Originally Posted by KonaRider24
The frame doesn't have to be specifically built for rohloff. speedhub.nate has an Iron Horse mkIII with a Rohloff. And that frame isn't designed with a speedhub in mind.
oh i know that. however, if you are not careful, the torque of the hub in certain gears can bend and/or rip out of the dropouts. (there are a lot of guys with them on the 29er MTBR forums)
plus there is the issue of cable routing. a frame made for them can have a cleaner look. a lot of those guys replaced their cables right away too.
there are multiple ways to secure the hub: one involves the clunky speedbone another one can clamp to the left chain stay.
the major plus is a really solid wheel. i still like them and can justify the price, but after seeing the bent dropouts and stuff i just don't know if i feel like doing that to my frame.
its still cool though. for my 29er, i am leaning towards a SS Hadley hub which allows, i believe, 4 or 5 gears. this comes with the bonus of wider flanges for more lateral rigidity on 29er wheels. i9 also has sweet 29er SS hubs that can run 4 gears. those would be nice too. not sure what i will do yet...hadley, i9, or rohloff