Chain lubrication

A constant lubricating film in the link can improve the durability of the chain substantially. However, this is not easily achieved because the link movements are small while the pressures are very high which makes difficult sustaining the lubricant film.

Only special lubricants will be able to cope with the unique conditions to be found in the link of a chain:

• Firstly, the lubricant must be able to creep into the link and between the moving parts. Secondly, the lubricant must be able to withstand the high pressures in the link.
• A lubricant without this extremely important property will be displaced by the pressure with the effect that metal rubs on metal as if there were no lubricant at all.

Our tests have shown that most available lubricants do not fulfill these requirements. Most products do prevent rust and are better than no lubrication at all, but are not suitable for the hard conditions in the link of a chain.

These lubes are in particular the popular silicon and teflon products, but also all very liquid oils. Unsuitable for correct lubrication are also all products which claim to have a cleaning and/or rust removing effects.

In order to give the user a secure alternative in terms of lubricating the chain, we have developed the automatic chain lubrication system Rohloff LUBMATIC and the biodegradable, pressure resistant Rohloff special chain lubricant Oil of Rohloff. This high performance lubricant creeps under water and has a stable viscosity over a wide temperature range.

For off road trips and riding in the cold period you can additionally protect your chain by using a wax spray. However, the wax does not lube your chain, therefore it should only be used after lubrication. The wax film reduces the amount of dirt sticking on the chain and partly protects the link against dirt and water. Please only use thick products which leave a noticeable white wax film.