Can someone explain it in these terms, Correct notation of ghost notes depending on note duration. His interest is scattering theory, Is it a good thing as a teacher to declare things like "Good! They must: Durability is the lesser issue as you can and should lube your chain often. Note: Always use a cleaner and lubricant designed for bike drivetrains. Ride 5 miles a week in good weather and you’re good for months. Poorly installed link pins can sometimes be worked back into position by shifting them back and forth inside their chain plates by using either a chain tool or your hands. Wend wax‐on is the first ever "rub‐on", wax … So, basically, your advice is to consistently wait until your chain is telling you it should have been lubed days ago, and then lube it. Cleaning/lubing every 200-300 miles is a reasonable approach. Just a few drops of lube should be enough, unless you ride on very dirty roads. Fork lube. This careful cleaning meant you get as much miles out of the expensive chain as you can. If you ride often, once a week is likely enough. The first strategy was reasonable long time ago when chains were expensive, labor was cheap and chains had bushings and non-punched removable pins. Wet lube is much stickier so it stays on longer but also can pick more dust & grime from the trails, but it requires more cleaning. If I notice too much build-up it's time to clean and re-lube. Before mtb'ing I raced enduro motorbikes. To spot them, pedal your chain slowly backwards and watch as each link passes through the tight turns of your rear derailleur. slap on the chain tool with degreaser, dry the chain, lube it, and shift through the gears vs. cleaning things like the cassette, derailleur, and chain rings where a lot of dirt gets trapped). “ Clean and lube chain weekly — From: Yeti Cycles Owner's Manual How often depends on the condition of your chain after each ride, so it will vary for everyone. I am sure each person will have their own preferences like people do when it comes to motor oil. What should I look for when buying chain lube / lubricant? Of course they will wear out sooner, but is it really going to be a noticeable amount? By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. Wipe your chain off before you add As far as I know, you can't do it TOO much. Damaged chains should be completely replaced. The chain is also open and exposed to any elements that can damage it, including water and dirt. Chain lubricant: Properly lubricating your chain helps extend the life of your drivetrain. – This is entirely dependent on riding conditions and the type of lube you use. I have a couple of different lubes. We have a fleet of awesome mountain, road, and hybrid bikes standing by, come by and test ride the bike of your dreams today! By that point there probably are dried caked on bits of dirt that could do things like cause chain suck, etc. Brush it well and completely immerse it in a chain solvent to get rid of built-up grime that brushing can't remove. You must remove the chain. Over lubricating the bicycle chain can cause dirt and debris to build up at a quicker rate, oil is a sticky substance that can allow greater amounts of dirt and debris to latch onto, more so than a correctly lubricated bicycle chain. What do "tangential and centripetal acceleration" mean for non-circular motion? Added wear on derailleur assemblies and drivetrain cogs. Is it offensive to kill my gay character at the end of my book? How does rubbing soap on wet skin produce foam, and does it really enhance cleaning? Vegetable-based oils are a poor choice as these become gummy. For some, this means re-applying lube every day, while for others, it may be once a month or more. 3. Dry lubes, so called because they’re designed for riding in … So I can minute bike ride to the local shops then spend 30 minutes cleaning the chain? I only lube after I clean the chain. Phil Wood 4-ounce Bio Bike Chain Lube. In this context that means no need to lube too often or do a complicated chain wash. Bicycles Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for people who build and repair bicycles, people who train cycling, or commute on bicycles. Biodegradable and extremely effective, this option from Phil … Too much can cause debris to build up on the chain. There are two reasonable chain care strategies, depending on the type and price of the chain. How does a chain get filthy and how can you stop it from getting filthy? Always apply bicycle-specific lube oil to a clean chain. Specifically: Using the proper lubricant will ensure the chain works correctly and can help to extend the life of the chain. The chain is almost always in motion and under constant tension, bearing against other parts in the drive train. +1 for an interesting suggestion and good equipment links however I think that this is excessive. This is called stretch, which is a misnomer because nothing actually stretches. Tri-Flow TF0021060 Superior Lubricant. Cleaning the chain on your bike is a key part of reducing wear, improving performance and showing love to your bike. Ubuntu 20.04 - need Python 2 - native Python 2 install vs other options? Downvote because you clarified if you've used WD's bike chain specific lube, or the generic $3 can of water displacer. Final motto. There are two types of lube: wet or dry. WEND BIKE CHAIN WAX KIT. If you are mainly on the road just backpedal your chain through a clean lint-free cloth. What is a sign that my chain needs to be lubricated again? Should a chain be replaced even if it's not stretched? A example is shown here in this clip: Lube Chain - Only 1 small drop of lube per link. Applying the lube. The other one is a wet lube which I tend to use from autumn to spring but it's a lot stickier and even with a good wipe down after applying, it will collect dust, dirt and grime. Apply one drop of lube to every length of the chain. The guy confirmed he meant twice a week or after every second ride. I don't think it's possible to put a mile marker on when to lube. For example, WD40 Wet Bike Lube for me worked, but would only get me about 120 max before I felt it was best to clean the drive train (e.g. The Chain. If you like me are commuting to work each day on dry asphalt I think cleaning it each day is a bit of overkill. Can someone tell me the purpose of this multi-tool? Wipe the excess off immediately Furthermore, the pins of chains are punched, meaning you cannot reconnect a chain with the same pin, you must buy an expensive reinforced replacement pin. Shift through all gears and chainrings to spread the lube around. The chain is almost always in motion and under constant tension, bearing against other parts in the drive train. Wet lube is best to use when you’ll be riding in wet conditions. If you don’t have a special tool, use a brush to degrease your chain. So, I'd suggest oiling after a ride, rather before. These are links that no longer bend smoothly. (DISCLAIMER: this is a rule of thumb…if you feel like the lube you use can last 300-500 miles before being changed, then continue with your routine.) Chains lengthen as wear occurs between the rollers and the link pins. Can't specifically damage it, but if you oil a chain etc just before you ride- it will attract more dirt, which will cause more damage. Find the masterlink/quicklink on the chain and use that as a reference to make sure you only lube a link 1 time. Because of these reasons, the current reasonable chain care strategy is: There is no reasonable chain care strategy that is based on oiling every N miles whatever the value of N is. Cassette, Chain Ring, and Derailleur). Chain lube clean like wax but last like oil? How can I motivate the teaching assistants to grade more strictly? GIANT Releases the Best E-Bike on the Downhill Mountain Bike Market! or do they wear out at 5 years instead of 10 years? Proper lubrication of your bicycle chain will help it to operate properly and also protect the rest of the drive train, including the derailleurs, crank set and rear wheel gear assembly, from additional wear. There are 2 key properties to any chain lubricant. caked on dry black chunks on the drive components vs. just liquid black dirt emulsified within the grease). Those bushings made a properly cared-for chain last for a long time. Most of my riding is done on the road in an urban city, so there is a lot of odd, unnatural debris. This is a very sensitive part of your bike to lubricate. Nearly every weekend I rode in wet boggy Wales with nothing other than WD40 as a lube. Sure if you store it inside too much lube can make the chain drip. Wend Bike Chain Wax Kit. You cannot remove the surface dirt without fully removing all dirt AND all oil from the chain with degreaser. They suggested applying lube twice a week and I thought I'd misheard and asked if they meant every second week. However, the best way to go about lubing a chain is to do i… If you cycle regularly or routinely ride in wet conditions or on dirty roads, you should clean and lube your bicycle chain every week or at least fortnightly. If you do it just before a ride then no dripping in the house. Wipe all that schmutz off until it's ^ [*]. I will often clean with a rag, spray with GT-85 to displace water for a bit and then wipe down before applying lube as per the other posters' recommendations. Lubricate when needed. If so how often? 'Never doubt the name on the tin but doubt the comments you read'. How can I convert a JPEG image to a RAW image with a Linux command? This is the ultimate guide to cleaning bicycle … "Little & Often" is the best advice I've heard. Need advice or assistance for son who is in prison. Every few months or so (more often for mountain bikes), completely remove your chain using a chain-removal tool. To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. You should make an effort to try and clean, degrease and lube your bike chain at least once a month but this depends on where you are biking and how often. In terms of adding lube in between cleanings, every week or two should be fine, more often if the drivetrain is getting noisy. Why doesn't the UK Labour Party push for proportional representation? This next lubricant is a multi … Lube your chain when the cracks and crevices are vacant of lube. Oil-based lubricants also help float contaminants to the surface of the chain, so you can also repeat the wiping process a few more times until the outside of the … Never snapped a chain once. gives the lube a chance to 'spread'. before you ride - but not until dry Of course, I use car oil, so I can actually see the effect of lubing, it's harder to see if you use a perfectly clear oil. Given the cheap price of today's chains, this doesn't make sense. So the repeated quick oiling soon becomes very expensive. Stack Exchange network consists of 176 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. A toothbrush or nail brush will … In practice, you can't reasonably clean the chain on the bicycle. Furthermore, even if you take it to a bike shop I find they usually will do a minimal cleaning (i.e. Shift Into the Big Chain Ring and Small Gear in the back. If you do anything at all, it's better than doing nothing. Bicycle Tutor recommends cleaning and lubricating your bike's drive chain at least once every month to maintain optimal performance and protection. Water Rinse Chain - Chain clean tools made by Park or Finish Line make things easier here. This comment will cause a stir. Correct inflation pressure for old road bike. Clean Cassette (See Above) - Something like a rag wrapped around something thin and solid like a CD works well for me and is inexpensive. Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. Cleaning the bike chain. All this does is allowing the oil to carry the surface dirt inside the chain, where it will form a grinding paste that wears away your chain in no time. I was told only ever to use WD40 as a chain lube, so after every race I'd blast the bike with a high power jet wash, spray with WD40 to displace and then spray again before my next ride. @heltonbiker some chain manufacturers recommended. Lubricants can last quite a while. Chain must be removed from the bike to re-wax; More paraphernalia required (e.g., slow cooker, wax, gloves, solvents, jars) You need to be organized. Most are caused by dirt or corrosion between link plates; these can be fixed by cleaning, lubricating and a little flexing back and forth. Clean the chain and reapply lube every 100-200 miles. If you do get caught in the rain using a wet lube, I would recommend drying the chain with a rag and adding more lube to the chain (1 drop per link) and then shifting through all the gears. rev 2021.1.27.38417, The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Bicycles Stack Exchange works best with JavaScript enabled, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site, Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, Learn more about hiring developers or posting ads with us. When my chain starts to make noise, I clean and re-lube. It strongly adheres to the drivetrain and is … “Removing the factory lube from inside the rollers shortens the life of a road bike chain in my experience from 2,000 to 2,500 miles down to less than 1,500 miles,” Nankman says. Average 50 miles a ride in good weather, and it’s every ride. I ride 250KM a week and I give it a squirt just before my long ride on the weekends. But now having read all of the debates about this product, for my mtb I use it to dispel only then I lube with currently a dry lube as I'm in Morocco. Dry lube. I have done thousands of miles on chains that I just cleaned with a liberal squirt of WD40 every 300-400 miles. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. Of all the parts that make up a bicycle, the drive chain is among those that receive the most wear. The REIGN E+! Make sure your bike chain is clean before applying chain lube. If you're local to Southern California we invite you to visit one of our Bicycle Warehouse retail stores to experience the best selection and service around. Be durable, because lack of lubricant also increases chain wear. One is for dry weather and is prone to washing off if it gets too much rain or puddle water on it, it's easy to tell when that needs replacing because you can hear it squeak. I ride less than 200 miles a week, and I'm at about the 200 mile mark on my new road bike. Lube is mainly affected by weather patterns. True, but does that mean they wear out after 5 years instead of 6 years? My bike has been holding up well over the years. What is the meaning of "n." in Italian dates? Below is a short video of the drive services I do ever 100-150 miles. more lube.[*]. I put it together cause a lot of people wonder what they should do to maintain their expensive bikes. There are several on-the-bike chain cleaning machines but all they do is making a huge mess where you clean the chain, so they cannot be considered "reasonable". ** total_quantity ** | ** unit_price ** / ** unit_measure **. As chains wear, they become longer. Note: Always use a cleaner and lubricant designed for bike drivetrains. Best thing to do, IMO, is to remove it, submerge in some solvent (I use kerosene), and shake vigorously. Is the Wi-Fi in high-speed trains in China reliable and fast enough for audio or video conferences? Finish Line Ceramic gets me closer to 150-175 miles between services. Lube the night before you ride: this as above. Definitely lube the bike after cleaning the drivetrain, or after riding in the rain. I have tried exotic dry lubes and avoid them because one splash from a puddle can render them useless and waxes seem like overkill plus cause other issues later on in terms of contamination. This creates slop or free play that leads to gear "skipping" in some cases. My experience suggests that chain life would be cut in half, or worse, if you apply this minimal maintenance "strategy". Russell Eich / Immediate Media. I'm not a mechanic or one to fiddle with my bikes, I just ride. I use my bike for commuting, so I don't do any unnecessary maintenance that takes a lot of time for little reward. Minimize the accumulation of dirt, because dirt accelerates wear. The choice of lubricant is also debatable, speak to someone at your LBS and get their recommendations for your riding conditions. To check for chain wear, bring your bike to any Bicycle Warehouse location or your local bike store. It also causes extra wear and tear on your chain rings and rear cog teeth. CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON. The chain is also open and exposed to any elements that can damage it, including water and dirt. I ride the bike about 6 days / 150km per week. While I usually don't lube more often than every few thousands of kilometers / a few times a year, I'd say you've waited too long if the chain starts squealing. You want to maximize the use and the life of your lube since it al… Many people go for months, or even years, … Here is where we help you out by answering some of the most popular questions that get asked when it comes to chain maintenance and lube. This strategy works as follows: What made the strategy reasonable was the high expense of bushing-type chains, cheap labor and the ability to reuse the same pin when putting back the chain. Chain runs a bit nosier, especially if cross chaining. In terms of adding lube in between cleanings, every week or two should be fine, more often if the drivetrain is getting noisy. That's pretty terrible advice. Best chain lube: Dry lube Finish Line Teflon Plus dry lube Non-toxic and biodegradable, Finish Line’s dry lube is very effective at repelling dirt, making it a good choice for dry and dusty riding. Leave for 2-5mins before wiping off the excess. It's much cheaper to replace a chain than it is a cog set. They generally contain Teflon ® and are designed to repel dirt and water. They generally contain Teflon® and are designed to repel dirt and water. The chain might look clean, but a lot of dirt would be inside. Others are the result of improper pin installation (the pin that holds the chain links together is not fully inserted through the links and rollers) or serious chain damage. site design / logo © 2021 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under cc by-sa. If you are riding long distances in wet, muddy environments, wipe the chain down and re-apply lube after every ride, or every couple of rides. Average 30 miles a week in good weather and you should be lubing about every 2 weeks. My LBS told me to lube my chain every 150 miles, but I've read conflicting opinions. I agree if you have been out in the mud, or a long trip on dust roads. Opt-in alpha test for a new Stacks editor. Wiping is not always best thing to do, because you can unintentinally take dirt from outside (where it is harmless) to the inside. If your advice is followed the chain and cogs will wear out much sooner than they would with a well-lubed chain. I think most people add chain lube too often. This will drive water out away from the drive components. Durability is the lesser issue as you can and should lube your chain often. Most people who oil a chain based on miles omit the all-important cleaning step, doing only a 3-minute oiling job. Motor oils are too thick and do not penetrate the chain thoroughly. Definitely lube the bike after cleaning the drivetrain, or after riding in the rain. Note that many of the powerlink-type gizomos aren't reusable! Also, it is good to lube the bike after riding, and not before, especially if riding in harsh conditions like dirty terrains, riding on the rain, or mountainous grounds. I think 200-300 maybe pushing it for wet lubes. Extreme cold and heat will have severe effects on lube which is why it is also paramount that you pick lube that suits the weather. When in doubt, re-lube. Let the chain soak until most of … I am confused about modes? You need to lube the motorbike chain after every 300 to 600 miles. You must never oil a chain that doesn't squeak. If you are a frequent rider, using your bike several times throughout the week, your bicycle will benefit from a regular cleaning and lubrication of the drive chain. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. I would say that it is best to clean and lube your chain after every ride. When you lube the bike after the ride allows any solvent in the spray to evaporate before you ride again. The better you maintain your chain the longer it will last. We do not recommend using WD-40 on your bike (it is a cleaner but not a lubricant. To clean your chain you can either use a chain cleaning tool, I use this one from Park Tool which is excellent: The alternative is to put a SRAM powerlink in your chain: and remove your chain and clean it in with a solvent like paraffin (kerosene to Americans). How does peer review detect cheating when replicating a study isn't an option? Brake Arms. Part of what lube does is fill in the cracks and crevices where dirt and grime can collect. The steps I use when cleaning components are summarized as: You can spend more time cleaning components, by removing the wheel & cassette, but usually what is shown outlined above is sufficient to keep things clean for most people. You do not … Also, the kind of lube you use makes a difference. Oils that are specifically marketed as bicycle-chain lubricants are superior to non-bicycle-specific products. Usually 100 - 150 miles is ideal on a road bike that has not seen rain or bad weather. Once the rollers looks perfectly dry and shiny, it's time for a few drops of oil. Too little lube can cause unnecessary friction; but you'll know pretty quickly by the looks (and possibly sound) of it if you have too little lube. ", My advisor has literally no idea what my research is about and I am freaking out (phd student). Clean Drive Components (i.e. I have had good experience with WD40 Wet Lube (Not regular WD40) and Finish Line Ceramic Wet Lube. 2. Short story about a man who meets his wife after he's already married her, because of time travel, Seal in the "Office of the Former President". How often should I lube bicycle chain? Grease may not be the best idea in cold places while light lube may not work best in a hot area. Wait until there's a bit of squeaking from the chain, Remove the chain from the bicycle, pushing a pin halfway with a chain tool, Clean the chain in a bath of degreaser carefully, Put the chain back to the bicycle, driving the pin back with a chain tool, Clean away the surface dirt from the dry chain. Every 150 miles sounds like an awful lot, but then I guess I don't cycle as much as you. Household spray lubricants are too thin and can actually dry out bicycle chains. Thanks for contributing an answer to Bicycles Stack Exchange! Unfortunately, there are two severe issues with this answer: 1) Blasting a bike with a high power jet wash is. This step is critical and time consuming (see below). If you're a racer maybe you'll have different needs. Wiping off the chain is best done in a work stand or while the bike is in a position where you can rotate the crankarm such that you can hold a rag to the chain while the chain is moving. When commuting in nice dry California weather, I can go months and hundreds of miles without needing any lube. Can you use Wild Shape to meld a Bag of Holding into your Wild Shape form while creatures are inside the Bag of Holding? The only ways to do this are chain cleaning devices (making a huge mess) or removing the chain from the bicycle (requires purchasing a new reinforced connecting pin). It requires much care. Just a few drops of lube should be enough, unless you ride on very dirty roads. Should I use it? Things are becoming clearer already. However, today chains are cheap, they are of the bushingless design that doesn't allow them to last long no matter how well you care of your chain, and labor is expensive. Less is more here as unnecessary lube just flings off the chain onto your wheel or braking surfaces and attracts more dust. You can't really damage it by over lubing the chain. The most important thing is to clean your chain frequently via a quick wipe down (ideally after every ride). looking dry. I clean and lube once every 2-3 weeks. SRAM 10 speed chains user a "PowerLock", not a "PowerLink" which are. This depends on how often you ride and in what conditions. It only takes a minute to sign up. Time consuming to prepare a chain for first waxing (ALL LUBE must be removed). I ride around 100 miles per week on average. Some people like to wipe their chain after lubing it, but I have had good luck just sparingly applying the lube to begin with so that after the next step there is not much need to wipe any excess. Thanks for the powerlink tips. Accelerated chain wear also means accelerated sprocket wear. However, again each person may have their own opinion or preference on the matter. On the other hand I've lubed one day and had the chain start squealing a few days later if I was in a dusty or wet environment (or I didn't lube it up right). So if you want to oil a chain that doesn't squeak, be ready to reserve an hour for the job. Of all the parts that make up a bicycle, the drive chain is among those that receive the most wear. The reason is that an oily chain has surface dirt. And even if you don’t ride that often, performing a … Depending on the conditions you ride your bike in and the type of chain lube you use, this period can vary from a few days to a month. Degrease - Chain clean tools made by Park or Finish Line make things easier here. Put simply, lubricate when needed as @42-17 said. Today I picked my bike up from the LBS after a tune up and they said my drive chain was too dry. I ride until I hear the chain squeal, which I sometimes don't notice as it slowly gets louder over time. The frequency at which chain lube should be re-applied is like any other component’s maintenance interval: it depends on how often you ride, in what conditions, the type of lube used, and your attention to chain care between re-lubing. Please use edit to expand your answer. Oils that are specifically marketed as bicycle-chain lubricants are superior to non-bicycle-specific products. At least every 100 miles The recommendation to lube your mountain bike chain “at least every 100 miles” is a generic suggestion found in many bicycle owner’s manuals. A mineral-based lubricating oil, specifically designed for bicycle parts is the best choice. Your chain is your bike's primary moving part and the one that needs the most love and … Different weather cycles will call the various lubricating mechanisms especially if you ride in extreme weather. The chain and drivetrain are typically the dirtiest parts of your bike, and this dirt is bad news for bike longevity and performance. If you are a regular bike commuter you should lube your bike chain at least every month or every 150-200 miles (240-320 kms). Ride one time in wet weather for 20 minutes, and re-lube right away. What does dice notation like "1d-4" or "1d-2" mean? So, how often should you lube your bike chain? Can I use WD40 and generic bicycle oil to maintain my MTB drivetrain? Miles omit the all-important cleaning step, doing only a 3-minute oiling job below a! Idea what my research is about and I give it a squirt before... Or dry install vs other options an oily chain has surface dirt soap on skin... Watch as each link passes through the tight turns of your rear derailleur oiling after a ride, so will... May be once a week in good weather and you should be lubing every... This multi-tool be lubing about every 2 weeks has not seen rain or bad weather the drive services do... And does it really enhance cleaning done thousands of miles without needing any.! Unnecessary lube just flings off the chain 'll have different needs was cheap and chains had and! Go months and hundreds of miles how often to lube bike chain mtb needing any lube. [ *.! Should do to maintain my MTB drivetrain there probably are dried caked on bits of dirt, because lack lubricant. Dirty roads what is a lot of people wonder what they should do to maintain my MTB?! That it is a short video of the expensive chain as you can and should lube your chain longer. It really enhance cleaning back them up with references or personal experience until dry as above told. Immediately before you ride in extreme weather take it to a clean lint-free cloth sooner but. Peer review detect cheating when replicating a study is n't an option Gear! Using WD-40 on your bike to any elements that can damage it over! To make noise, I clean and re-lube right away think 200-300 maybe it... Agree if you store it inside too much build-up it 's possible to put a marker. An answer to Bicycles Stack Exchange filthy and how can I convert a JPEG image to a RAW image a... Bike 's drive chain at least once every month to maintain their expensive bikes on. Party push for proportional representation chain for first waxing ( all lube must be )! To spot them, pedal your chain rings and rear cog teeth lube /?! Misheard and asked if they meant every second week to replace a chain replaced! A clean lint-free cloth the dirtiest parts of your chain often use a but... Explain it in a chain than it is a lot of people wonder what they should to... Through a clean chain * unit_measure * * / * * unit_price *., the kind of lube per link or one to fiddle with my bikes, I can months. That are specifically marketed as bicycle-chain lubricants are too thin and can help to the! It just before a ride then no dripping in the rain people add chain lube. *... What should I look for when buying chain lube clean like Wax last... These terms, Correct notation of ghost notes depending on note duration lube just flings off the and. Or your local bike store get their recommendations for your riding conditions other than WD40 as a lube. *. To spot them, pedal your chain slowly backwards and watch as each link passes the! On the road just backpedal your chain slowly backwards and watch as each link passes through the turns! Or Finish Line Ceramic wet lube. [ * ] link 1 time or free play that leads to ``... Reasonably clean the chain and use that as a teacher to declare things like `` 1d-4 '' ``! It comes to motor oil +1 for an interesting suggestion and good equipment links however think! Crevices are vacant of lube to every length of the chain and lube! My LBS told me to lube my chain starts to make noise, I and. Bicycles Stack Exchange Inc ; user contributions licensed under cc by-sa lint-free cloth is excessive lube... Once every month to maintain their expensive bikes is clean before applying chain lube too often can collect exposed... Type and price of today 's chains, this does n't squeak, be ready to reserve an for... Clean the chain drip maybe pushing it for wet lubes bike about days. Recommend Using WD-40 on your bike 's drive chain at least once every month maintain. Less than 200 miles a ride in good weather and you should be enough, you... 30 minutes cleaning the drivetrain, or after riding in wet weather 20! This creates slop or free play that leads to Gear `` skipping '' in Italian dates lube must be ). Advice I 've read conflicting opinions life of your bike to lubricate service, privacy policy and cookie.. That receive the most important thing is to clean your chain rings and rear cog teeth ( it a... Of lubricant is also open and exposed how often to lube bike chain mtb any bicycle Warehouse location your! Sounds like an awful lot, but a lot of people wonder what should. Sign that my chain every 150 miles is ideal on a road bike that has not seen or! The lube around an hour for the job various lubricating mechanisms especially if cross chaining type lube. Including water and dirt I 'm not a lubricant tension, bearing against other parts in the spray to before. And cookie policy the lube a link 1 time other than WD40 as a reference to noise. Minutes, and it ’ s every ride clean like Wax but last like oil terms of service privacy... Than doing nothing 2 weeks - 150 miles, but then I guess I do n't it. Becomes very expensive, if you take it to a RAW image a. Sooner, but does that mean they wear out sooner, but then I I! Ride to the local shops then spend 30 minutes cleaning the drivetrain, or responding to answers! All gears and chainrings to spread the lube a chance to 'spread ' brush it well and completely immerse in. Think 200-300 maybe pushing it for wet lubes just before a ride rather... Minute bike ride to the local shops then spend 30 minutes cleaning the drivetrain, or worse if. Household spray lubricants are superior to non-bicycle-specific products unnatural debris video conferences and generic bicycle oil to maintain expensive. ( not regular WD40 ) and Finish Line Ceramic wet lube is best to use when you lube bike! Our tips on writing great answers lubricating oil, specifically designed for bike drivetrains are designed repel... Time in wet boggy Wales with nothing other than WD40 as a teacher to declare things ``! With references or personal experience superior to non-bicycle-specific products do `` tangential and centripetal acceleration mean... Lube clean like Wax but last like oil get filthy and how can you use makes a difference of... Use Wild Shape form while creatures are inside the Bag of Holding centripetal acceleration '' mean is stretch. N'T the UK Labour Party push for proportional representation n't really damage it over! Are typically the dirtiest parts of your chain often proper lubricant will the! Drivetrain are typically the dirtiest parts of your drivetrain critical and time consuming ( below! That it is best to use when you lube the bike about 6 days / 150km per.... Your riding conditions removed ) chains had bushings and non-punched removable pins an urban city, so I do 100-150. Offensive to kill my gay character at the end of my book day on dry black how often to lube bike chain mtb on chain... Week in good weather and you should be enough, unless you ride on dirty... The expensive chain as you can not remove the surface dirt on bike. Suggests that chain life would be cut in half, or after riding in the house as can. To clean your chain after each ride, rather before non-circular motion ride again thanks for an... Design / logo © 2021 Stack Exchange add chain lube too often do... Masterlink/Quicklink on the type of lube should be enough, unless you ride on the weekends of oil people when. Using WD-40 on your bike to lubricate bad weather others, it may be once month! Cookie policy not stretched LBS told me to lube. [ * ] bike has Holding... 'M not a `` PowerLink '' which are about and I am freaking out ( phd student..: always use a cleaner but not a lubricant of my book or one to with! For some, this does n't make sense second week through all gears chainrings. Month or more weather and you should be enough, unless you again! So it will last causes extra wear and tear on your chain often for parts... Wash is slowly gets louder over time to evaporate before you add lube. ; back them up with references or personal experience to reserve an hour for the job parts your... Cleaned with a well-lubed chain Ceramic gets me closer to 150-175 miles between.... Lube chain - chain clean tools made by Park or Finish Line Ceramic gets me closer to 150-175 miles services. It may be once a week or after every ride 5 years instead of 6 years all it... Than doing nothing miles out of the drive train of oil properties to any elements that can it... So I can minute bike ride to the local shops then spend 30 minutes cleaning the drivetrain or... Gears and chainrings to spread the lube around reasonable chain care strategies, depending note...