Rohloff has finally released an electronic shifting system for its legendary 14-speed internal gear hub. Called the Rohloff E-14 SOLO, the new system has already been recognised with a Eurobike Award 2026 and is available with either a trigger shifter for mountain bikes or drop-bar shifters for gravel bikes.
This is a significant development because it finally opens the Rohloff hub to the modern mountain and gravel bike markets.
Three years ago, Pinion launched electronic shifting for both flat and drop bars with its 12-speed gearbox, and many bike brands quickly embraced the clean integration paired with an exceptionally durable drivetrain. One of the best examples is the well-priced Priority Gemini.
Now Rohloff has an answer.
A Brief History of Rohloff Shifters
The Rohloff twist shifter has always been one of the most divisive aspects of the drivetrain. Some riders love it, while others never warm to it.
There’s no doubt that it can become slippery in wet conditions and difficult to operate with sweaty, muddy, or sunscreen-covered hands. It also demands a fair amount of grip strength, making it less suitable for riders with limited hand or wrist mobility. And, of course, fitting a twist shifter to drop bars has never been an elegant solution – just look at the photo above.
Fortunately, there have been several clever attempts to solve these problems.
SternShift is probably the neatest electronic shifting system developed for Rohloff hubs. It can even be powered by a dynamo hub, eliminating the need for charging. The downside is that its shift buttons feel more like generic electronic switches than purpose-designed bicycle controls. They lack the ergonomics, tactile feel, and placement of dedicated integrated shifters.
There are also cable-operated aftermarket options such as the Gebla Rohbox and Cinq shifters, which have been around for about a decade. While they work well, they require a long lever throw and don’t allow for particularly fast gear changes.
Shifting Performance
The Rohloff E-14 SOLO changes gears in just 180 milliseconds (0.18 seconds), making shifts feel virtually instantaneous.
One of the best aspects of the system is its simplicity. Unlike many modern electronic drivetrains, there’s no smartphone app, cloud connection, or software updates. It’s essentially just buttons, a battery, and a shift actuator.
That simplicity also means the system is fully backwards compatible and can be retrofitted to every Rohloff Speedhub produced over the past 30 years.
You can shift one gear at a time with a button press, or hold the button down to rapidly change multiple gears in three-speed steps, making it much quicker to adapt to changing terrain.
The Rohloff E-14 SOLO Battery
The E-14 SOLO provides more than 20,000 shifts from a single battery charge. Rohloff says that should be good for around 1,000 to 2,000 km of riding, although that varies based on your terrain and riding style.
The compact battery measures approximately 20 cm long and 2 cm in diameter, allowing it to be hidden inside a seatpost or mounted externally beneath a bottle cage on the downtube, much like a mini pump.
For now, the system is entirely wired. That means it works with wired controllers such as the new TRP Hywire drop-bar shifters, as well as custom solutions like those from Zirbel. However, Rohloff is apparently working on a wireless system too.
Charging is very straightforward. The battery uses a standard USB-C charger and cable, connecting through a charging port positioned near the stem, similar to some Shimano Di2 setups.
Can the Rohloff E-14 SOLO Shift Under Load?
Like every Rohloff Speedhub, the E-14 SOLO cannot shift under full pedalling load.
Although the electronic actuator makes shifts extremely fast and precise, you’ll still need to briefly reduce pedal pressure while changing gears. Fortunately, because the shift is completed in just 180 milliseconds, that pause is very short.
Is It Waterproof?
The E-14 SOLO is designed to withstand rain and water splashes, but it is not intended to be submerged.
Rohloff also advises against using high-pressure washers, as they can permanently damage the electronic components.
How Much Does the Rohloff E-14 SOLO Cost?
The Rohloff E-14 SOLO will first be available to bicycle manufacturers, with aftermarket retrofit kits expected to arrive in 2027.
Retrofit pricing is expected to be around €1,000, making it an expensive upgrade, although it’s broadly comparable to the SternShift system. As with most electronic drivetrains, it’ll almost certainly be more affordable when purchased as part of a complete bike than as a retrofit kit.