Some more photos.  It's been a very wet spring so far.  Let's hope for some drier and warmer weather soon.

The finished project

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It's done!  The conversion is complete (minus the cranks).  The offset of the rear hub still makes me do a double take but it works. 

For the wheel, we used a 203mm Monkey bone rather than the Speedbone that Surly's article recommended that I'm sure others will reference when they do their search.  With the OEM2\Monkey bone combination, we were able to set it up so that we can move the hub back and forth to be able to serve a few purposes.

• Chain tensioning
• Wheel removal
• Chain stretch

We were also able to remove the rear wheel without having to loosen the rear caliper which to me is a big plus compared to using the Speedbone.  Also we used a TS hub rather than a CC hub since it's a horizontal dropout and the locknut provides a nice secure method to tighten down the wheel.  Another thing we've used in the past that works very well for horizontal dropouts is Surly's Tugnut.  It provides a great way to tension the wheel precisely and securely.  We may install one on the right dropout. 

However Surly's article is extremely important in that they are approving the use of the disc tab as a fixing point for the hub.  It's important to get the frame vendor approval before the use of the OEM2/Monkey bone solution.  It's a much cleaner setup than the standard torque arm fixed to the chain stay as you can see below in the pictures. 

Still a few things to clean up, cable routing etc.  Install Race Face Turbine Fatbike Cinch cranks to get the proper chainline, install rim tape, tire and we're all good to go.  Pics of final build to come, stay tuned!  As usual, if you have any questions regarding setup and configuration when it comes Rohloff, feel free to email us!

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Surly has to be one of the most innovative companies in the cycling industry.  Fatbikes, big wheels, large tires, on and on.  

They have a dedicated Rohloff mounting slot on some of their frames because they understand their customers and know what they use their bikes for.  Their customers ride; a lot. And they ride everywhere and anywhere all over the planet.   Their frames run full length cabling, multiple water bottle mounts, threaded holes for racks, fenders and trailer mounting nuts.  Pretty much ready for anything.

For an upcoming project, we're converting a Moonlander to use a Rohloff hub.  This earlier frame doesn't have a Rohloff dedicated  mounting slot but we think we can still do it with either the Speedbone or the Monkey bone.  It's something we'll try out and see which is the best option.  In any case, we think it'll be really cool and looking forward to putting it all together.  

Stay Tuned!

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Some more shots that really show we should go out and enjoy the great outdoors.

Now if this isn't cool, I don't know what is! 

Check out the rear Rohloff hub and the size of those tires! 

 Steve send us pictures of his completed bike with the Gates/Rohloff and Gebla Rohbox shifter.  Looking good!  Best part about custom builds is the whole process from beginning to end and finally the pictures.  Because each project is so unique to the owner, each one is never the same and the time and effort really makes all the difference in the end.

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These are by far our favourite (favorite for our American friends) cranks.  They are solid, stiff, Cinch system so easy to install, 30mm BB, use of Narrow Wide rings (which are perfect for Rohloff) and most important of all, the perfect chainline for the Rohloff (135mm version).  It's the only crankset I recommend to all my customers.  If you browse through our bike builds, you'll see it being used a lot :)

Below are some pictures from a customer's bike. 

Every once in awhile, when we finish a build, we don't want to give the build back.  This is one of those projects.  We've always been a big fan of Independent Fabrications and have always respected their work.  Now we've become die hard fanboys!  Stainless Steel Road (SSR) (yes, that's right) Rohloff belt compatible frame.  Talk about custom one off.

And something unique about this build is the use of Gebla shifter box that allows SRAM road Rival 22 dropbar brifters, the first of its kind!  We have these in stock right now.

SRAM BB7 road disc brakes 160mm rotors

Easton EC70SL carbon stem, EC70 seatpost

Raceface Turbine cranks with Cinch BB

Hope Pro2 front disc hub

Gates front / rear sprocket with red belt

Cane Creek 110 headset

FSA Gossamer Compact bars

Ryde Andra 210 disc rims (recommended for Rohloff hubs) build with Sapim Race spokes and brass nipples

If there is one thing that I find unique about cycling which never ceases to amaze me time and time again is the amount of time and effort cyclist put into their ride to make it their own.  This is especially true with bikes equipped with Rohloff. 

Because it falls into the custom / semi-custom area of bicycles, it in a way encourages cyclist to really think about the build of the bike to make it uniquely theirs.

Here is a perfect example of such a build, Van Nicholas Amazon frame, Bushnell Eccentric BB, Gates CDX Centertrack chainring, Shimano XT cranks, Co-Motion shifters and so many little touches that make it unique and the bike greater than the sum of its parts.  Truly an example of a well thought out, full attention to detail and the results show.   You can read about Rhisiart's build at this blog. 

It's deceiving sometimes looking at a bike quickly and not appreciating the amount of work that went into the researching, planning, sourcing parts, fitment, selecting from almost too much  choice to whittle down to the final build, then the ordering and waiting and the building and more waiting of parts and the change of plans and to finally put it all together. 

There is nothing like a custom built bike and it shows.   It's very hard to describe and I think people who custom build their own bikes know the exact feeling and can appreciate the amount of work that goes into it.

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