Thorn Cycles Forum
Community => Rohloff Internal Hub Gears => Topic started by: steve4736 on March 02, 2013, 10:18:21 am
-
I have recently purchased two 250ml containers of speedhub oil from H and S Bike Discount in Germany in two different batches. When comparing the two sealed bottles, the colour of the oil is very different. One is a clear yellow, the other is a much darker murky greenish colour with what looks like streaks of black adhering to the inside of the bottle. This stuff is expensive and I'm really surprised this has passed quality control. Has anybody else had a similar experience? I will obviously contact the vendor unless someone has a good explanation as to why I shouldn't be concerned.
-
Someone will be along soon to explain why, but the oil will be fine. Sometimes it's black, sometimes clear. They muck about with the recipe.
-
Dear Steve,
Your description suggests that you have one bottle of the lighter cleaning oil and one of the darker lubricating oil.
From memory the labels on each differ, yellow for cleaning and blue for lube.
Yours, James
-
I have heard, too, that the oil formulation changes over time. That could explain such a difference. But for sure, first you want to distinguish the cleaning oil from the lubricating oil!
-
Just back and looked in the shed. Correction needed. Blue label for cleaning oil and green for lube. So not at all as I remembered.
James
-
...and, if you decide to use it, be sure to shake the bottles first, regardless of formulation. Best to mix it before injecting it.
Best,
Dan.
-
...and, if you decide to use it, be sure to shake the bottles first, regardless of formulation. Best to mix it before injecting it.
Best,
Dan.
Not the two oils, as one sounds like cleaning fluid. Rolholff suggest a 50:50 mix for very cold operation but otherwise just the dark oil.
-
Not the two oils...
Oh, yes, thanks for the correction; sloppy writing on my part, as they would not normally be mixed together.
I was thinking (and my fingers meant to type, but didn't): "If it shows signs of having separated, the contents of the bottle needs to be shaken before injecting it".
There. Much better. Thanks for catching this, geo'.
All the best,
Dan.
-
Thanks for the replies. I can confirm that I have not confused the cleaning oil with the lubricating oil (I also have two bottles of cleaning oil) so am still not sure whether I have a problem or not- the two lubricating oils I have are markedly different in colour, opacity and consistency (one having what looks like smears of black on the inside of the bottle. If anybody could reasure me I would be very happy!
-
Steve,
I would suggest dropping an email direct to Rohloff, perhaps with a couple digital photos attached to see what they have to say. They may identify it as from an earlier batch than the others, or perhaps something has happened in storage, though I can't imagine what would account for such a change. It surely doesn't sound "right" and you're wise to check before using it.
Best,
Dan.
-
Thanks Dan,
Good advice. I have emailed Rohloff with batch numbers etc so will see what they say
Cheers,
Steve
-
Thanks for the replies. I can confirm that I have not confused the cleaning oil with the lubricating oil (I also have two bottles of cleaning oil) so am still not sure whether I have a problem or not- the two lubricating oils I have are markedly different in colour, opacity and consistency (one having what looks like smears of black on the inside of the bottle. If anybody could reasure me I would be very happy!
The black stuff is Molybdenum disulfide. I asked Rohloff about it and they said (and I appear to be repeating myself) it varies. Can I also point out that I didn't doubt your ability to read a label.
-
Hi All,
Back (over 8 years ago) in time Rohloff oil was very very Black (Molybdenum disulfide) and over the years the oil has got lighter in colour! only a little black in the bottle, and Dan is right it needs a good Shake up (warm it in a sunny window helps)
Pete . . . . . . . .
8)
-
Hi
Just have had a look at my two oil-change kits bought a couple of months back from SJS (and then shipped to Australia). In each case they contain:
* One blue label bottle of cleaning oil - pale blue liquid
* One green label bottle of Speedhub Oil - pale yellow with black settled material (molybdenum disulfide I take it)
Both bottles of Speedhub Oil have this black sludge and it is mobile so I assume will mix well with a good shake.
-
Hi
Just have had a look at my two oil-change kits bought a couple of months back from SJS (and then shipped to Australia). In each case they contain:
* One blue label bottle of cleaning oil - pale blue liquid
* One green label bottle of Speedhub Oil - pale yellow with black settled material (molybdenum disulfide I take it)
Both bottles of Speedhub Oil have this black sludge and it is mobile so I assume will mix well with a good shake.
Why did you get them from the U.K?
Your have a Good Rohloff dealer in O.Z.?
Pete . .
???
-
Why did you get them from the U.K?
Your have a Good Rohloff dealer in O.Z.?
There is really only one dealer in Melbourne. I live in the suburbs and don't go into the CBD for work, so a trip in to get gear takes time out of my weekend. I have got into the nasty habit of buying lots of bike gear (and camera gear, camping gear.... even clothing) from overseas on-line stores. The prices have proven to be very advantageous.
It began back in about 2003 when I was upgrading my touring racks to Tubus. The local distributors couldn't give me a reply and their prices were about $209 for the Cargo. I bought one from Germany for $120. It was emphasised in 2010 with the Rohloff hub for $1,120 instead of the local $2,000. Anyway SJS Cycles just has such a great range of touring gear and all sorts of bits that they (and bike24) have become my 'go to' source.
Better than explaining for the Nth (+1) time to some teenage-muppet shop-attendant why you don't like or need Dura-ace 10-speed ::)
-
There is really only one dealer in Melbourne. I live in the suburbs and don't go into the CBD for work, so a trip in to get gear takes time out of my weekend. I have got into the nasty habit of buying lots of bike gear (and camera gear, camping gear.... even clothing) from overseas on-line stores. The prices have proven to be very advantageous.
It began back in about 2003 when I was upgrading my touring racks to Tubus. The local distributors couldn't give me a reply and their prices were about $209 for the Cargo. I bought one from Germany for $120. It was emphasised in 2010 with the Rohloff hub for $1,120 instead of the local $2,000. Anyway SJS Cycles just has such a great range of touring gear and all sorts of bits that they (and bike24) have become my 'go to' source.
Better than explaining for the Nth (+1) time to some teenage-muppet shop-attendant why you don't like or need Dura-ace 10-speed ::)
All OK,
Rohloff's start at $1250nz and go up in New Zealand :)
A lot of Bike shop's in New Zealand till people a Rohloff costs $2000 to $3000 :-[
This is why second hand Hub's sale for more then a New One ;D (I sold off my old Nutted Rohloff for loads)
Better than explaining for the Nth (+1) time to some teenage-muppet shop-attendant why you don't like or need Dura-ace 10-speed
Hay I have started working part time in My LBS so be careful who your talking too :P
I buy from overseas too! Because the wholesalers will not order in a part unless your/I order x100 :o
Pete . . .
:-*
-
Update- I have had this (very fast) reply from Rohloff-
"The black particles can sometimes be seen, other times are hidden. This depends on various factors but most commonly this is either because the clearer oil is slightly better mixed (bottles should always be well shaken before use) or because the one bottle has had slightly more exposure to direct sunlight. Either way, our oil manufacturer has informed us that the oils retain their qualities and guarantees their safe use for 5 years (after which we don't have any test results unfortunately)."
So I guess I have nothing to worry about!
-
All OK,
Rohloff's start at $1250nz and go up in New Zealand :)
A lot of Bike shop's in New Zealand till people a Rohloff costs $2000 to $3000 :-[
This is why second hand Hub's sale for more then a New One ;D (I sold off my old Nutted Rohloff for loads)
Better than explaining for the Nth (+1) time to some teenage-muppet shop-attendant why you don't like or need Dura-ace 10-speed
Hay I have started working part time in My LBS so be careful who your talking too :P
I buy from overseas too! Because the wholesalers will not order in a part unless your/I order x100 :o
Pete . . .
:-*
NZ$1250 for a Rohloff hub seems remarkably good value even allowing for the current strength of the NZ dollar? That's around £600 in our money.
-
the oils retain their qualities and guarantees their safe use for 5 years
Ha! I bought those liter bottles, a lifetime supply of each oil. If they go bad in five years, my grand plan will sure have backfired! Assuming I survive that long myself! But I expect the oil will outlive that conservative guarantee and the actuarial tables give me good odds too!
-
NZ$1250 for a Rohloff hub seems remarkably good value even allowing for the current strength of the NZ dollar? That's around £600 in our money.
Yes, seems pretty good but it'd depend on the model bought. I bought a Rohloff with EX box and OEM plate, in black, from bike24 that cost me $A1120 delivered; then 18 months later an internal-changer hub with long torque arm, in silver, from bike24 also for $A1120. Black anodised and the EX box all costs more. Mine were non-disc; the disc-brake version costs more as well.
-
So I guess I have nothing to worry about!
Wonderful news, Steve! Thanks so much for relaying the word to the rest of us.
Best,
Dan.
-
Ha! I bought those liter bottles, a lifetime supply of each oil. If they go bad in five years, my grand plan will sure have backfired! Assuming I survive that long myself! But I expect the oil will outlive that conservative guarantee and the actuarial tables give me good odds too!
May you live forever, Jim. (Actually, I think that's a Chinese curse! Sorry!)
About the oil, the makers just don't have data beyond five years. But oil has been in the ground for millennia, and the refining process just takes out some muck. It's the chemical additives, the ones that change in light, that may cause a little concern. My own opinion is that the base oil is probably good for anyone's lifetime, and the service is so light, and the change interval so short, that it will make zero difference. Anyway, your bulk purchases are in lightproof metal cans, aren't they? The problem doesn't apply to you, only to oil in plastic or glass bottles.
Andre Jute
-
Anyway, your bulk purchases are in lightproof metal cans, aren't they?
Yes, those big liter flasks are metal. They arrived quite dented, I suspect through the shipping. The head tube of my bike was entirely out of the box! Quite a few big holes in the box, but everything seemed to be there. I really should have photographed that box as it arrived. But of course I could hardly wait to get the bike out! Anyway, despite the dents, those oil flasks still work fine.