If you wouldn’t consider any drivetrain other than a Rohloff hub for your next bike, you probably already know about the Gebla Rohbox. For those less in tune with the eccentricities of a Rohloff, the internal gear hub uses a unique gear set up that requires the use of Rohloff’s twist shifter. That is, if you don’t take advantage of one of the options from third party manufacturers like the Gebla Rohbox.
The news here isn’t that the Rohbox exists, but that it will now be much easier to get your hands on if you happen to be in the U.S….
The defining characteristic of the Rohbox is the ability to use standard mountain or road shifters rather than the traditional twist shifter. The contraption requires two standard shifters that have to be modified by disabling the ratchet mechanism. Once installed, one shifter will shift up, and the other will shift down. Users can choose which shifter does what. Adding to the customization possibilities, even some brake levers and dropper post levers can be made to work.
The Gebla Rohbox will be offered from Cycle monkey in the ratchet box alone, or in complete conversion kits with pre-modified shifters from SRAM and Campagnolo with cables and housing. Available with a black or silver housing, the Rohbox retails for $245, or in the complete kit in a box from $310 (SRAM GX) to $1,230 (SRAM Red Hydro). Speed Monkey will also offer the SPEEDHUB 500/14 with a Gebla Rohbox kit.