 Cycles

Belt-compatible sliding dropout on Vassago Verhauen.

Eccentric Bottom Bracket on a Co-Motion Klatch

Horizontal dropout on a Surly Krampus

Since belts and belt sprockets are wider than chains, maximum tire and/or sprocket size may be limited unless the frame is designed to clear the extra thickness of the sprockets.

Gates Carbon Drive with Center Track

When initially setting up the system, the front and rear sprockets must be well aligned so that the system runs smoothly and the belt does not hop off either of the sprockets. Gates Carbon Drive's Center Track design features a spine through the middle of the sprocket teeth and a groove through the middle of the belt. This setup keeps the belt on track and helps eliminate any potential misalignment issues.

Despite the advantages of belts, chains continue to dominate the market because they are compatible with more bikes. Chains fit any bike frame, unlike belts which need frames with special features. Additionally, their length can be easily modified by adding or removing links to accommodate various sprocket sizes. Belt drives are offered in set sizes, limiting a specific belt size to a few sprocket combinations and making it more difficult for bike shops to carry replacements. For some riders, chains still offer greater piece of mind - such as long distance cycle tourists who ride through third world countries and may choose a chain because they are easier to find and replace in these areas of the world.

Belt Drive

Advantages

No moving parts to wear (belt itself)
Lasts at least twice as long as a chain
Lighter than a chain
Does not stretch
Quieter than a chain
Does not require lubrication
Continuous loop cannot separate - no pins to pop out
Cleaner, no messy oil

Disadvantages

Only works on internally geared or single speed bikes
Only works on frames with built-in tensioning method
Only compatible with frames that have a belt splitter
Carbon tensile cords can be damaged by mishandling or trail impacts
Newer technology is harder to source in some areas
Limited belt sizes means not all bike types are covered, especially bikes with long chainlines like cargo bikes and recumbents
Not compatible with most suspension frame designs - belts cannot tolerate changes in effective chainstay lengths

Chain Drive

Advantages

Does not require frame with a belt splitter
Length is adjustable
Easier to replace and service, more commonplace
Does not require frame with built-in tension method
Metal links are resistant to trail impacts
Can be used with a tensioner
Compatible with suspension frames
Repairable on the road/trail

Disadvantages

Susceptible to rust
Chain wears over time
System wears faster than belt system
Pins can back out unexpectedly and links can separate
Must be lubricated & cleaned regularly
Efficiency decreases overtime due to dirt and wear

Because of the low maintenance and high reliability that belts offer, we see more riders adopting belt drives for all riding styles.

While belts and chains have their own distinct advantages, the choice often comes down to a rider’s intended use and riding style. If you are trying to decide between a chain or belt drive system, contact usto start a conversation about which is best for the way you ride.

This bike was built for a local customer who came to us looking for a unique frame that was comfortable and versatile enough for the different types of trails near his home in Oakland, CA. He had his eye on a Jeff Jones Titanium Space frame, which has long been recognized as one of the most distinctive titanium mountain frames.

Our customer planned to explore the Bay Area on various trail rides and weekend trips. From long rides on hilly doubletrack to weekend bike camping trips on paved and dirt roads to quick twisty singletrack, he wanted a bike that would do it all. After talking with him about his riding style, we put together a collection of top-notch components – including a Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14 – that would match the aesthetics of the titanium frame and last him for years.

Jeff Jones is a renowned framebuilder who designs distinctive frames, forks, and handlebars in Medford, Oregon. He has gained a devoted following for his designs that are innovative in both their functionality and their looks.

The Space Frame is his flagship design – a lightweight titanium frame that is quick-handling and good at absorbing bumps, even as a fully rigid bike. The frame’s main innovation is in the top tube area, which consists of three tubes – two of which transition to serve as the seatstays. Both seatstays extend from the rear wheel all the way to the headtube, with a smaller curved tube that connects from the seat tube to the head tube. This design is meant to increase lateral stiffness – because the seat stays remain wide and extend across the length of the frame – and also allows the seatstays to flex vertically, creating some minimal suspension in the frame itself. The wide seatstays also allow for larger tire clearance, while heavily manipulated chain stays also add to the suspension effect.

The frame’s low top tube provides plenty of stand over clearance for confidence on rocky, rooty trails, while the short rear end puts the rider’s weight over the back wheel to keep the front wheel lighter and more maneuverable in technical sections. An eccentric bottom bracket comes standard, which offers simple chain tension adjustments and makes this frame a good match for the Rohloff SPEEDHUB. The truss fork is designed to minimize the front-to-rear flex that occurs on most rigid forks in response to braking, which can negatively affect handling.

Once we had the frame in hand, we set to work on the wheel build. We started with a set of Surly’s Rabbit Hole rims, which are 50-mm wide to spread out the tires and provide more traction and cushion. We laced the rims to a black Rohloff SPEEDHUB in the rear and a black Schmidt SON28 dynamo hub in the front.

While this wheelset is built around 29+ rims, the frame was designed before Surly created the 29+ standard, and the frame won't clear a 3" wide tire. As a result, the rear tire size was limited to a standard 29'er tire - a Geax Saguaro 29x2.2” in this case - while the front got a Surly Knard 29x3.0” tire.

The Jones truss fork cleared the large front tire easily, but its 135mm dropout spacing rules out most dynamo hubs, which are typically only available with 100mm spacing. Fortunately, Schmidt offers a fatbike-specific version of their popular dynamo hub with a 10mm axle and 135-mm spacing to fit the most common fat bike fork standard. However, since the dropouts on the Jones fork are 9mm wide, we were faced with trying to modify the fork to fit the 10mm hub axle or modifying the axle to fit the fork. The prospect of fixturing the fork and machining the dropouts proved to be too complicated, so we took the front hub to a local machine shop and had them turn the axle down to 9mm to fit into the fork.

Our customer was first interested in the Rohloff SPEEDHUB because he wanted his bike to be as simple and worry-free as possible. The SPEEDHUB has the gear range of a typical mountain bike derailleur system with the simplicity of a single-speed set-up. The gear unit offers fourteen evenly-spaced speeds by utilizingplanetary gears that revolve around the axle. Its shifting components are sealed within the hubshell and protected from the elements, making the hub much more durable than any cassette and derailleur setup. There are no external shifting components to bend or break, and no cable tension adjustment required to get the hub shifting correctly. It simply works reliably, time and time again.

Our customer stressed the importance of shifting reliability. With the SPEEDHUB, the gears can be changed at any time whether a rider is pedaling or not, making it easier to keep a constant cadence, navigate technical singletrack, or tackle sudden changes in a hill’s grade.

To compliment the frame, we selected a unique set of components with a focus on comfort, ergonomics, and durability. We installed Jeff Jones H Bars, which have an ergonomic swept back grip position as well as a complete loop on the front of the bars for additional hand placement or accessory mounting options. On the handlebars, we installed Ergon’s GC1 grips, which feature a palm rest to combat hand numbness. Rounding out the bike’s cockpit, we also installed Magura’s lightweight MT6 hydraulic brakes. The Selle Anatomica Titanico X leather saddle has an already-broken-in feel right out of the box due to its cutout and split hammock design. VP's Vice platform pedals, Raceface's Turbine cranks, and a Thomson stem and seat post rounded out the build.

When our customer came to pick up his bike he was thrilled. His new ride inspired him to plan some weekend camping trips, singletrack epics, and fireroad grinds in the East Bay and Marin hills in the near future. If you’re looking for a similar bike of your own, please contact us to talk about what we can build for you.

Build Details:

• Frame: Jeff Jones Titanium Space Frame
• Fork: Jeff Jones Truss Fork
• Headset: Chris King
• Stem: Thomson Elite X4
• Handlebar: Jeff Jones Loop H-Bars
• Shifter: Rohloff Twist Shifter
• Grips: Ergon GC1, Deda Logo Bar Tape
• Seat post: Thomson Elite
• Saddle: Selle Anatomica Titanico
• Seat Clamp: N/A
• Front Hub: Schmidt SON28 135mm
• Rear hub: Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14
• Spokes: Sapim Race
• Nipples: Sapim Brass
• Rims: Surly Rabbit Hole
• Tires: Surly Knard 29x3” front, Geax Saguaro 29x2.2” rear
• Cranks: Race Face Turbine
• Pedals: VP Vice
• Bottom Bracket: Race Face
• Chain ring: Race Face Single
• Rear Sprocket: Rohloff
• Chain: Wipperman Connex 8sX
• Brakes & Levers: Magura MT6
• Rotors: Magura Storm

We built this bike for a customer in Vail, CO who was looking for an all-around mountain bike that catered to some very specific setup needs. He enjoys long rides exploring the backcountry roads of Colorado's High Country and wanted a bike that would take his adventures further into the seemingly endless trails of the Rocky Mountains. His build needed to be reliable, low maintenance, and capable enough for all-day rides combining dirt and pavement.

For this build, comfort was a top priority for our customer given distress caused by arthritis in his hands. With this in mind, he wanted a simple ergonomic setup that would be easy on his wrists and that avoided trigger-style shifters.

To minimize bumps on rougher trails, we started with a custom titanium Black Sheep Highlight ST soft tail 29er frame designed around a 100mm suspension fork. We discussed geometry with our customer and chose angles and features that would make the bike responsive on the road yet still stable on trails. The goal was to make the bike comfortable for all-day rides, knowing that Colorado trails can quickly turn technical and challenging.

As a former professional road racer who has spent decades riding in an aggressive road position, our customer sought to replicate that body position on a mountain setup without compromising on handling. For this purpose, the frame was designed with a fairly short headtube to keep the handlebars lower and a longer top tube to keep him stretched out. A neutral headtube angle was selected for predictable steering with his long rides in mind. The result was a very aggressive racing-type position with a fair amount of handlebar drop. After we delivered the bike, our customer also added a dropper seatpost to put his center of gravity into a more neutral position for descending on trails.

The frame has a number of interesting and innovative features that set it apart. As a soft-tail, the Highlight ST does not have a fully pivoting suspension linkage but instead takes advantage of the flexibility of titanium on a more traditional tube linkage. A flexible titanium plate connects the bottom bracket to the chain stays and flexes to allow the rear wheel to move, much like the main swingarm pivot on a standard full suspension frame. A rocker link with bushings drives the Rock Shox Monarch rear shock to give the frame about 90mm of travel and keep the rear end stiff. Flex between the seat stays and chain stays eliminates the need for a separate pivot near the dropout.

The frame also has a unique chain/belt tension method designed by Black Sheep. Instead of horizontal dropouts, adjustable vertical dropouts, or an eccentric bottom bracket, the frame features telescoping chain stays that adjust to tension the chain/belt and then lock into place with a set screw. This feature fits seamlessly with the plate at the bottom bracket for a clean look. An added benefit to this is that the back end can be removed to fit into an S&S travel case to avoid the bicycle fee that most airlines charge.

Other frame highlights include internal cable routing for the Rohloff cables and stealth dropper post, three water bottle mounts for longer rides, and Black Sheep's signature curved tubing.

Our customer needed a drivetrain that would be reliable and low maintenance with a huge gear range for his all-day grinds over variable terrain. With these criteria in mind we equipped the bike with a Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14, Gates Carbon Drive belt drive, and a Schlumpf Speed Drive. The SPEEDHUB alone gives the bike a 526 percent gear range – the same as a normal three by nine mountain bike derailleur system – but adding the Schlumpf Speed Drive gives the bike an incredible total gear range of 868 percent. That range is enough to get up and over any trail while still being able to pedal hard on the way back down. All three of these drivetrain components are practically maintenance-free, with the SPEEDHUB typically needing no service other than an annual oil change and the belt drive lasting at least twice as long as a chain. One of our longest-running belt drive customers reported back with over 20,000 miles of commuting and touring (both on- and off-road) on a single belt.

For a sturdy set of wheels, we laced up a pair of Stan's NoTubes Flow rims to a Hope Pro II EVO hub in the front and the Rohloff SPEEDHUB in the rear. We used Sapim's bladed CX Ray spokes for light weight and aerodynamics as well as brass nipples to resist corrosion and cracking. Once the wheels were built, we mounted Continental X King tires in the 29x2.4" size, which have an intermediate knob size for cross country style riding.

To ensure hand comfort we used a Jeff Jones' titanium H-Bar, which offers multiple hand positions and generous backsweep for a natural hand position. We had sent the bar out to the customer while the frame was being built to verify that the shape would work for him, and he found the bars offered a noticeable improvement in comfort relative to a traditional mountain bike handlebar. We also installed cushy ESI "Extra Chunky" foam grips, and the rest of the bars will get taped with thick road bar tape once the customer finalizes the position of the controls.

Trigger shifters had been problematic for our customer's wrists in the past, but the standard Rohloff twist shifter solved those problems. By positioning it at the end of the bar and flipping the normal shifter orientation, he is able to shift with the heel of his hand instead of relying on his thumb and index finger, which have lost much of their grip strength.

Rounding out the build we used a selection of components that added to the durability of the bike. A Rock Shox Reba fork provides 100mm of suspension to take the edge out of harsh trails without requiring constant maintenance, Magura's MT2 brakes handle braking duties, Thomson's aluminum X4 stem provides strength and stiffness, and Shimano XTR SPD pedals offer long-lasting, quality bearings.

When our customer got his bike, he was beyond excited for a summer full of long tours through the Rockies on his new Black Sheep. If you're looking for a comfortable and capable Rohloff-equipped mountain bike of your own, contact us to start talking about what we can put together for you!

Build Details

Frame: Black Sheep Highlight ST
Fork: Rockshox Reba
Headset: Hope Threadless
Stem: Thomson X4
Handlebar: Jeff Jones Original titanium H-Bar
Shifter: Rohloff
Grips: ESI Foam
Seatpost: Thomson Elite (temporarily until dropper post arrived)
Saddle: WTB Silverado
Front Hub: Hope Pro II EVO
Rear Hub: Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14
Spokes: Sapim CX Ray
Nipples: Sapim brass
Rims: Stan's NoTubes Flow
Tires: Continental X King 29x2.4"
Cranks: Schlumpf
Pedals: Shimano XTR
Bottom Bracket: Schlumpf
Chain Ring: Gates Carbon Drive
Rear Sprocket: Gates Carbon Drive
Chain: Gates Carbon Drive
Brakes & Levers: Magura MT2 with MT4 levers
Rotors: Magura Storm
Extras: King Cage stainless steel water bottle cages

We were very excited when Rohloff called at the start of the summer to tell us they were sending us a pre-production sample of their new fat bike-specific SPEEDHUB XL. We had learned they were considering producing this 170mm wide hub only a few months prior, and now prototypes had already been built and tested and they were on to a pre-production run. Our sample hub showed up a week later and we marveled at how it dwarfed the standard SPEEDHUB 500/14.

The only problem on our end was finding a frame to use to build the new hub into a bike. Since we don't get snow in the San Francisco Bay Area, we planned to set the bike up for trail riding, which has become an increasingly popular use for fat bikes. This meant that the bike would be getting a suspension fork and dropper seatpost. It also needed to be belt drive compatible since we prefer the maintenance-free aspect of belts.

We had a perfect frame design in mind for this project, but it was not readily available from any frame manufacturer, as is often the case when we're working on a bike project. We considered having a custom steel or titanium frame built but decided that the lead time would be too long. Then we remembered Ventana's El Gordo frame, which looked great but had never been a Rohloff-compatible option in the past due to its wider dropout spacing. Now, with Rohloff's 170mm-spaced gear hub, this frame looked like a good match.

Ventana has been building high-quality aluminum mountain bikes – mostly full suspension and tandem frames – here in Northern California since 1988, and we have the utmost respect for their craftsmanship. Knowing that Ventana offers custom and semi-custom frames with the fastest turn around of any builder we work with, we contacted them to talk about a collaboration.

Their stock El Gordo fat bike frames are offered in 170mm or 190mm widths and feature their clever belt-compatible adjustable dropouts. The tapered head tube will accept a Rock Shox Bluto suspension fork, and the head tube angle is fairly slack for a hard tail at 69 degrees, which should make it fun on the trails. The 30.9mm seat tube makes it compatible with most available dropper posts, including our two favorites – Rock Shox's Reverb and Thomson's Elite Dropper. Only a couple small details were missing: Rohloff-specific cable routing and a cable exit port in the seat tube so we could run the internal cable version of either dropper post. After a visit to Ventana's factory to hash out these details, they set to work on a special Cycle Monkey edition of the El Gordo. We received our first sample of this frame last week and immediately built it up.

For the wheels, we used Sarma Bikes’ Naran 80mm wide carbon rims for plenty of flotation and traction with a Hope Fatsno front hub and the Rohloff SPEEDHUB XL in the rear. Sarma is a relatively new company based in Russia who's rims look very interesting. The Naran rims feature a double wall box section design for extra stiffness and a tightly woven outer layer to resist damage from wayward rocks. To finish off the build, we laced up bladed Sapim CX Ray spokes and alloy nipples to keep the weight down. Once the wheels were built, we mounted a pair of Vee Rubber’s massive Snowshoe XL tires, which have a 26x4.8” profile and an extra knobby tread pattern to grip in loose trails or snow.

The Rohloff SPEEDHUB and Gates Carbon Drive drivetrain is ideally suited to fatbiking because of its durability and resistance to mud, dirt, sand, or bad weather that can pose problems to derailleur-equipped bikes. Fat bikes provide the capability to ride through sloppy and challenging conditions, from mucky river bottoms to sand-swept deserts. The SPEEDHUB’s shifting components are all sealed within the hub shell instead of hanging vulnerably off the side of the bike. The gears also sit within a sealed housing, continually lubricated by an oil bath and shift smoothly every time. The only routine maintenance that the SPEEDHUB needs is an annual change of this oil bath. Until now, the SPEEDHUB was only compatible with fat bike frames that use an offset rear end with 135mm axle spacing, like the Surly Pugsley and Moonlander. However, the new 170mm wide SPEEDHUB XL brings Rohloff’s reliability to symmetrical 170mm frames, which have now become much more common than the offset frames.

Keeping with the theme of a trail-oriented fat bike, we installed Rockshox’ groundbreaking Bluto fork. The Bluto is the first widely available suspension fork with clearance for five inch tires. It has 120mm of travel and uses the same general design as Rockshox’ popular Reba fork. With a major suspension manufacturer releasing a fat bike-specific fork, the Bluto is sure to open the floodgates for the popularity of suspension-equipped fat bikes. It will also open up fat bikes to be ridden on more aggressive types of trails. Along with the suspension fork, we installed Rockshox’ Reverb dropper post to easily get the seat out of the way on technical descents, and Magura’s MT7 brakes provide seemingly endless stopping power in a lightweight four piston design.

We rounded out the rest of the build with top shelf parts to keep the weight down for trail riding without affecting durability: Race Face’s ultralight Next SL carbon cranks, a mid-width Thomson carbon handlebar and shorter Elite X4 stem for balanced handling between climbing and descending, ESI's cushy "extra chunky” foam grips, and SQ Labs’ ergonomic 611 Active saddle, which has an elastomer under the shell that allows the saddle to flex slightly with each pedal stroke.

This bike’s total weight comes to 36 pounds, which is quite light for a durable fat bike with huge tires, a suspension fork, and a wide gear range. We will be putting it through its paces over the coming weeks and months. Check our Facebook page soon for a full ride report, and if you’re local to the Bay Area contact us to come by and demo the bike. For a similar fat bike build of your own with the new SPEEDHUB XL – or a wheel build alone – Look through our build options and contact us to see what we can put together for you.

Build Details:

• Frame: Ventana El Gordo
• Fork: Rockshox Reba
• Headset: Hope
• Stem: Thomson Elite X4
• Handlebar: Thomson Carbon Cross Country
• Shifter: Rohloff Twist Shifter
• Grips: ESI Foam
• Seat post: Rockshox Reverb
• Saddle: SQ Lab 611 Active
• Front Hub: Hope Pro2 EVO
• Rear hub: Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14 XL
• Spokes: Sapim CX Ray
• Nipples: Sapim Alloy
• Rims: Sarma Naran 80mm
• Tires: Vee Rubber Snowshoe XL
• Cranks: Race Face NEXT SL
• Pedals: Acros A-Flat
• Bottom Bracket: Race Face
• Chain ring: Gates Carbon Drive
• Rear Sprocket: Gates Carbon Drive
• Chain/Belt: Gates Carbon Drive Belt
• Brakes & Levers: Magura MT7

Taking a four month tour through the Balkan Peninsula in Europe requires a commitment to adventure. As with most self-supported bike trips, you must be prepared for different road conditions, varying weather, and unexpected mishaps. The embrace of the unknown was exactly what inspired this build: the customer, from Santa Cruz, CA wanted a fully-equipped touring bike to set out to see new parts of the world. Based on his criteria, we set him up with a Co-Motion Americano equipped with a Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14, belt drive, generator hub, and an array of other reliable touring components to keep him comfortable during his travels.

When this customer first contacted us about a Rohloff-equipped touring rig for his adventure, he explained that he wanted a bike that would give him the freedom to take off in any direction and be ready for whatever he might come across. This would not be a tightly planned trip; instead, he planned to carry enough gear to give him the flexibility to go wherever he decided along the way. Terrain would include steep mountain passes and winding coastal roads to the flat bike path along the Danube River, with some gravel paths and dirt roads along the way.

The only part of his trip that was planned was the start date, so delivery time for the bike was critical. Our customer wanted to fly to Crete at the beginning of April to explore the island before the summer heat arrived. He had been in discussions with a custom frame builder who could not commit to a firm delivery date, and he started to get nervous as January began. Knowing he wanted a Rohloff hub on his new bike, he started researching alternative frame options and came across some of the other touring bikes featured on The Monkey Lab. He gave us a call to see if we could deliver a bike before his trip, and we suggested a frame from Co-Motion.

Co-Motion has developed a reputation for building high quality, indestructible touring bikes, offering three belt-compatible models designed around the SPEEDHUB. We often recommend their frames to customers for touring builds based on quality, but they also have a very tight production schedule, which was critical for this build. They have consistently delivered frames within their quoted lead times in the past, so when they confirmed that they could meet our time frame, we were confident committing to delivering this bike to our customer in time for his trip. When the frame showed up, we were able to build the bike up in time for some pre-trip break-in rides.

The Americano is one of Co-Motion's most popular touring models. With an intended use for road touring, it fit our customer's needs perfectly. The Rohloff-specific version of the Americano has cable routing and dropouts specific to the SPEEDHUB, a belt drive insertion point, and an eccentric bottom bracket to adjust belt tension. The “Co-Pilot” option adds S&S couplers to allow the bike to pack into an airline legal case and avoid costly oversize baggage charges. Like all of Co-Motion’s frames, the Americano is cut, welded, and painted in their Eugene, Oregon facility.

For the wheels, we opted for reliable, sturdy components to ensure our customer wouldn’t encounter any problem on the road. We started the build with Velocity’s Cliffhanger rims, which have thicker walls than most other rims, and used Sapim Race spokes and brass nipples to lace up a Schmidt SON28 dynamo hub in the front and a Rohloff SPEEDHUB in the rear. Schwalbe’s Marathon Mondial flat-protection tires finished things off.

The SON28 hub provides unlimited battery-free lighting through Busch & Mueller's Luxos B headlight and Toplight Line Plus taillight for when rides go past dark. It also powers Tout Terrain's The Plug USB charger – installed in the steerer tube – to charge electronic devices on the road.

The SPEEDHUB has developed a reputation as the single most coveted piece of equipment for touring cyclists. Its extremely reliable, minimal-maintenance design uses high-grade steel gearwheels that sit inside a sealed oil bath within the hubshell, completely protected from the elements. With 14 speeds that span the same range as a triple mountain bike derailleur system, the SPEEDHUB has enough gearing to cover just about any type of terrain. Global travelers have racked up 125,000+ miles on these hubs with barely any signs of wear inside.

We also paired the SPEEDHUB with a Gates Carbon Drive belt drive, which lasts at least twice as long as a chain, does not need any oil or maintenance, and does not stretch. Together, the Rohloff SPEEDHUB and Gates Carbon Drive system create the longest lasting, most minimal-maintenance drivetrain available on the market and one that is quickly becoming the norm for touring bikes.

Rounding out the build, we chose a variety of components that would ensure comfort for long days in the saddle. Jeff Jones’ H-Bar offers multiple hand position to reduce fatigue on the road, and we wrapped it in thick road bike bar tape for increased comfort. Ergon’s ergonomic GC1 grips have built-in palm rests and a high-rise stem positions the handlebar in an upright riding position. Selle Anatomica’s Titanico leather saddle feels comfortable out-of-the-box and flexes slightly with a rider’s pedal stroke to minimize chaffing. We paired the saddle with Cane Creek’s Thudbuster suspension seatpost to smooth out harsh bumps and road vibrations.

For the final touches, we outfitted the bike with Ortlieb's waterproof Front and Back Roller Plus panniers mounted to a set of Tubus front and rear racks and added full coverage fenders to keep water spray to a minimum. Shimano’s XT touring pedals allow the versatility of being able to ride with or without clipless shoes, offering both a clipless and a platform side.

Our customer contacted us once he got to Europe to let us know that he was just about to set off on his tour and that the bike had come together perfectly. He said couldn’t wait to get going and was glad he decided to have us build a bike that was would handle any possibility. If you’re looking for a fully-equipped touring bike of your own, contact us to start the conversation about what we can put together for you!

Build Details:

• Frame: Co-Motion Americano Co-Pilot
• Fork: Co-Motion Americano
• Headset: Cane Creek
• Stem: Profile Design Aris
• Handlebar: Jeff Jones H-Bar
• Shifter: Rohloff
• Grips: Ergon GC1
• Seatpost: Cane Creek Thudbuster
• Saddle: Selle Anatomica Titanico
• Front Hub: Schmidt SON28
• Rear hub: Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14
• Spokes: Sapim Race
• Nipples: Sapim Brass
• Rims: Velocity Cliffhanger
• Tires: Schwalbe Marathon Mondial
• Cranks: Shimano Deore
• Pedals: Shimano XT touring
• Bottom Bracket: Shimano Deore
• Chain ring: Gates Carbon Drive
• Rear Sprocket: Gates Carbon Drive
• Chain: Gates Carbon Drive
• Brakes & Levers: Avid BB7_MTN
• Rotors: Magura Storm
• Extras: Tout Terrain The Plug USB charger, Planet Bike Cascadia fenders, Tubus Logo rear rack, Tubus Tara front rack, Ortlieb Front Roller Plus and Back Roller Plus panniers and Ultimate 5 handlebar bag, Busch & Mueller Lumotec Luxos B front light and Toplight Line Plus rear light, Topeak Modula EX bottle cage

Neil has been searching for the holy grail of long travel full suspension mountain bikes for quite a while. He has had a number of frames over the years that have worked fairly well, but they all had one or more key issues that he hoped to resolve. Most mainstream suspension frames are essentially the same design with different branding and slightly different aesthetics. They are also designed without any consideration towards use of the Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14.

Neil was looking for a frame that was at least designed with the SPEEDHUB in mind and ideally was optimized for this internal gear hub. Since nothing in the mainstream was meeting this criteria, he had been looking for a custom frame builder who could work with some of his ideas for the perfect Rohloff setup. Unfortunately, most of the details that he wanted to try were too different from what other builders were doing already for them to want to take on the project.

Then, last year at NAHBS, Neil bumped into Alan Klarc, a longtime shop-owner customer of ours and Rohloff SPEEDHUB fan. He was showing a prototype of a downhill frame he had built under his new frame brand, Oxide Cycles. The frame was set up single speed and used two chains and a pair of idler sprockets that spun around a high forward pivot with separate tensioning mechanisms for each chain. This arrangement gave the bike a nice rearward wheel path through the initial part of the travel without the large amount of chain growth that would result from connecting a single chain between the chainring and rear sprocket. The tensioned chain and lack of chain growth also meant there would be no chain bounce noise or derailment.

This setup promised to offer an ideal setup for use with a Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14. Neil asked about making a 150-160mm travel version of this bike for aggressive trail riding, and Alan said he had started working on something, but it wasn't quite ready. Fast forward ten months and the first Battleaxe off the assembly line showed up at our door.

Oxide’s Battleaxe is a 160mm travel frame designed for aggressive trail riding including drops, rock gardens, jumps, and high speed stutter bumps that you would normally find in all-mountain style riding. This one has 29" wheels, but 27.5"/650B wheels are also an option. It is one of relatively few full suspension bikes made of steel, and is designed to be strong enough to handle the abuse of riding rough trails with a little chassis flex to keep the wheels from chattering through bumpy corners.

Like the downhill frame that was shown at NAHBS 2013 (named the Valkyrie), the Battleaxe also uses a single pivot suspension design with a fairly high downtube-mounted main pivot. A pair of idler sprockets attached to the main pivot function as a jackshaft to redirect the chain force. A short chain runs from the chainwheel on the crank to the outer idler sprocket, and a second, longer, chain runs from the inner idler sprocket to the sprocket on the hub. The first chain is tensioned by an eccentric bottom bracket and the second chain is tensioned by sliding dropouts. No additional chain tensioner is needed, as is the case when using the SPEEDHUB on more convention frames.

Aside from the unique aesthetic of the suspension and drive train setup, Oxide's signature dual top tubes help the frame stand out as does the matte black paint job from Spectrum Powder Works that matches the Rock Shox Pike suspension fork. The grey Oxide logo on the down tube is bead blasted steel showing through clear coat with some white highlights for the Battleaxe and "Cycles" logos. Screw-on cable guides along the down tube and swingarm provide clean cable routing, and an exit hole in the seat tube allows use of a stealth dropper post. A razor-blade shaped headbadge gives a finishing touch.

Neil’s wheels consist of a Rohloff SPEEDHUB in the rear and a Chris King ISO disc hub up front, both laced into Sun Ringle MTX 33 rims. Neil tends to be very hard on rims and has a rim graveyard in our workshop full of 29er rims with broken and dented sidewalls. The Sun Ringle MTX33 rims have held up fairly well for him, although he has even detroyed a few of these. These wheels are one of the strongest All Mountain builds we offer and are well suited for the type of riding that this bike is intended for.

The Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14 is also well suited for all-mountain style riding which can be especially hard on derailleurs. Rough trails can often cause a rear derailleur to shift inadvertently as the derailleur bounces around. These trails are also prone to rocks and sticks getting kicked up that can bend or break derailleurs. Since all of the shifting components of the SPEEDHUB are housed inside the the hubshell, it handles rough trails with ease. The hub also has the advantage of being able to shift into any gear at any time, even while stopped, and as fast as the shifter can be moved. This is particularly useful when transitioning from a high speed pedaling descent to a steep climb and need to downshift many gears rapidly. It also offers the advantage of being able to separate braking, shifting, and cornering when tackling switchbacks with large braking bumps.

On the front end of the bike, Neil installed his Rockshox Pike fork, which has became an immediate favorite. It has proven to be very smooth and compliant over big and small bumps over the past 8 moths of use. A Chris King inset headset provides smooth steering, and a Thomson stem holds the fork and handlebars in place. Neil is using Salsa’s 17-degree sweep Bend 2 handlebar because he prefers bars with more backsweep than most. Magura’s powerful MT4 brakes and ESI foam grips complete the setup on the handlebars.

So far, Neil thinks the Oxide Battleaxe is looking very promising on its first rides through the local trails in Northern California. The lack of chain noise was a welcome addition that was easy to get used to. Likewise, the lack of the chain bouncing off the sprockets or getting jammed in a chain guide makes for more enjoyable rides. Climbing feels smooth an efficient, and descending is plush.

Neil is looking forward to taking this bike on trails in California, Oregon, Utah, and Colorado over the coming months. Stay tuned for a full report once Neil has ridden the bike extensively to find out if it is indeed the holy grail. If you’re looking for an aggressive mountain bike of your own, contact us to see what type of Rohloff-specific build we can put together for you. If you want to test ride a Battleaxe, we will have medium, large, and XL demos available later this spring.

Build Details:

• Frame: Oxide Cycles Battleaxe
• Fork: Rockshox Pike
• Headset: Chris King Inset
• Stem: Thomson Elite X4
• Handlebar: Salsa Bend 2
• Shifter: Rohloff
• Grips: ESI Foam
• Seatpost: Rockshox Reverb Stealth
• Saddle: WTB Devo
• Front Hub: Chris King ISO Disc
• Rear hub: Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14
• Spokes: Sapim Race
• Nipples: Sapim Brass
• Rims: Sun Ringle MTX 29
• Tires: WTB Dissent 2.5
• Cranks: Middleburn X-Type
• Pedals: Shimano M636 SPD
• Bottom Bracket: Race Face
• Chain ring: Middleburn Direct Mount
• Rear Sprocket: Rohloff
• Idler Sprockets: Surly fixed gear cogs
• Chain: Wipperman 9SB
• Brakes & Levers: Magura MT4
• Rotors: Magura Storm

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