Type of oil for the rower chain

[blues_]

Virtually any big box store or pharmacy would carry pharmaceutical grade mineral oil. I've used it before moving on to motor oil and it works just fine. Viscosity is more than adequate and it doesn't fling if put on as recommended.

This thread is getting like "how many rowers does it take to change a light bulb?" or a famous scene from Abbott & Costello.

[jackarabit]

Single-grade Oil
Continuing the discussion from short answer above, Society of Automotive Engineers, or SAE, has successfully deployed motor oil grading system, which we all use universally. The confusion of using “weight” all started from SAE J300 designation rules for single-grade oil. Often, single-grade oil is used in industrial applications where temperature does not vary significantly or for specialty uses, including certain classic cars, air compressors, and lawnmowers. According to the definition SAE J300, there are 11 single-grade oil types available: 0W, 5W, 10W, 15W, 20W, 25W, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60. All the numerical values are correctly referred to as “weight” or “straight-weight” oils. It is correct to say 20 weight oil for 20; 5W shall be called 5 weight winter-grade oil. Yes, that W remains “winter” no matter what.

—above excepted from the “disambiguation” link posted earlier. Very clear that “W” following numeral references winter service viscosities. But the weight is UNDERSTOOD from the NUMERICAL designation. Thusly “0 thru 25 [weight] winter grade oil” and “20 thru 60 [weight] for 3-season operation in temperate climes.

White (clear) mineral oil) is the chain lube that shipped with new Concept 2 rowers until recently. It is no longer supplied. Everyone is free to choose her own chain lube. If it’s thin enuf to get between the side plates and drive links, thick enuf to stay there, and has the lubricity of soap, hair oil, or bacon grease, it will do.

[Allan Olesen]

It is correct to say 20 weight oil for 20

My point still stands:
Weight may be very correct in your local area. But Concept2 are sold internationally. So internationally known terms should be used when describing the required lubricant.

Where I live, we have absolutely no idea what the natives in a country far away mean when they say "20 weight". But we know what a SAE 20 oil is.

[rr0ss0rr]

Got a response from WD40 Customer Support

3-In-One Multi-Purpose Oil - SAE 17 - severely hydrotreated heavy naphthenic oil
3-In-One Motor Oil - SAE 20 - highly refined mineral oil

[jackarabit]

It is correct to say 20 weight oil for 20

My point still stands:
Weight may be very correct in your local area. But Concept2 are sold internationally. So internationally known terms should be used when describing the required lubricant.

Where I live, we have absolutely no idea what the natives in a country far away mean when they say "20 weight". But we know what a SAE 20 oil is.

Sorry Allan, I did not write the words you clipped from the article interpreting the SAE J300 viscosity designations. The article states that the grading system was intended for “universal” application and adoption. SAE20 by any name would smell the same and lube a chain. Just cause you got a shiny little axe don’t mean you own the forest!

[Carl Watts]

I think you guys are going a bit over the top with the oil for a chain on a rower. You can basically throw anything on it that you use in your car. That chain is transmitting stuff all power, even if you look at the peak power.

If you REALLY want a bun fight, join an automotive forum and try and discuss the merits of various oils !!!!! The oil has to work its ass off in that environment and what you use actually matters.

[Allan Olesen]

The article states that the grading system was intended for “universal” application and adoption.

Well, the "weight" term was not adopted universally, even though that may have been the intention. Engineers of one country do not really have the power to decide what should be adopted in other countries.

So once again: If Concept2 wants to do international business, they have to use internationally known terms in their servicing recommendations, instead of just assuming that everyone know the terms in their local village.

[Citroen]

Well, the "weight" term was not adopted universally, even though that may have been the intention. Engineers of one country do not really have the power to decide what should be adopted in other countries.

So once again: If Concept2 wants to do international business, they have to use internationally known terms in their servicing recommendations, instead of just assuming that everyone know the terms in their local village.

You may achieve that some short time after the US of A adopts metric/ISO units for measurement.

[c2jonw]

Allan Olesen wrote:
Well, the "weight" term was not adopted universally, even though that may have been the intention. Engineers of one country do not really have the power to decide what should be adopted in other countries.

So once again: If Concept2 wants to do international business, they have to use internationally known terms in their servicing recommendations, instead of just assuming that everyone know the terms in their local village.

You may achieve that some short time after the US of A adopts metric/ISO units for measurement.

You may achieve that some short time after the US of A adopts metric/ISO units for measurement.

Good one
But seriously I'll pass the word along to the tech team to include the SAE designation when discussing oil recommendations. Thanks for the heads up. C2JonW

[Kafka]

Jeez, we're getting some mileage on this one aren't we!

Bike chain oil.

It's not rocket science!

[jackarabit]

Got a response from WD40 Customer Support

3-In-One Multi-Purpose Oil - SAE 17 - severely hydrotreated heavy naphthenic oil
3-In-One Motor Oil - SAE 20 - highly refined mineral oil

—and at http://shop-uk.concept2.com/search?cont ... it_search=, we find:



Wow, lookit here! Not listening to the yokels from the Green Mtns. Result: peddling an inappropriate chain lube [3-in-1 Multi-Purpose, viscosity designation SAE 17]. Whoee, takes my breath away! No wonder C2UK is no more. Lubrication is indeed a slippery business!

[blues_]

[jackarabit]

Never associated lube with dead horses. Gelatin maybe, Whale oil was once big for both illumination and lubrication. Salmon and anchovy should work; oxidative instability might be a problem. Broiled herring? Would rendered essence of diving duck work? Stink and desirability are often found in company. Groundhog, armadillo—both good n greezy. . I’m gonna try some of that there Moroccan hair oil (Argan) on my chain, see if it’s easier to Yank.

[blues_]

Never associated lube with dead horses. Gelatin maybe, Whale oil was once big for both illumination and lubrication. Salmon and anchovy should work; oxidative instability might be a problem. Broiled herring? Would rendered essence of diving duck work? Stink and desirability are often found in company. Groundhog, armadillo—both good n greezy. . I’m gonna try some of that there Moroccan hair oil (Argan) on my chain, see if it’s easier to Yank.

That's how they keep horse feathers preened and glossy.

[Carl Watts]

Some grease dribbled out of my Carl's Junior the other night, it was one of those Jim Beam Bourbon burgers, simply delicious.

Kept the burger wrapper to put that grease on my chain.....top quality Angus Beef and 100% edible if it flys off into my mouth during that 500m PB attempt.