Splined sprocket reversal for dummies

[Tigerbiten]

I read last night (on the Rohloff site) that the sprockets should only be reversed once,

That's interesting, I've started swapping mine annually now I have moved to splined and it is much easier.  Can anyone explain why they should only be reversed once?

I think it's all to do with chain wear versus sprocket tooth shape and the number of chains usable per sprocket.

[j-ms]

I've had a chance to sit down and read through this again and it makes sense now (which is a bit disturbing given that it is all so simple).  For a non-mechanical person like me it starts with questions like "what is a spline/circlip etc".  Dan's post (http://thorncyclesforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=12095.msg90639#msg90639) was a great help once I got to grips with the terminology.   Thanks for all the input.