Chain Lubrication

Tim76

Hey guys,

Just wondering if anyone had any tips on when you should first start lubricating the chain on a new bike?

I’ve only done about 130km so far in dry conditions, the chain looks fine but I have noticed some wear on the teeth of the sprockets on the chainrings & cassette which is a bit worrying

jon1981

Wear after 130km? That's really REALLY odd!

In the wettish weather ppl would probably recommend a degrease and re-lube once a month ( assuming you're using it a few times a week). I do it probably that frequent. I got about 3000km out of my chain before I replaced it, cassette is fine and should last a few chain replacements providing you don't let the chain wear down too much.

loads of vids on youtube to help. Out of interest, what signs do you see on the cassette to think it's wearing? Not all teeth on the cogs are identical, there will be some slight differences.

Tim76

No, the teeth are def not identical, maybe I'm mistaking that for wear.

I'll have another look when I get home.

Noob problems!

Oryx

Some teeth look shorter, and they all have grooves cut into them.

Brian?

A good habit is to clean and lube your drive chain after ever spin. Only takes a minute.

jon1981

Brian? wrote: »

A good habit is to clean and lube your drive chain after ever spin. Only takes a minute.

Would you do this everyday after a work commute? Sounds a bit OTT to me.

Colonel Panic

When it's dry, I clean my chain every two or three days. You just wipe it down with a rag and relube.

Whne it's wet, I'll do it right away. (Or try to... )

Brian?

jon1981 wrote: »

Would you do this everyday after a work commute? Sounds a bit OTT to me.

I don't commute on a bike. But I'd do it every rainy day and every 2-3 days otherwise.

De Bhál

I commute 100km every week all year round and my bike chain gets oil once a month maybe less.
Might throw some on this morning after reading this.

secman

Which lube is recommended ?

omri

Does anyone have an opinion (or modifications to the list below) on this let's call it cleaning/lubricating process that I am intending to try:

1) soak the chain in the degreaser (overnight?)
2) rinse with water (or not?) and allow to dry (either after degreaser is rinsed or not)
3) soak the chain in the lub (overnight?)
4) wipe well and reinstall back on the bike

Given that I have 2 days off the bike and I usually clean bike on the first rest day I thought this would clean the chain better than having it on the bike.

laraghrider

omri wrote: »

Does anyone have an opinion (or modifications to the list below) on this let's call it cleaning/lubricating process that I am intending to try:

1) soak the chain in the degreaser (overnight?)
2) rinse with water (or not?) and allow to dry (either after degreaser is rinsed or not)
3) soak the chain in the lub (overnight?)
4) wipe well and reinstall back on the bike

Given that I have 2 days off the bike and I usually clean bike on the first rest day I thought this would clean the chain better than having it on the bike.

1) I use degreaser but not soaked over night. I clean my chain very regularly and it only takes a minute or two. I use an old bottle with the top cut and some degreaser in it. An old paint brush and literally paint the chain.

2) Rinse every bit of degreaser off. If you don't and some remains it will simply take the new lube straight off the chain.

3) apply lube to each link individually

4) wipe excess off. Rewipe before next ride.

omri

laraghrider wrote: »

1) I use degreaser but not soaked over night. I clean my chain very regularly and it only takes a minute or two. I use an old bottle with the top cut and some degreaser in it. An old paint brush and literally paint the chain.

2) Rinse every bit of degreaser off. If you don't and some remains it will simply take the new lube straight off the chain.

3) apply lube to each link individually

4) wipe excess off. Rewipe before next ride.

I do the same except that when I wipe the excess the rag turns black and so does the chain almost as if I didnt clean it at all.

jon1981

laraghrider wrote: »

1) I use degreaser but not soaked over night. I clean my chain very regularly and it only takes a minute or two. I use an old bottle with the top cut and some degreaser in it. An old paint brush and literally paint the chain.

2) Rinse every bit of degreaser off. If you don't and some remains it will simply take the new lube straight off the chain.

3) apply lube to each link individually

4) wipe excess off. Rewipe before next ride.

More or less what I do. However I do take the cassette off once a month and give it a proper going over to get it back to that shiny metal look

nak

I don't use degreaser at all any more. Lubricate the chain and turn the cranks to run it through a thick plastic bag to remove all the dirt. Wipe of the excess lubricant with a rag and done. Do this once a fortnight on the bike I use for commuting.

Bloggsie

okey doke, looks like I have some work to do this evening, I have been very remiss in my cleaning/lubing of chain & cassette.

Thud

get a chain cleaning tool makes short work of it, Lidl/aldi have them every so often

ZiabR

Something like this is mighty for cleaning the chain.

http://www.halfords.ie/cycling/tools-maintenance/cleaning-lube/muc-off-chain-doc-chain-cleaner

I bought some in Halfords, but I didn't pay 24.99 for it. It will do a fair few cleans aswell.

Just make sure to rub the chain with a cloth after before applying the lube.

NeedMoreGears

I relube every week (typically 175-200k/week) and clean/lube every two weeks. I'd get around a year from a chain.

jon1981

NeedMoreGears wrote: »

I relube every week (typically 175-200k/week) and clean/lube every two weeks. I'd get around a year from a chain.

Thats some life you're getting out of that chain, upwards of 7-8000 KM at least?

Brian?

jon1981 wrote: »

Thats some life you're getting out of that chain, upwards of 7-8000 KM at least?

My curren chain has about 9000km on it and it's hunky dory.

jon1981

Brian? wrote: »

My curren chain has about 9000km on it and it's hunky dory.

:eek: Maybe I'll have to start investing more time in my chain! Once a month clearly isn't cutting it if I'm getting 3-4k out of mine!

Agent Smyth

I have two bikes with DA 9000 on them, over 2013/2014 I did a total of about 25k
I only changed the chains on both bikes earlier this year because I broke both cassettes
I reckon I would have got at least this year if not next year as well out of both of them
Bike mechanic checked both chains a agreed there was very little wear.
I'm not anal about cleaning my chain, probably Lube every 2 weeks and a good clean every couple of months
I think chain wear depends on how you look after your chain and how you use your gears

laraghrider

If you look after your chain and clean and lube regularly then 8000km isn't a lot. It also depends on the chain as well. I heard the CEO of Sram talking recently saying that he doesn't recommend the Red 22 chain for non race bikes as it's not designed to last, it's designed to be light and fast. I've no idea what the staying power is of an SRAM Red 22 chain as i've never used one. I use this bad boy and once looked after well and checked for "stretch" it lasts an age!

Brian?

jon1981 wrote: »

:eek: Maybe I'll have to start investing more time in my chain! Once a month clearly isn't cutting it if I'm getting 3-4k out of mine!

What chains are you buying and why are you changing them? I wouldn't be happy getting that kind of lifetime from a chain.

G1032

Brian? wrote: »

What chains are you buying and why are you changing them? I wouldn't be happy getting that kind of lifetime from a chain.

I only ever get about 4,000km out of a chain. Clean regularly in dry weather and after every ride in wet weather. Usually used Shimano but I I'll switch to KMC

Brian?

This is my chain:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/ie/en/kmc-x10-sl-silver-10-speed-chain/rp-prod23963

jon1981

I replaced a KMC , not sure what model of chain. I have a Shimano ultegra on it now.