Lube new chain?

Zen0

Have just fitted a new Shimano chain. I thought I read somewhere that a new chain should be lubed, but this one seems to be coated in a fine layer of oil. If anything, I'm going to rub some of this off, but is there any reason to add lube to the links?

Zen0

Mods, sorry I seem to have double posted. The curse of the mobile back button I think. This one can go.

doozerie

I would lube it, but preferably clean off the old oil first.

Some people believe that the lube chains come coated with is superior to anything you might use yourself, I don't share that opinion as it has never been my experience.

irishmotorist

I usually leave it as it is with the original stuff on it. Depending on how much cycling you're doing and the weather, you will probably be cleaning it and re-lubing it within a few weeks anyway.

krissovo

I would leave it, new chains are "dipped" in lubricant with better properties than most over the shelf lubes.

fortis

Leave it. The factory lube is the best of all! Once it wears off or becomes very dirty (after a shower most often) degrease it and lube as normal from then on

Juan More Time

Shimano chains are coated in a special grease before they leave the factory. This grease is solely meant to prevent the chain corroding before it reaches it's new owner.

fortis

Juan More Time wrote: »

Shimano chains are coated in a special grease before they leave the factory. This grease is solely meant to prevent the chain corroding before it reaches it's new owner.

Well I read an article some time back from "friction facts" a guy who does meticulous tests on bearing drag, different types of chain lube etc. And from the tests he did the factory lube was among the best tested (the best was actually a kind of paraffin)

It's tacky as Oscar G pointed out, but you can always degrease it after a few days if you wish. I always leave it on until the chain needs a clean or grease anyways. It's easier if nothing else!

Juan More Time

What shimano use is an amber coloured grease that's very similar to cosmoline rust-veto 342. This is the stuff firearms manufacturers use to protect their products against corrosion until they reach their new owners. Obviously a new gun would have to be de-greased and oiled before use...

Personally I just install a new chain and lubricate with a tiny drop of oil. To degrease any ensuing mess, I use what the pro mechanics use. A tiny drop of diesel. Then scrub my chain with hot soapy water...rinse...dry with a clean rag....then lube with finishline wet lubricant during autumn, winter, spring. If we get an extended dry spell, I would use a paraffin based lube like white lightening..

Zen0

Have to say, I find Finish Line wet lube just too sticky. Gives a real sense of protecting a chain when new, but it's a killer to clean a chain with it on. I gave up on it.

mirv

I'd always gently wipe down a new chain (with a rag, but no solvents) as there's too much grease where you don't need it - on the side plates and inside the plates. You only need the lube between the rollers, and perhaps a microscopically thin layer on the chainrings and sprockets and side plates.

However the standard method of dipping a chain in hot oil at the factory gets the grease everywhere and ridiculously generous amounts. I've pulled shimano and kmc chains out of their bags and they'd gunge up anything they'd touch. I wouldn't add any lubricant of my own to it until I need to degrease the chain fully though, as the factory treatment does get a nice thick lubricant right into the rollers. Most store bought lubricants wouldn't be as thick as they wouldn't penetrate as deeply without being heated up first.