Originally Posted by Rowan
Sorry, but can you tell me just what the low temperatures are that are being discussed. Having spent half a winter in Canada, where the maximum day temps can be minus 38 deg C, I can tell you that for autmotive, industrial and mining applications in truly cold weather, I can believe the performance of oils and greases will change when compared with high-temperature environments. But are the normal ambient temperatures that bicycles operate under -- let's say between 0 and 45 deg C, the low temperatures being referred to in the articles and this discussion?.
The SKF website has a ton of info. This link will bring you to the exact page that talks about operating temps for grease. If you click on the diagrams it gives temp ratings for differnt greases. Diagram 2 lists general types of grease. They list a Low Temperature Performance Limit and a Low Temperature Limit which are what we would be concerned with for bicycles. Below the low temp performance limit the thickener doesn't release the oil as well. They say you should never go below the low temp. limit.
http://www.skf.com/portal/skf/home/p...ewlink=1_0_106