Originally Posted by
Tourist in MSN
The hub typically comes with a 16T sprocket, but the bike builder supplies the chainring. Thus there really is not a stock Rohloff low gear, you (or the bike builder) choose your chainring based on the gearing you want. For my touring gearing, I chose 16.5 gear inches as my lowest gear. With a cadence of 72 that gave me 3.5 mph (5.6 km/hour). I find that cadence is the lowest that is smooth and comfortable for me and 3.5 mph which is the lowest speed I find that I can easily maintain vertical and directional stability without over-steering.
That chainring combination has a ratio of chainring to sprocket of 2.25. Rohloff also has established minimum ratios to prevent over-torquing the hub innards. For most people on a solo bike (not a tandem) that ratio is 1.9, for people that weigh over 100kg, they have a larger ratio. Since I tip the scale at 80 kg, I could have used a lower gear if I wanted to.
Thorn usually uses a 17T sprocket instead of 16T but I bought my Rohloff separate from my Thorn frame so I am running a 16T.
of course, that makes sense. And wheel size must play a small part also. Thats what I like about 26in wheels, a bit lower gearing compared to 700. My Troll is 16.7 to 103 g.i. and works great for that sort of trip, with lots of crap on the bike and who knows what sort of roads.