SPROKET RATIOS
The Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14 has a 526% range of gears, that means gear #14 is 5.26 times greater than gear #1. All 14 gears are evenly spaced out over this range in 13.6% increases. Through the choice of chainring and sprocket in use, the Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14 can be tuned for the specific riding purpose. The Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14 comes standard with a 16 tooth sprocket. 13, 15 and 17 tooth sprockets are available as alternatives.
In the following tables the distance travelled per crank revolution is listed for gears #1 and #14. The listed distance travelled per crank revolution is shown in the tables for a variety of sprocket ratios and wheel sizes (20", 26" and 28" wheels).
Should the particular wheel/sprocket/chainring size and gear not be listed in the tables, then the following formula can be used to calculate the exact distance travelled per crank revolution of the Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14:
Distance travelled per crank revolution = W x C / S x IGR.
Formula key:
W = Wheel circumference
C = Chainring size
S= Sprocket size
IGR = Inner gear ratio listed in the following table Inner gear ratio
IGR = hub revolutions per sprocket revolutions of the Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14
| Gear: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| IGR | 0,279 | 0,316 | 0,360 | 0,409 | 0,464 | 0,528 | 0,600 | 0,682 | 0,774 | 0,881 | 1,000 | 1,135 | 1,292 | 1,467 |
The tables or the following formula can be used to compare the Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14 to a derailleur gear system:
Ratio of the derailleur gear system = C / S
Ratio of the Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14 = IGR x C / S
Smallest permittable sprocket ratios
The sprocket ratio on the Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14 (e.g. 42/16) converts the slow rotational speed at the crank into a fast rotational speed at the sprocket and reduces the input torque for the Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14 in the same proportion. To prevent overstraining the hub, a minimum sprocket ratio of 2.35 must be used. With the available sprockets these minimum ratios are achieved by: 40/17, 38/16, 36/15 and 32/13. This resembles a derailleur transmission of 22/34. Larger chainrings can be used without exceptions.
Attention!
If mounted on a tandem or if the rider weighs over 100kg, the following sprocket ratios must not be undercut: 32/13, 38/15, 40/16, 42/17.
Table of distance travelled per crank revolution (17kB)
Derailleur gears in comparison to Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14 (20kB)
Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14 in comparison to derailleur gears (21kB)