What Rohloff does

Rohloff AG is a privately held German precision-engineering company that designs, manufactures, and sells the SPEEDHUB 500/14, a 14-speed planetary internal gear hub with a 526% gear range and 13.6% step increments. The company, headquartered in Fuldatal, Germany, employs 51-100 people and was established in 1986, building its brand around durable bicycle drivetrain components intended to last the lifetime of a bicycle and beyond. Its products serve four primary use-case segments: long-distance touring and travel cyclists, e-bike manufacturers and users (via Bosch Smart System, Bosch eBike System 2, and Panasonic FIT integrations), high-performance and tandem applications, and cargo bikes requiring high-torque capability.

The technology platform centers on the proprietary planetary gear hub mechanism, augmented by electronic shifting options. The E-14 system enables load-free shifting for e-bikes through CAN-Bus integration with partnered drive systems; the E-14 2.0 generation adds direct Bosch Smart System integration plus a Bluetooth-enabled smartphone app for configuration, calibration, firmware updates, and automatic-shifting features. The most recent release, the E-14 Solo, introduces independent shifting decoupled from any e-bike drive system, broadening the addressable user base. Supporting hardware includes the A12 thru-axle system (12mm reduction compatible with DT/Maxle, Shimano e-thru 12, Syntace X12 V1/V2, and SRAM UDH standards), torque support adapters, and a catalog of specialized tools and maintenance accessories.

Rohloff commercializes through a four-channel distribution model: a dedicated B2B shop portal (shop.rohloff.de) for professional partners, a global authorized dealer network accessed via dealer-finder tooling, direct OEM supply to bicycle manufacturers with frame compatibility testing, and country-level importers and distributors. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; transactions occur through the B2B shop or authorized dealers. The company maintains technology integration partnerships with Bosch eBike Systems and Panasonic FIT (both core, enabling coordinated motor-gear behavior) as well as Gates Carbon Drive (minor, supporting belt-drive compatibility). In March 2026, Florian Kroschewski assumed the Vorstandsvorsitz (CEO role) with Werner Schiller taking responsibility for sales, signaling a leadership transition the company framed as a response to industry-wide challenges.

Name

Rohloff

Legal name

Rohloff AG

Website

https://rohloff.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Rohloff AG is a German precision-engineering manufacturer of the SPEEDHUB 500/14 planetary internal gear hub and E-14 electronic shifting systems, serving touring cyclists, e-bike OEMs, and performance/cargo bike manufacturers through dealer, OEM, and B2B channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Fuldatal

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Bicycle Hub Gear Systems: Sale of SPEEDHUB 500/14 internal gear hubs - the core product line including various versions (standard, CC, TS, OEM, OEM2, A12, PM) for different frame and brake configurations.
2. E-14 Electronic Shifting Systems: Sale of E-14 electronic shifting units including switch unit/trigger, DC/DC-CAN converter, shifter unit, and connection cables in various lengths (400-1000mm).
3. Accessories, Tools, and Maintenance Products: Sale of complementary products including tools, maintenance supplies, accessories, and tuning parts. Also VSF..all-ride certified products.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Rohloff AG manufactures the SPEEDHUB 500/14, a sealed 14-speed planetary internal gear hub for bicycles, and the E-14 family of electronic shifting systems (E-14, E-14 2.0, and E-14 Solo) that electronically control gear changes on SPEEDHUB-equipped bicycles and e-bikes. Its products are aimed at touring cyclists, commuters, e-bike integrators, and bicycle OEMs that require premium, low-maintenance drivetrain solutions.

Product overview

Rohloff AG is a German precision engineering company manufacturing high-quality bicycle hub transmission systems. The core product is the SPEEDHUB 500/14, a 14-speed planetary gear hub offering a 526% gear range. The product line centers on this mechanical hub, with two main electronic shifting add-on systems: the E-14 (1.0) supporting Bosch eBike System 2 and Panasonic FIT, and the E-14 2.0 designed for Bosch Smart System with direct CAN-Bus integration. The E-14 Solo represents the latest independent shifting variant. Supporting products include the A12 Thru Axle System for modern frame compatibility, specialized torque support adapters (Monkeybone, PM Bone, Fatbone, Speedbone), connection cables in various lengths, and mobile apps for system configuration and firmware updates. Accessories include tools, maintenance products, and tuning parts. All products emphasize German engineering precision, durability, and sustainability.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SPEEDHUB 500/14: The flagship 14-speed internally geared bicycle hub
• E-14
• E-14 Solo

Products and services

• SPEEDHUB 500/14 14-speed sealed planetary internal gear hub for bicycles, providing a wide gear range from a single rear hub with low maintenance and high durability for touring, commuting, and e-bike applications.
• E-14 Electronic Shifting System

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Bosch eBike SystemscoreTechnology or IntegrationRohloff E-14 electronic shifting system is designed for integration with Bosch Smart System and Bosch eBike System 2 (BES2). The partnership enables load-free shifting, CAN-Bus communication, and intelligent shift coordination between Rohloff's SPEEDHUB and Bosch's e-bike drive systems.
• Panasonic FIT eBike SystemscoreTechnology or IntegrationRohloff E-14 provides integration with Panasonic FIT eBike drive systems. On Panasonic FIT systems, the E-14 shifting unit is operated through the Panasonic FIT control element RC1 rocker instead of the standard E-14 switch unit.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• SRAM: Major bicycle component manufacturer offering drivetrains, electronic shifting (eTap AXS), and e-bike systems. Competes with Rohloff in the OEM and aftermarket drivetrain space, particularly in premium and e-bike segments.
• Shimano: Global leader in bicycle drivetrain components including derailleur systems, electronic Di2 shifting, and e-bike drive systems. Shimano's broader portfolio overlaps with Rohloff's SPEEDHUB in the e-bike and touring segments, and it is the dominant competitor in integrated shifting.
• Campagnolo: Italian premium bicycle component manufacturer specializing in drivetrains, wheels, and electronic shifting (EPS). Comparable to Rohloff as a heritage European premium brand competing in high-end cycling segments.

Emerging players

• TQ Systems: German manufacturer of lightweight e-bike mid-drive motors and integrated drive systems. Represents an emerging competitor in the premium integrated e-bike segment where Rohloff's electronic shifting complements drivetrains.
• Bafang: Chinese e-bike drive system and component manufacturer with growing global OEM presence. Represents a price-competitive alternative to Bosch in the e-bike market that could pressure integrated drivetrain pricing across the segment.

Direct peers

• Enviolo (formerly NuVinci): Manufacturer of continuously variable transmission (CVT) hubs for bicycles and e-bikes. Competes with Rohloff in the internal gear hub and e-bike drivetrain category with a stepless alternative architecture.
• Pinion: German manufacturer of gearbox-based drivetrain systems for bicycles (Pinion Gearbox), offering integrated bottom-bracket gearboxes as an alternative to derailleur and hub transmissions. Directly comparable technology category to Rohloff's SPEEDHUB.

Regional players

• Yamaha Power Assist Bicycles: Manufacturer of e-bike drive systems (PWseries) competing with Bosch in the global e-bike market. As an alternative drive platform, it represents both a potential future integration partner and a competitor to Bosch-Rohloff integrated solutions.

Others

• Bosch eBike Systems: Core integration partner for Rohloff's E-14 electronic shifting system. While also a broader e-bike drive system supplier, Bosch's Smart System and BES2 platforms are the technical backbone for Rohloff's e-bike shifting products.
• Gates Carbon Drive: Belt drive system manufacturer with confirmed compatibility/integration partnership with Rohloff SPEEDHUB. Both technologies target low-maintenance, durable drivetrains and are often specified together on premium touring and e-bikes.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/rohloff_ag
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/rohloffrabe
• Facebookfacebook.com/Rohloff.AG
• Instagraminstagram.com/_rohloff_

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rohloff