Wheelworks.co.nz, Handbuilt wheels by Tristan Thomas

Robert is putting together a supercommuter based on a Merida S’Presso. I built a Rohloff from PureSports into an all-black Semi 29er rim with DT Swiss Competition spokes and black brass nipples.

I’ve built a lot of Rohloff hubs but this was the first time that I’ve installed one onto a bike. Installing one of these is very different from a normal geared bike, and at first is very intimidating. Once you figure out how each bit works it’s actually a very simple job – the hardest part is making sure the cable routing looks nice and tidy. The hub deals with all the indexing itself so all that’s really required is running the cables around the roller which actuates the hub.

In a moment of total-overkill I used the lathe to cut the end of the grip. With all twist-shifters you need to cut down the grip to fit, and it’s very important that the end is perpendicular so that the twist shifter can rotate easily. Usually this is done with a craft knife but a parting tool on the lathe did a much cleaner (and quicker) job.

I’ve got another one to install onto a Singular frame once some more bits arrive…