Rohloff Speedhub 500/14 TS DB XL – 170 mm, 32-hole
The Rohloff Speedhub 500/14 TS DB XL (170 mm O.L.D.) is the 14-speed gear hub with a bolt-on threaded axle, disc brake hub cap and Standard axle plate – for bolt-on mounting in frames with horizontal dropouts 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 TS DB XL?
14 gears, 526% range. The top gear of the TS DB XL is 5.26 times the lowest – enough for loaded climbs and fast flats. Rohloff gives about 13.6% between neighbouring gears, so every shift feels the same. 
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. 
Belt or chain. With a single rear sprocket the TS DB XL runs a chain or a Gates Carbon Drive belt; for the belt, Rohloff prescribes the lock-ring splined carrier (8540L or 8540SL). 
Standard axle plate. The classic Rohloff configuration for the threaded axle; chain tension comes from the horizontal dropouts or an added tensioner. 
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.
Solid threaded axle
The TS hub has a solid M10x1 threaded axle and is fixed with axle nuts (15 mm wrench). Rohloff names it as the version for frames with horizontal dropout slots, and for bikes where a bolt-on axle is preferred.
Rohloff does not include a chain tensioner with TS hubs; one is needed with horizontal dropouts shorter than 25 mm or on full-suspension frames with chain growth.
Wide 170 mm rear spacing
Rohloff builds the TS DB XL with the same kit contents as the 135 mm TS DB 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.
Built for belt drive
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?
- Long-distance tourers. A sealed hub with no exposed gears keeps working through rain, mud and dust, far from the next bike shop.
- Frames with horizontal dropouts. The bolt-on TS axle is the version Rohloff names for horizontal dropout slots; axle nuts clamp the wheel firmly.
- 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 want low upkeep. No derailleur to adjust or replace; an oil change once a year keeps the gearbox in shape.
Compatibility and specifications
| Model | Rohloff Speedhub 500/14 TS DB XL |
|---|---|
| Rohloff part numbers | 8062XL – 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 | Solid threaded M10x1 axle (TS), fixed with axle nuts |
| O.L.D. (rear spacing) | 170 mm |
| Torque support | Standard axle plate – the classic Rohloff setup with the Standard axle plate; the threaded axle is clamped with axle nuts. |
| Suits | Frames with horizontal dropout slots, or wherever a bolt-on axle is preferred |
| 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 |
| 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 threaded 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); Standard axle plate; twist shifter, shifter cables and housing with ferrules; 16-tooth splined sprocket; flange support rings |
| Order separately | 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 | Approved in dedicated T (tandem) or C (cargo) versions, max. 130 Nm input torque – on request |
| Service tool | Sprocket remover tool 8508 (135/142/170/177 mm hubs) |
| Spokes | 32 holes; spokes with a 2.9 mm head length required |
TS (threaded axle) disc-brake versions compared
| TS DB | Standard axle plate, 135 mm. The classic Rohloff setup with the Standard axle plate; the threaded axle is clamped with axle nuts. |
|---|---|
| TS DB OEM | OEM axle plate, 135 mm. Made for frames with reinforced, elongated vertical dropouts that are designed for the Speedhub. |
| TS 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. |
| TS DB XL – this product | Standard axle plate, 170 mm. The classic Rohloff setup with the Standard axle plate; the threaded axle is clamped with axle nuts. |
| TS DB OEM XL | OEM axle plate, 170 mm. Made for frames with reinforced, elongated vertical dropouts that are designed for the Speedhub. |
| TS 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. |
Frequently asked questions
Is the standard version the right one for my frame?
The Standard axle plate suits frames with horizontal dropout slots, or wherever a bolt-on axle is preferred. If your frame has an IS2000 or Postmount brake mount or special Rohloff dropouts, another plate may suit it better. Send us a photo of the rear, non-drive-side dropout – Rohloff uses the same check.
Does it work with a Carbon Drive belt?
Yes. Fit the Rohloff lock-ring splined carrier (8540L, or 8540SL for the slim chainline) and a Carbon Drive sprocket; the frame must be able to take a belt. We help you choose the 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.
What does the hub need over the years?
Mainly oil: change it every 5000 km or once a year with Rohloff cleaning and all-season oil. Wear parts – seals, sprocket and carrier, shifter grip rubber, rotors – are replaced as needed; the hub itself carries a two-year Rohloff warranty from purchase.
Can it go on a tandem or cargo bike?
Rohloff approves the Speedhub 500/14 for tandem and cargo use in dedicated versions (article suffix T or C), with a maximum input torque of 130 Nm at the hub sprocket. This listing is the standard version – ask us for the T or C version.
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.