Basic lubricants and servicing

Schecter01

What lubricants for chain and mechs and how often to apply each? It's all confusing, and I'm a simple man.

Uncle Ben

Schecter01 wrote: »

What lubricants for chain and mechs and how often to apply each? It's all confusing, and I'm a simple man.

Damn, wrong threa!

crosstownk

Just get a decent quality chain lube from your LBS. The most important thing is to clean the chain before applying fresh lube. Applying lube to a dirty chain just results in making a gritty paste that will accelerate wear. I clean the chain as often as possible and then apply a drop of lube to each link in turn.

In the past I've used everything from 3 and 1 to engine oil but keep a million miles away from WD-40.

A few drops of lube on the pivot points of the front and rear dérailleurs does no harm after a bike clean but wipe of any drips or excess to avoid dirt sticking on your next ride.

Schecter01

Great I see there are dry and wet lubes also what do you clean your chain with? Toothbrush?

crosstownk

Schecter01 wrote: »

Great I see there are dry and wet lubes also what do you clean your chain with? Toothbrush?

I use a chain cleaner gizmo that I got in LIDL last year but it needs to be cleaned of the sludge that gathers every so often.

casion3

crosstownk wrote: »

Just get a decent quality chain lube from your LBS. The most important thing is to clean the chain before applying fresh lube. Applying lube to a dirty chain just results in making a gritty paste that will accelerate wear. I clean the chain as often as possible and then apply a drop of lube to each link in turn.

In the past I've used everything from 3 and 1 to engine oil but keep a million miles away from WD-40.

A few drops of lube on the pivot points of the front and rear dérailleurs does no harm after a bike clean but wipe of any drips or excess to avoid dirt sticking on your next ride.

Why not WD 40?

crosstownk

casion3 wrote: »

Why not WD 40?

It's not a proper lubricant. WD = Water Displacement. It's great for freeing stiff nuts and bolts but it's not a chain lube.

Hunterbiker

Dry lube for summer / dry periods and wet lube for winter / wetter periods.
Wet lube formulations stay on the chain better and aren't washed away by water spraying up from the road / rain.

ZiabR

I usually use the same lube dry and wet. I just make sure to clean the chain etc after every few dry rides and after every wet ride. Never had an issue.

RobFowl

Oooooh Eeeerrr Missus

ZiabR

RobFowl wrote: »

Oooooh Eeeerrr Missus

Tut tut :P

Schecter01

Dirty feckers, less of the innuendos, or should I say 'in-ur-end-o'