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Changing the Rohloff Speedhub Sprocket / Making a Sprocket Tool

Just unscrew the sprocket..

The guys at Rohloff know this, so they have designed the sprocket of the Speedhub to be reversible: Once it's worn down, take it off and put it on reversely, then just ride on. No need to carry a spare, which is a great weight-saving concept. But have you actually ever reversed your speedhub sprocket ? Without Rohloff's special sprocket tool it's easy to spoil the hub and not get the sprocket off at the same time.

Now Rohloff's sprocket tool (part no. 8501) is quite solid and not exactly weight-optimized (52g), chances are high you've left it at home. So what to do if you're far from any Rohloff dealer, your sprocket is badly worn down and you need to change or reverse it ? This page may help.

Disclaimer:
This is a personal web page and not a Rohloff Speedhub service manual. Actually, what you find here is quite in contrast to the official service recommendations and there's a certain chance you damage your Speedhub when trying to remove the sprocket in the way described below. While the suggested approaches work for the author, they are not guaranteed to be workable or safe for you or your gear. If you decide to follow these instructions, do so at your own risk

Make your own Sprocket Tool for the Rohloff Speedhub - Approach no.1

Take your time, if you don't want a result like the one pictured. A washer completes the sprocket tool. Total weight (w/ washer): 46g

It's important that the tool is secured to the Speedhub axle. This is because the tool must not tilt or slip while a high force is being applied.

The sprocket is usually very tight but with a chain whip, wrench, work gloves and some force, it can be loosened. The sprocket has a standard thread, so in normal operation the chain pulls it onto the hub while counterclockwise rotation removes it.

If the sprocket absolutely won't come off, if you got the direction right, try longer levers. For some people it's easier to lock the sprocket tool in a well-anchored vice, then pull on the chain whip with both hands. If nothing works, well, ask a real man for help.

Eventually you'll get that sprocket off.
By the way, turning the Speedhub over with the sprocket off creates an oil spill.

Make your own Sprocket Tool for the Rohloff Speedhub - Approach no.2

How To:

1. Grab your USB stick and visit an Internet cafe
2. Copy the drawing of the sprocket tool and print it, too
3. Grab the CAD files (STEP, STL) as well
4. Visit an industrial park and locate a CNC workshop
5. Have the tool made from steel (might even be that aluminium works, but this is untested)
6. To help with the safe removal of the sprocket, why not make a simple chain whip at the same time. Grab a waste piece of flat steel and drill 3 holes (D = 4 mm) along the edge, then attach 2 short pieces of bicycle chain to these. As you plan to replace or rotate the sprocket, you will have a spare chain. It's normally long enough to serve both the bike and the chain whip.

Nearly as nice as the orignal Rohloff sprocket tool, while custom-CNC makes it more expensive. In exchange for this you get it now, no need to wait for shipping from Germany, no discussion with customs

Use it in the same way as solution no.1