General Cycling Discussion - Speedhub oil

Does anyone know what oil type/viscosity Rohloff use in their Speedhub? I want a cheaper easily found replacement for their Rohloff branded "Gear Lubricant (winter and summer)" and "Lubricant Change Assistant Fluid". Thanks.

Try contacting the company or looking at the specs on their lubricant.

If you use a cheaper oil that is chemically incompatible w/ the original oil in the hub, it could separate, coagulate or do other nasty things that will shorten the life of your hub. I don't know what Rohloff oil costs, but it's probably cheap compared to the price of the hub itself, and worth it if you want the hub to last (not to mention, use of an incompatible oil will probably void any warranties...)

You might check out Sturmy Archer oil to see if it has the same formula as the Rohloff.

One of the guys I know that is also running a Speedhub has used Mobil 1 to no ill effect. Thomas at Rohloff did voice some concern that the Mobil 1 may cause premature deterioration of some of the internal seals, and said this practice voids the warranty. I just use the Rohloff all weather stuff, I got a quart for 25 or 30 bucks, will last a looong time, I think each yearly oil change takes 35 mL, right? A cheap investment for maintaining an expensive piece of equipment. While I believe that synthetic oils will not harm the Speedhub, I doubt that they are better lubricants, so for me there is no incentive to use something other than the factory approved oil. My .02

Rob

Considering that the hub itself costs $800+/-, an extra $25 -$30 for a quart of oil that will probably last as long as you own the bike, at 35 ml per annual service, seems like a small price to pay to protect you investment...