Rohloff oil change
Your Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14 was filled at the factory with about 25 ml of Rohloff SPEEDHUB OIL. This small amount lubricates all of the hub’s bearings and gears. Nothing needs to be done when you receive your bike.
When to change the oil
Section titled “When to change the oil”Change the oil at least once a year or every 5000 km. This makes sure there is always enough oil in the hub, even if a little weeps out, and flushes out any condensation or water that has got in.
Change it promptly, regardless of the interval, if you suspect water has got into the hub: for example after the hub was submerged, after cleaning with water pressure, or after the bike was carried in the rain without a cover.
You can have the oil changed by our workshop or do it yourself with the Rohloff oil change kit. Keep the workshop invoice or the receipt for the kit: it documents the service.
The oil change kit (Art. no. 8410)
Section titled “The oil change kit (Art. no. 8410)”
- A 25 ml flushing oil, in a 50 ml bottle
- B 12.5 ml Rohloff SPEEDHUB OIL
- C oil filling hose
- D disposable syringe
- E oil drain screw with new sealant
You also need a 3 mm Allen key and a cloth. A repair stand makes the job easier.
Changing the oil step by step
Section titled “Changing the oil step by step”-
Let the hub reach room temperature, so the oil flows better. Attach the oil filling hose to the syringe and secure the connection with a drop of superglue.
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Turn the wheel so the oil drain screw points upwards, and unscrew it with the 3 mm Allen key.
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Draw 25 ml of flushing oil into the syringe, screw the filling hose into the hub and press the flushing oil in. Before removing the hose, draw a little air out of the hub into the syringe to equalise the pressure. Screw the old drain screw back in for flushing.
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Flush the hub thoroughly: ride at least 1 km, or turn the pedals for three minutes with the bike in a repair stand. Shift often between gears 3 and 5, because all the gear wheels turn in these gears. The flushing oil rinses through the whole gearbox and thins the old oil, so it is easier to draw off.
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If your bike has a disc brake, cover the brake disc and the caliper with a cloth to protect them from oil splashes.
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Unscrew the drain screw again and screw in the filling hose with the syringe. Turn the wheel so the drain opening points downwards, and let it stand like this for about 15–30 minutes so the oil collects. Then slowly draw off all the oil and pour it into the empty flushing oil bottle.
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Draw 12.5 ml of SPEEDHUB OIL into the syringe, screw in the filling hose and press the oil into the hub. To equalise the pressure, draw about 12.5 ml of air out of the hub into the syringe. Unscrew the filling hose.
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Screw in the oil drain screw and tighten it to 0.5 Nm with the 3 mm Allen key. Screw it in at most flush with the housing, never deeper. In Rohloff’s drawing, the correctly fitted screw stands 0.5–1.0 mm proud of the housing. The old drain screw can be reused several times as long as its sealant is not worn; the kit contains a new one.
Winter riding
Section titled “Winter riding”The factory all-season oil works without trouble down to about −15 °C (±5 °C). If the oil has not been changed for a long time, condensation can cause shifting problems even at mild sub-zero temperatures: right after a gear change, the pedals spin without resistance in gears 4, 6, 7, 11, 13 and 14.
To ride safely in winter, change the oil as described above, but instead of 12.5 ml of SPEEDHUB OIL, fill a 1:1 mix of about 6 ml all-season oil and about 6 ml flushing oil (12.5 ml in total). This works best when the whole hub is at about 20 °C. The hub then works even in very cold weather.
You can keep riding the thinner mix in summer. The gear noise of the hub may be a little more noticeable then.
Disposing of used oil
Section titled “Disposing of used oil”Take used oil to a used-oil collection point; it can be disposed of together with motor oil. Pouring it away harms the environment. Store the oils out of direct sunlight and out of the reach of children.
How often does my Rohloff hub need an oil change?
At least once a year or every 5000 km. The change makes sure there is always enough oil in the hub, even if a little weeps out, and flushes out condensation or water that has got in. You can have it done by our workshop or do it yourself with the Rohloff oil change kit (Art. no. 8410).
Does a new Booda need an oil change at delivery?
No. The Rohloff hub is filled at the factory with about 25 ml of Rohloff SPEEDHUB OIL and is ready to ride. The oil is then changed at least once a year or every 5000 km.
Should I add oil if my hub loses a little?
No. Too much oil in the hub encourages leaks, so never top up. A slightly lower oil level caused by weeping seals is not a problem until the next oil change.
