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Transmission / Re: Thoughts on laying Rohloff Nomad on side while camping
« Last post by WorldTourer on June 29, 2025, 01:10:37 AM »Is laying the bike on its side (drivetrain since I have a disc brake) a big deal for oil leakage?
I lay my Rohloff-equipped bike down all the time, including last year on the very route you’re on. While oil leakage is a thing with Rohloffs, in my experience it is a very, very slow appearance of oil on the quick-release and around the external-shifting box, which I periodically wipe off with a soapy cloth once a month or so. It isn’t something that happens at once when the bike is laid down.
In the bikepacking scene, where clickstands never quite took off (perhaps because one is so often around soft soil), all the Rohloff owners are usually laying their bikes down on the non-drive side all the time.
You shouldn't have to lay the bike on the drive side in order to protect your disc rotor, the small oil leakage in my experience doesn’t reach the rotor, and in terms of impact the disc rotor should be protected by your seat stay and rear rack. Laying your bike on the non-drive side is the standard practice, just look at how frame bags are designed to be opened on the drive side.
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I'll probably keep a pannier attached on the top side to stop rain from falling into it or find another solution for rain.
The Rohloff is very weather-sealed. You don't need to protect the Rohloff when laying it down outside your tent for the night. If you are still using a chain instead of a belt-drive, though, then of course you have to think about the chain.