Yearly maintenance

[flocsy]

Hi,

I purchased a 2nd hand bike 2 years ago. The seller changed the oil in the Rohloff hub at that time and I only rode it for about 500km, and it's in the storage room ever since. Do I really need to change oil because of the 2 years passed even if I only used it for so short milage?

[WorldTourer]

Do I really need to change oil because of the 2 years passed even if I only used it for so short milage?

What you should do and what you need to do are not necessarily the same. I recommend following Rohloff’s instructions to replace the oil yearly, just because Rohloff has very generous warranty if you have maintained the hub according to their specifications. Whether the oil really needs changing after two years of non-use is another question; interestingly, Pinion stopped requiring an annual oil change on their gearboxes, and now advises oil replacement based solely on mileage.

[Tiberius]

Pinion stopped requiring an annual oil change on their gearboxes, and now advises oil replacement based solely on mileage.

Indeed, yet curiously they still insist on proof of an 'annual gearbox service' (their words) in the event of a warranty claim

To the OP. Rohloff oil is cheaper than Rohloff parts. Just change the oil to remove any doubts.

[PH]

I would.  I might have risked the extra year, but do it now.  Not using it (What a shame) is an opportunity for the oil to drain away from whatever it's protecting, and the change acts as a flush and a re-coating.  If when you come to use it again, I'd give it another change if it's been stood for 6 months. If it's going to be a while before you use it again, I'd add the full 25ml of oil and if possible give the wheels a few turns every few weeks just to keep everything moving and lubricated.

[Andre Jute]

I'd change the oil every year even if the bike stands all year. The consideration would be the likelihood of condensation inside the hub when the ambient temperature changes, especially if your bike stands in a heated space in the winter.

Also, I'd spin the Rohloff wheel in gears three and five for a couple of minutes each, which coats all the gears even if the oil has drained to the bottom of the shell.

[flocsy]

Ok, so I'll try to find a place. Unfortunately (as usual) shipping to here is double the set's price. So I will try to get it to my hotel in my next family trip in Europe.

Do these sets (the oil) have an expiry date? I mean when it's in the bottle, unused. Can I buy 1 kit + 4 oil sets for the next 5 years, or will they have some problems after such a long time on the shelf?

[PH]

Do these sets (the oil) have an expiry date?

The bulk oils have a five year shelf life, though that might be from the date they're opened and is likely to be conservative.
In the UK the 250/125ml bulk oil kit is enough for 10 changes and about three times the price of the single shot of flush and oil.  The syringe, pipe and grub screws are all available separately.  Syringe and pipe last forever, some people prefer two sets so one is never used for dirty oil.  Rohloff advise using a new grub screw each time, not everyone bothers to do so.

[mickeg]

I am using lube oil and cleaning oil that I bought more than five years ago.  I bought the 250ml bottles.  I have no concern about using it. 

If you are not aware, Rohloff reduced their recommended volume of lube oil to half what it used to be, so if you buy new bottles now, that is why one of the bottles will be smaller than you expected.
https://www.rohloff.de/en/company/news/news/reduzierte-oelmenge-fuer-oelwechsel-ab-10-2023

I have been following the Thorn recommendation of 15ml of lube oil, and since I have the older larger volume bottles I plan to keep using the 15ml volume. 

[Andyb1]

Current the price of a single change 12.5ml / 25ml oil kit is around £25.
A larger 125ml / 250ml kit (for 10 x changes) is around £82……£8.20 per change.
Time for a Group purchase?

[PH]

Current the price of a single change 12.5ml / 25ml oil kit is around £25.
A larger 125ml / 250ml kit (for 10 x changes) is around £82……£8.20 per change.
Time for a Group purchase?

Originally there was only the options of a single shot or the 1ltr workshop cans, several of us on here did split workshop quantities and it was very worthwhile.  I think the introduction of the 250ml size was cynically priced to reduce people doing so, by the time you've bought containers and added the extra postage the savings are less worthwhile.
I'm not sure where you've got your prices from, the oil prices from SJS are as follows, the other bits are available separately.
Single shot £16 = £16 per use
250/125     £55 = £5.50 per use
1000/500   £140 = £3.50 per use

I bought the workshop cans at the same time as my first Rohloff, split it three ways and it worked out at about £1.50 per change!

[Andyb1]

SJS prices must be among the lowest.  I got the prices I quoted from a short ebay search and they included delivery.   The SJS price for a single shot comes to £19.49 with delivery so still a substantial saving to be made by a Group purchase of larger volumes….and no reason why the oil / cleaner has to be kept in a Rohloff bottle.

[PH]

SJS prices must be among the lowest.  I got the prices I quoted from a short ebay search and they included delivery.   The SJS price for a single shot comes to £19.49 with delivery so still a substantial saving to be made by a Group purchase of larger volumes….and no reason why the oil / cleaner has to be kept in a Rohloff bottle.

Nothing stopping you from trying it, here's someone who did so previously, but then the choice was a litre or a single shot.
https://thorncyclesforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=1109.msg5277#msg5277

What can you offer now?  If you buy 250ml and split two ways, spend a couple of quid on suitable containers, and re-post, someone is going to save £20 over getting twice the quantity.  Buy a litre and split it four ways and the savings are £20 for the same quantity.  I could be wrong, but I don't think those savings over 5+ years is very tempting.  Back when the above thread was posted, it was a different story, saving £8 a year for ten years, at 2007 prices?  But no one now is going to consider buying a single shot every year, are they? That's what I meant by the cynical pricing, there's still a saving to be made, but is it worth the hassle?
I haven't included postage from SJS, you shouldn't need to buy oil in a hurry so it can wait till you have a list.

[Andyb1]

Up until now I have had to buy single shot bottles as the 10 shot bottle was more than I wanted, and I imagine others are in the same situation.

I live close enough to cycle to SJS to collect one 125/250ml set at £55 (PH’s figure) and I would want to split it with one other person.   Add around £6 for signed second class delivery and the total price to them would be around £33.50 for enough for 5 oil flushes and change.  Under £7 per year for 5 years.  Cheaper if they can collect from near Taunton.

If anyone in UK is interested please PM me.

[mickeg]

Hi,

I purchased a 2nd hand bike 2 years ago. The seller changed the oil in the Rohloff hub at that time and I only rode it for about 500km, and it's in the storage room ever since. Do I really need to change oil because of the 2 years passed even if I only used it for so short milage?

If you have never changed it, the Thorn video is pretty good.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVhmgqICNhU

I usually substitute a glass of wine for the recommended cup of tea.