Rohloff Speedhub 500/14 CC DB PM XL – 170 mm, 32-hole
The Rohloff Speedhub 500/14 CC DB PM XL (170 mm O.L.D.) is the 14-speed gear hub with a quick-release axle, disc brake hub cap and PM axle plate – for frames with a Postmount disc brake mount and wide 170 mm rear spacing. 14 evenly spaced gears, a 526% range and a sealed oil bath give you a drivetrain that works with a chain or a Gates belt and needs little more than a yearly oil change.
Why the Speedhub 500/14 CC DB PM XL?
526% in one hub. From the lowest to the highest of its 14 gears the CC DB PM XL covers a 526% range, in steps of about 13.6% (Rohloff figure) – no overlapping or duplicate ratios as on a double chainring. 
Closed and oil-lubricated. Three planetary gear sets, enclosed and lubricated by oil. The regular job is an oil change every 5000 km or once a year with the Rohloff oil change kit. 
Made for a Gates belt. Belt-drive frames are usually built around a Speedhub. Fit a Carbon Drive sprocket on the Rohloff lock-ring carrier for a clean, quiet drivetrain. 
Torque support on the Postmount. The PM axle plate passes the hub torque to the rearmost hole of the Postmount brake mount through the PM Bone (8555), which is ordered separately. 
DB hub cap for disc brakes. Disc brakes mount on a special Rohloff 4-hole rotor (Ø160–220 mm, for 1.8, 2.0 and 2.3 mm brake systems). Rotor screws are in the box; the rotor itself is ordered to suit your brake. 
Change gear at a standstill. Stopped on a climb in too high a gear? Twist down before you set off. Shifting works rolling or stationary; just take the pressure off the pedals for a moment.
Quick-release axle for vertical dropouts
The CC hub has a hollow axle for a standard quick-release skewer. Wheel removal stays simple: the external gear mech comes off by loosening one screw, then the wheel comes out like any other.
Rohloff supplies this version without a chain tensioner; if your frame has no tensioning of its own, add one (8250).
Wide 170 mm rear spacing
Rohloff builds the CC DB PM XL with the same kit contents as the 135 mm CC DB PM version, but with a 170 mm O.L.D. for wide rear ends – only in black, with 32 spoke holes and a disc brake hub cap.
For service, the XL hub uses its own axle-plate screws (8236XL) and paper gaskets (8714XL); the sprocket remover tool is the standard 8508.
Belt drive, the BoodaBike way
At BoodaBike (Massive Bikes) we started in 2013 by fitting Gates belt drives and gear hubs, and our own BoodaBike Pulse is a belt-drive touring bike with a Rohloff Speedhub.
For a Carbon Drive sprocket Rohloff specifies the lock-ring splined carrier (8540L for the standard or 8540SL for the slim chainline); the 16-tooth sprocket in the kit is for chain use. Tell us your frame and we help you pick the carrier and sprocket.
Who is it for?
- Touring cyclists. Loaded climbs in the low gears and steady cruising on top – with a hub that shrugs off bad weather.
- Riders with quick-release frames. The CC axle takes a standard quick-release skewer, so the wheel comes out without special tools.
- Fat-bike and wide-tyre builders. The 170 mm O.L.D. matches wide rear ends; this version is made in black with 32 spoke holes.
- Riders who value comfort. Shifting at a standstill and one simple twist shifter make every ride relaxed – useful in town and on long climbs.
Compatibility and specifications
| Model | Rohloff Speedhub 500/14 CC DB PM XL |
|---|---|
| Rohloff part numbers | 8027PMXL – 32-hole, black (the 170 mm version is made in black with 32 spoke holes only) |
| Gears / range | 14 gears, 526% total range, three planetary gear sets in an oil bath |
| Axle | Hollow quick-release axle (CC) |
| O.L.D. (rear spacing) | 170 mm |
| Torque support | PM axle plate – anchors the output torque to the rearmost mounting hole of a Postmount disc brake mount, via the PM Bone. |
| Suits | Frames with vertical dropouts and a quick-release rear wheel, with a Postmount disc brake mount |
| Brake | Disc brake (DB) hub cap for a special Rohloff 4-hole rotor (Ø160–220 mm, 1.8 / 2.0 / 2.3 mm); rotor not included |
| Gear mech | External gear mech with twist shifter and two shifter cables; Rohloff also builds this version with the electronic E-14 gear mech (separate article) |
| Belt drive | Gates Carbon Drive compatible with the Rohloff lock-ring splined carrier (8540L / 8540SL) and a Carbon Drive sprocket |
| In the kit | Speedhub 500/14 hub with quick-release axle; disc brake (DB) hub cap for the special Rohloff 4-hole rotor, with rotor mounting screws; external gear mech (transfer box and cable box); PM axle plate; twist shifter, shifter cables and housing with ferrules; 16-tooth splined sprocket; flange support rings |
| Order separately | PM Bone (8555) – required with every PM axle plate; it also works as a brake adapter, so the next-larger brake rotor is needed; Rohloff 4-hole brake rotor that matches your brake (rotor not included; the rotor mounting screws are included); Chain tensioner – not included; needed if the frame has no chain tensioning of its own (Rohloff names horizontal dropouts shorter than 25 mm and full-suspension frames with chain growth) |
| Tandem / cargo | Not approved for tandem or cargo use (PM versions) |
| Service tool | Sprocket remover tool 8508 (135/142/170/177 mm hubs) |
| Spokes | 32 holes; spokes with a 2.9 mm head length required |
CC (quick-release) disc-brake versions compared
| CC DB | Standard axle plate, 135 mm. The classic Rohloff setup: the kit comes with the Standard axle plate and the mounting hardware. |
|---|---|
| CC DB OEM | OEM axle plate, 135 mm. Made for frames with reinforced, elongated vertical dropouts that are designed for the Speedhub. |
| CC DB OEM2 | OEM2 axle plate, 135 mm. Anchors the output torque of the hub to the rearmost mounting hole of an IS2000 disc brake mount. |
| CC DB PM | PM axle plate, 135 mm. Anchors the output torque to the rearmost mounting hole of a Postmount disc brake mount, via the PM Bone. |
| CC DB XL | Standard axle plate, 170 mm. The classic Rohloff setup: the kit comes with the Standard axle plate and the mounting hardware. |
| CC DB OEM XL | OEM axle plate, 170 mm. Made for frames with reinforced, elongated vertical dropouts that are designed for the Speedhub. |
| CC DB OEM2 XL | OEM2 axle plate, 170 mm. Anchors the output torque of the hub to the rearmost mounting hole of an IS2000 disc brake mount. |
| CC DB PM XL – this product | PM axle plate, 170 mm. Anchors the output torque to the rearmost mounting hole of a Postmount disc brake mount, via the PM Bone. |
| CC DB OEM2 XXL | OEM2 axle plate, 190 mm. Anchors the output torque of the hub to the rearmost mounting hole of an IS2000 disc brake mount. |
Frequently asked questions
What else do I need to order with the PM version?
The PM Bone (8555). Rohloff makes it a required part for every PM axle plate and it is not in the hub kit. Because the PM Bone also acts as a brake adapter, you need the next-larger Rohloff brake rotor. PM versions are not approved for tandem or cargo bikes.
Can I use it with a Gates belt drive?
Yes, in a belt-ready frame. Rohloff specifies the lock-ring splined carrier (8540L standard or 8540SL slim chainline) for Carbon Drive sprockets. We build belt-drive Rohloff bikes ourselves and supply the matching parts.
Why is the XL hub only in black and 32-hole?
Rohloff makes the 170 mm XL hubs only as 32-hole disc-brake versions in black. For service use sprocket remover tool 8508, and the XL/XXL axle-plate screws (8236XL) when changing the axle plate.
How much maintenance does it need?
An oil change every 5000 km or once a year. Rohloff notes the hub keeps working even if some oil is lost, but delaying the oil change can damage the gears. The warranty is two years from purchase; wear parts such as seals, sprockets, shifter grip rubber and rotors are excluded.
About Rohloff
Rohloff AG is based in Fuldatal, Germany, and makes the Speedhub 500/14 – a 14-speed gear hub known for its wide range and its sealed oil bath – together with its shifting parts, axle plates, spokes and service tools.
BoodaBike (Massive Bikes, Budapest) is an official Rohloff service centre trained by Rohloff and an official European distributor of Rohloff hubs and parts. We fit, convert and service Speedhubs and help you choose the right version for your frame.