Rohloff Speedhub 500/14 A12 DB PM XL – 177 mm
The Rohloff Speedhub 500/14 A12 DB PM XL (177 mm O.L.D.) is the 14-speed gear hub with a 12 mm thru axle, disc brake hub cap and PM axle plate – for frames with a Postmount disc brake mount and wide 177 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 A12 DB PM XL?
Fourteen even gears. Rohloff spaces the 14 gears evenly, about 13.6% apart, across a 526% total range – steep loaded climbs and quick flat stretches with one shifter. 
Sealed oil bath. The three planetary gear sets run in oil inside the closed hub shell. Rohloff asks for an oil change every 5000 km or once a year – no cassette and no derailleur to clean. 
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. 
One shifter, no front mech. All 14 gears sit on one twist shifter with two cables – no front derailleur, no chain jumping between rings. Shift while rolling or standing; ease off the pedals as you do.
12 mm thru axle, measured to your frame
Thru-axle dropouts differ between frame makers (Shimano, DT/Maxle, Syntace, SRAM UDH and others). Rohloff therefore requires the frame to be measured with the A12 dropout measurement kit (8600) before an A12 hub is fitted; the result tells you which reduction sleeves and spacers (8592–8599) you need.
The DB hub cap places the rotor 16.3 mm from the dropout, as the IS1999 standard asks. Send us your frame details – as an official Rohloff service centre we check the fit with you.
Wide 177 mm rear spacing
Rohloff builds the A12 DB PM XL with the same kit contents as the 142 mm A12 DB PM version, but with a 177 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.
Speedhub and Gates – our daily work
Massive Bikes started in Budapest in 2013 with Gates belt and gear hub conversions – today our BoodaBike Pulse touring bike rolls on a belt and 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?
- Expedition and world tourers. Fewer parts to wear out on the road: no derailleur hanger to bend, no cassette to replace far from home.
- Gravel and MTB riders with thru-axle frames. The A12 axle brings the Speedhub to 12 mm thru-axle frames with 177 mm spacing.
- Fat-bike and wide-tyre builders. The 177 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 A12 DB PM XL |
|---|---|
| Rohloff part numbers | 8097PMXL – 32-hole, black (the 177 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 | 12 mm thru axle (A12) |
| O.L.D. (rear spacing) | 177 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 | Modern frames with 12 mm thru-axle dropouts, 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 thru 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; A12 reduction sleeves / spacers (8592–8599), worked out with the Rohloff A12 dropout measurement kit (8600) – a correct A12 mount is not possible without them; 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 |
A12 (thru axle) disc-brake versions compared
| A12 DB OEM2 | OEM2 axle plate, 142 mm. Anchors the output torque of the hub to the rearmost mounting hole of an IS2000 disc brake mount. |
|---|---|
| A12 DB PM | PM axle plate, 142 mm. Anchors the output torque to the rearmost mounting hole of a Postmount disc brake mount, via the PM Bone. |
| A12 DB OEM2 XL | OEM2 axle plate, 177 mm. Anchors the output torque of the hub to the rearmost mounting hole of an IS2000 disc brake mount. |
| A12 DB PM XL – this product | PM axle plate, 177 mm. Anchors the output torque to the rearmost mounting hole of a Postmount disc brake mount, via the PM Bone. |
| A12 DB OEM2 XXL | OEM2 axle plate, 197 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.
Do I really need the A12 measurement kit?
Yes. Rohloff states that A12 frames must be measured with the dropout measurement kit (8600) to work out the reduction sleeves (8592–8599); without them the hub cannot be mounted correctly. We supply the sleeves and help with the measurement.
Is it belt-drive compatible?
Yes – the A12 DB PM XL takes a Gates Carbon Drive sprocket on the Rohloff lock-ring splined carrier (8540L / 8540SL). Ask us for the right sprocket size for your gearing.
Why is the XL hub only in black and 32-hole?
Rohloff makes the 177 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.