Errrr Lube?

rckfld

Hi,

I have been cycling now for about a year and only recently I have copped on that I need to take better care of my bike post ride. Up until now I have been wiping the bike down, paying no attention to the drive train....
Two questions:

How often should I degrease and lube my chain?

Can you please recommend two products for the above, I'm going probably going to buy from CRC - any other worthy stockists?



Cheers.

pelevin

rckfld wrote: »

Hi,

I have been cycling now for about a year and only recently I have copped on that I need to take better care of my bike post ride. Up until now I have been wiping the bike down, paying no attention to the drive train....
Two questions:

How often should I degrease and lube my chain?

Can you please recommend two products for the above, I'm going probably going to buy from CRC - any other worthy stockists?



Cheers.

Someone more clued in can inform on actual products & advice but basic things that why not get in your local bike shop, if you have one, & on top of that they, if half-decent, can personally advise on top of that.

maloner

I've found fenwicks degreaser to be great stuff. Comes out like shaving foam. These days with so much wet weather and depending on where you cycle, de-icing grit (as well as regular grit), means you should give the chain and cassette a clean every few weeks I'd have thought at least.

Degrease first, then put oil on the chain. Just oil and you trap the grit and crap in there and wear things out faster.

A clean bike is a fast bike.

Chips Lovell

Once a week. Morgan Blue degreaser. Finish Line Dry Lube. Might use a heavier lube if it's particularly wet weather.

Go easy on the lube and wipe the chain well after lubing. Too much lube is nearly as bad for your drivetrain as too little as it just makes for a sticky chain that attracts dirt and grit.

Pinch Flat

To clean:

http://muc-off.com/clean/52-dry-chain-cleaner-5037835962000.html

Apply and wash off. Leaves chain looking like new.

To lube:

http://muc-off.com/lube/32-wet-chain-lube-5037835867008.html

I have tried the dry version and it doesn't last. Agree that it can attract dirt, so use sparingly.

thebouldwhacker

If you are asking these questions then spend your money wisely, find a GOOD local bike shop and buy the products there, they will tell you what's best and more importantly how to clean and maintain your bike. As
As for frequency, for a road bike, at the moment after each ride. As Vladimer said too much lube is as bad as not cleaning. For the vast majority of the time use wet lube in Ireland.

I use 'Epic Ride: wet lube', why not let it out for non cycling guests to see for hilarious awkwardness...

thebouldwhacker

If you are asking these questions then spend your money wisely, find a GOOD local bike shop and buy the products there, they will tell you what's best and more importantly how to clean and maintain your bike. As
As for frequency, for a road bike, at the moment after each ride. As Vladimer said too much lube is as bad as not cleaning. For the vast majority of the time use wet lube in Ireland.

I use 'Epic Ride: wet lube', why not let it out for non cycling guests to see for hilarious awkwardness...

feck sake lads

best thing is to go to local car parts shop buy 5 liter tin degreaser around 5 euro might be a bit more.use clean paint brush to apply keep bottom bracket covered up ,wash off with clean soapy (fairy liquid) water dry chain apply pro gold lube jod done.

diomed

I never degrease my chain. I wipe it with a clean rag, then oil/lube the chain. I do this before every ride (no commuting). If you do this often the chain will be clean.
This is recommended in my Campagnolo coffee-table book.

feck sake lads

diomed wrote: »

I never degrease my chain. I wipe it with a clean rag, then oil/lube the chain. I do this before every ride (no commuting). If you do this often the chain will be clean.
This is recommended in my Campagnolo coffee-table book.

theres a lot of truth in that,i do likewise.
but if the chain is caked in grime you need to get the heavy gang in.
but yeah your perfectly right a clean rag and lube will be spot on.:cool:

kuro_man

GT85 to clean. GT85 to lube

Darkglasses

diomed wrote: »

I never degrease my chain. I wipe it with a clean rag, then oil/lube the chain. I do this before every ride (no commuting). If you do this often the chain will be clean.
This is recommended in my Campagnolo coffee-table book.

I've been doing that since I got a new bike, definitely the way to go. Chain and cassette are sparkling compared to the ones that got a weekly dose of fenwick's degreaser. Although it is a decent product

smiggyontour

Where do you get the Morgan Blue degreaser

happytramp

diomed wrote: »

I never degrease my chain. I wipe it with a clean rag, then oil/lube the chain. I do this before every ride (no commuting). If you do this often the chain will be clean.
This is recommended in my Campagnolo coffee-table book.

This. A warm water rub down to get rid of any salty grit followed by oil/lube on a rag that I run the chain through. A quick spray on the cassette to stop rusty build up and it's good to go.

JOHN_70

diomed wrote: »

I never degrease my chain. I wipe it with a clean rag, then oil/lube the chain. I do this before every ride (no commuting). If you do this often the chain will be clean.
This is recommended in my Campagnolo coffee-table book.

+1 on that - I previously used a chain cleaner and degreaser but switched to just wiping with a cloth with some gt85 sprayed on then lube the chain. I reckoned that aggressive cleaning was removing lube from the rollers and pins which was not easy to replace. Chain life is somewhat better since I changed.

JOHN_70

diomed wrote: »

I never degrease my chain. I wipe it with a clean rag, then oil/lube the chain. I do this before every ride (no commuting). If you do this often the chain will be clean.
This is recommended in my Campagnolo coffee-table book.

+1 on that - I previously used a chain cleaner and degreaser but switched to just wiping with a cloth with some gt85 sprayed on then lube the chain. I reckoned that aggressive cleaning was removing lube from the rollers and pins which was not easy to replace. Chain life is somewhat better since I changed.

Invincible

feck sake lads wrote: »

best thing is to go to local car parts shop buy 5 liter tin degreaser around 5 euro might be a bit more.use clean paint brush to apply keep bottom bracket covered up ,wash off with clean soapy (fairy liquid) water dry chain apply pro gold lube jod done.

Heard before that there was salt in washing up liquid.

Seweryn

feck sake lads wrote: »

best thing is to go to local car parts shop buy 5 liter tin degreaser around 5 euro might be a bit more.use clean paint brush to apply keep bottom bracket covered up ,wash off with clean soapy (fairy liquid) water dry chain apply pro gold lube jod done.

I see a lot of people using specific degreasers, but I found kerosene perfectly effective and a lot, lot cheaper than anything.

Another thing is, using the degreaser. That should be done not too often, when the chain gets more dirt stuck into. I do it about once per month at most. Other than that, a good wipe and re-application of non-sticky, quality chain lube does its job.

To degrease a chain, best thing is to remove it off the bike, put into a 0.5l plastic bottle, pour in 100-200ml kerosene and shake the whole thing for few minutes. You can use a brush if the stuff does not come off, but usually the chain come out clean and you can change the degreaser once or twice during the process.

When this is done, wipe out the chain and leave overningt to dry out and then lubricate it as you normally do.

JOHN_70 wrote: »

+1 on that - I previously used a chain cleaner and degreaser but switched to just wiping with a cloth with some gt85 sprayed on then lube the chain. I reckoned that aggressive cleaning was removing lube from the rollers and pins which was not easy to replace. Chain life is somewhat better since I changed.

True. Degrease the chain before re-lube only when the chain gets gunky.