Rohloff Disc-Speedhub 500/14 TS/DB, B-O 32h black

Item Speed Hub only. Not as depicted in Photo.. Photo depicts Hub mounted in rim, Oil Change Kit and other hardware. Returning item, very clanging with third party sellers

I don't want to rehash the review I wrote for the more common quick release version of the Speedhub , because the function and features are more or less identical. However, I own both versions, and there are some differences. - A common question asked is, "can I convert my bolt-on hub to a QR?" or vice versa. The answer there is No, the hub is built up around the QR or threaded axle variant at its core, so it would really take a complete strip down of the dozens if not hundreds of components that constitute a Speedhub to make that change. - However, just about every other change can be made for the right dollar amount: internal cable routing (shifting cables enter the hub directly) can be switched to the external gearbox (which is quite a pricey component; it is also required for disc brake use); the non-disc hub cap can be switched out for the disc version; the torque arm pictured with this hub can be swapped for one of the OEM torque arm options (these brackets can interface with your disc brake tabs or adapter, or can fit into special, extra long Speedhub-specific dropouts). - The bolt-on hub -- by my own measurements -- is 20g lighter than the Quick Release version. Not much, given the total weight north of 1800g, but it's something. - The threaded version is less prone to slipping, particularly in horizontal dropout applications where the chain force attempts to pull the hub forward. - Like with any other threaded axle, changing a flat requires a 15mm wrench, so is a bit inconvenient, but at the same time adds a small anti-theft measure (though, sensibly, you'd probably not lock up a bike with a $1300 hub and leave it unattended). - This version of the hub has the same 135mm dropout spacing as the QR version, so can be used in all the same applications, including vertical dropouts. - Arguably, the clamping force of this bolt-on axle design ought to get you a bit of an increase in frame stiffness vs. the Quick Release version, particularly when used on a steel frame with long stays... - ...however, (getting technical here) it's not truly a "thru axle" hub -- the actual axle only protrudes out the drive side. The non-drive side "axle" is, in fact, a bolted-on plate held on with five or six long and skinny machine screws... - ...and as such, Rohloff makes extended length axle threads (reference Rohloff part numbers 8228L, 8233L, and 8235L) for the non-drive side that (among other things) helps with fit on some frames with thicker aluminum dropouts. (The length cannot be modified on the drive side of the hub, since that axle is integral to the hub). - The threaded hub is the unit I use on my mountain tandem, for a bunch of the reasons mentioned above. The Rohloff Speedhub has remained my favorite of everything I've owned or tried from Shimano, Sram and Nuvinci. The price -- yeah, it's a pretty steep barrier to entry. But once I've got the hub, it (and its wheel) moves from bike to bike over the years. My oldest is 10 years old and not a lick of trouble from it. I'm happy to be done with derailleurs.