
Pro Tip – Proper Shifting of Enviolo CVT Hub System

The Enviolo Rear Hub system is a continuously variable transmission for an Electric Bike or eBike.

Riese & Muller Culture GT with Enviolo Hub
It is designed to be simple to use while providing very low maintenance. The Hub itself is sealed for the life of the bike it is operating on. There is zero maintenance to be performed by the rider on the Hub itself. On most of the eBikes we offer at eBike Central, this hub system is teamed up with a Gates Carbon Belt Drive, versus a chain, that results in even lower maintenance.
However, it does utilize two cables that run from the Handlebar shifter to the rear hub. The rider of the eBike with this shifting system needs to be aware of the proper method of operation to avoid the most serious issue, which is the over torqueing of the shifter which can result in the cable being pulled through the clamp at the rear. This results in no ability to shift the system.
Also, when changing a rear tire or tube on a wheel that incorporates the Enviolo CVT Rear Hub, there is a process of steps to follow to ensure the wheel is removed properly and then reattached properly.
Following some basic steps can ensure that the rider gets years of life with little to know maintenance with this system.

Enviolo Hub rotated forward
Proper Steps for Shifting:
- New eBikes with the Enviolo rear hub system will demonstrate a shifter that is hard to rotate, at first. In can take a few hundred miles of shifting to fully ‘break in’ the hub.
- Always remember to not force the system either too far in the easiest to pedal setting, forward, or too far in the hardest to pedal setting, backward.
- Though you can shift the Enviolo system at a stand still, stopped, it gets its full range of settings when the eBike is moving. Again, do not force the shifting.
- The most common issue we have seen is when the rider is trying to rotate the Shifter backward, into the highest setting. Not satisfied with the high gear setting, the rider keeps trying to rotate the shifter, forcing it past the highest setting. Result, cable pulls through the clamp, and the eBike can no longer be shifted.
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Enviolo Hub rotated backward
When the cable pulls through from forcing the shifter backwards too far, the eBike will need to be checked in for service at dealer. NOTE, this is not a warranty claim. it is from over shifting or forcing the shifter too far.
- Remember, the Enviolo does have a narrower range of gearing then most Traditional Derailleur & Cassette systems. And will always have a narrower range of gearing then the Rohloff E14 System we also offer on some ebikes.
- Take care not to over shift and you will get many years of low maintenance operation.
Proper Steps for Changing a Tire or Tube:
Watch this video: Assembling the Rear Wheel on Bikes with Manual Hub Interface

Rear Wheel Assembly with Enviolo Rear Hub
Notes:
- You will need a few tools: Wrench that fits your Rear Axle Nut, preferably a torque wrench to get the proper tightness.
- Caution, do not over torque any nuts or screws on your eBike since they can be easily stripped.
Steps:
- Use Shifter to move the shift cable hardware in the rear wheel to an easy to access position, towards back of eBike.
- Remove the Shift Cable Hardware as shown in video.
- Remove the Axle Nuts and No-Turn Washers. If there is a Slide Clamp Pulling holding on the Gates Belt, loosen and slide the pulley wheel down.
- Remove the Rear Wheel, Change the Tire and/or Tube.
- Reverse these steps for proper reinstallation.

Riese & Muller Culture GT Vario with Enviolo Rear Hub System

Closeup of Enviolo Shifter on Handlebar

Enviolo Hub rotated backward

Closeup of Enviolo Shifting Indicator

Rear Wheel Assembly with Enviolo Rear Hub

Closeup of Enviolo Rear Hub, Gates Carbon Belt

Enviolo Shifting Hardware closup, not clamp position and Pulley Wheel.

Closeup of Two Cables leaving the Shifter Mechanism on the Handlebar

Enviolo Hub rotated forward

Enviolo Hub rotated backward