Cycling UK Forum

I recently bought a Rohloff sprocket from a well known retailer based in SW England. On inspecting it I found that that the threads already had plenty of black grease on them and the teeth had curved scratches on them as you might expect a badly fitted chain to make. It was not heavily worn but certainly seemed to have been used on a bike previously.

On complaining to the seller I was informed that Rohloff supply all their sprockets with anti seize compound already applied and that new sprockets are commonly scratched.

So I would like to know from your experience is this really how new Rohloff sprockets look like or should I expect a discount for secondhand goods or should I simply send it back and get a full refund? It seems servicable but I expected a clean, shiny, unmarked sprocket for £27.99.

I never got Rohloff sprockets with grease. But it was not recently
In the video and the instruction they use new grease
https://www.rohloff.de/en/technology/wo ... index.html

You could ask Rohloff

My most recent one (Not from the SW) came with black grease on the threads, can't remember if mine was scratched but it wouldn't have bothered me. If you're not happy send it back.

Here's a photo of one of my spares, just took it out of the packet now to photograph it, so in the condition as supplied by St John St Cycles. I have two and they are both in the same condition.
No black grease anywhere, just a little fine blackness came off the theads when I ran my finger around it, but only what you would expect from machined stainless steel.
The surfaces of the teeth have some very fine markings, but again only what you would expect from machining.

rualexander wrote:H
No black grease anywhere, just a little fine blackness came off the theads when I ran my finger around it, but only what you would expect from machined stainless steel.

Mine had a bit more black on the threads than that, but could have been the same thing.

rualexander wrote:Here's a photo of one of my spares.....The surfaces of the teeth have some very fine markings, but again only what you would expect from machining.

there is also a faint shadow around the teeth; I think this may be a witness mark from a hardening (eg induction) process. If there are scratches in the hardened area, chances are that these were made before the hardening process; all you can do later on is to scuff the plating, which is merely cosmetic anyway.

The last operation will be plating, and many forms of plating will actually enhance pre-existing surface marks, rather than cover them up. I don't think slight marks are at all unusual on functional parts that are made in small volumes, and nor will they affect the service life.

cheers

rotavator wrote:I recently bought a Rohloff sprocket from a well known retailer based in SW England. On inspecting it I found that that the threads already had plenty of black grease on them and the teeth had curved scratches on them as you might expect a badly fitted chain to make. It was not heavily worn but certainly seemed to have been used on a bike previously.

On complaining to the seller I was informed that Rohloff supply all their sprockets with anti seize compound already applied and that new sprockets are commonly scratched.

So I would like to know from your experience is this really how new Rohloff sprockets look like or should I expect a discount for secondhand goods or should I simply send it back and get a full refund? It seems servicable but I expected a clean, shiny, unmarked sprocket for £27.99.

Uhm.... Rohloff sprockets are quite hard and durable, so cannot see them being "scratched" unless we're talking about a fairly even discolouration/shade?
Never saw them coming with grease on the threads either!

rotavator wrote:... I was informed that Rohloff supply all their sprockets with anti seize compound already applied

Rohloff says that is true, BUT it is a light grey plastic coating and NOT black and greasy

I have been in touch with Rohloff and they confirm that the black grease/anti seize compound is applied to the threads by them. The reason is that they have had complaints that their sprockets were prone to seizing so presumably the bike mechanics have not been applying any or enough of the stuff (or the wrong stuff) when assembling bikes. This was certainly the case for me as it took about three hours of grunting, sweating and swearing on Sunday to get the old sprocket off.

Did they tell you, that they use black grease?
(not to me)

rotavator wrote:This was certainly the case for me as it took about three hours of grunting, sweating and swearing on Sunday to get the old sprocket off.

Have you tried the squeeze method of removal? It's the appliance of science rather than brute force, it's surprising how much easier it is. I'll dig out the youtube vid when at home, unless someone cares to do so first.

rofan wrote:Did they tell you, that they use black grease?
(not to me)

No, the Rohloff person who e-mailed me said he did not know the correct English translation of the name of the material but it looks like black grease so that is what I called it or you could say anti-seize compound instead.

PH wrote:

rotavator wrote:This was certainly the case for me as it took about three hours of grunting, sweating and swearing on Sunday to get the old sprocket off.

Have you tried the squeeze method of removal? It's the appliance of science rather than brute force, it's surprising how much easier it is. I'll dig out the youtube vid when at home, unless someone cares to do so first.

I have never of the squeeze method so please post the link.

rotavator wrote:

PH wrote:

rotavator wrote:This was certainly the case for me as it took about three hours of grunting, sweating and swearing on Sunday to get the old sprocket off.

Have you tried the squeeze method of removal? It's the appliance of science rather than brute force, it's surprising how much easier it is. I'll dig out the youtube vid when at home, unless someone cares to do so first.

I have never of the squeeze method so please post the link.

Here you go
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XD2K1lrES4E

I read about this and didn't quite get it till I saw the vid, now wouldn't do it any other way.

is that brucey of this manor?

rohloff hubs. i know nothing. why so expensive?