When do you lube a new chain?

Mozza1

Got a new chain on bike that's done 220 miles. When do you lube for the 1st time? I usually leave it until the chain starts to sound noisy. Always think that whatever is in there from manufacture is better than anything added by the user. just wondered what others do.............................

father_jack

When it needs it.

sungod

i do mine once it's dirty enough to need a proper clean

then clean and lube

UpTheWall

keep it clean and lubed otherwise the chain will "stretch" and you'll have to renew it really often.

Clean it with a product like Muck Off, WD40 or even petrol!

Get an old paint brush dipped in a cleaner and brush the chain and between all the cogs and chainrings.

Wash it all off.

Drop a tiny bit of oil on the *inside* of the chain and run it round a bit so it gets inside the links.

Clean it again to get rid of all the excess oil on the surface of the chain, otherwise this will just pick up dirt which will shorted the life of your chain.

Ideally your chain and cassette should be kept new and shiney looking.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/chains.html

Scrumple

the OP isn't asking how to clean a chain!

just when you need to start lubing a new one - alternatively how long does factory lube last?

sheffsimon

Scrumple wrote:

the op isn't asking how to clean a chain!

just when you need to start lubing a new one - alternatively how ling does factory lube last.

Doesnt matter what the OP was asking, just put "chain" and "lube" in the thread title, wind up, and off you go.

Scrumple

I think this question is very different... had the same thoughts myself with my new SRAM red set up - when to introduce lube to a factory chain.

It has nothing to do with which / how / etc...

More about life expectancy of a product (within a product).

UpTheWall

it's all about chain care.

You want your chain to last and to change well. Therefore cleanliness and lubliness go hand in hand.

As for the factory lube - I think that needs cleaning off when you get the chain. It's so damn sticky it picks up dirt too fast.

dennisn

Lube your chain when you have a spare moment. Once a week or so. Why wouldn't you? Hose it down with whatever lube you have decided is the latest and greatest. Wipe off excess. Ride. There isn't any more to it than that, contrary to what some will say.

marin_maniac

All this talk of dipping in petrol and re-lubing.

Who has got time for all that afrting around?

Wipe the chain with a rag or summat till the chain doesn't leave any more dirt on the rag, then lube and ride.

Harry182

I lube new chains before I put them on the bike.

Also, before the first lube, chains get cleaned with degreaser to get rid of their sticky factory coating.

And lube again ideally before the chain gets dry and/or noisy.

Lubing = a drop of Prolink Progold to each inner link and then running the chain through a clean rag until I can't be bothered to continue.

Velonutter

I religiously wipe my chain down by hand with a cloth after every single ride until it is really clean, then the night before I spray it with GT85 and leave it to penetrate.

I checked my chain at the weekend and after 1500 miles, no noticeable stretch.

father_jack

lol gt85

ooermissus

Harry182 wrote:

I lube new chains before I put them on the bike.

Also, before the first lube, chains get cleaned with degreaser to get rid of their sticky factory coating.

Cf Sheldon Brown:

New chains come pre-lubricated with a grease-type lubricant which has been installed at the factory. This is an excellent lubricant, and has been made to permeate all of the internal interstices in the chain. This factory lube is superior to any lube that you can apply after the fact.

Some people make the bad mistake of deliberately removing this superior lubricant. Don't do this!

The factory lubricant all by itself is usually good for several hundred miles of service if the bike is not ridden in wet or dusty conditions. It is best not to apply any sort of lube to a new chain until it is clearly needed, because any wet lube you can apply will dilute the factory lube.

father_jack

of service if the bike is not ridden in wet or dusty conditions

Hmmm that rules out planet earth then.

softlad

ooermissus wrote:

Cf Sheldon Brown:

New chains come pre-lubricated with a grease-type lubricant which has been installed at the factory. This is an excellent lubricant, and has been made to permeate all of the internal interstices in the chain. This factory lube is superior to any lube that you can apply after the fact.

Some people make the bad mistake of deliberately removing this superior lubricant. Don't do this!

The factory lubricant all by itself is usually good for several hundred miles of service if the bike is not ridden in wet or dusty conditions. It is best not to apply any sort of lube to a new chain until it is clearly needed, because any wet lube you can apply will dilute the factory lube.

you gotta love Sheldon, but some of his stuff is just nonsense.....

Mr Dog

As you tell by the postings.. its a personal thing. I guess the factory wax based lube would last around 200 miles, so if it were my bike its time to relube. As suggested take off the old lube first. How many miles between reapplications is indicated on the side of your chosen product. 8)

dmch2

At this time of year it's going to get every other ride. My post wet ride routine is:
wipe it down
squirt of gt85 to try and rinse out any crud
Quick toothbrushing
More gt85
Thorough wiping until clean
Dry lube
Wipe of excess before riding

This keeps it clean but if i twist the chain i can still hear/feel a bit of grit in there. Is this just winter riding? Is there more i can do? Or is the grittiness not really a problem given that the above will flush most of it out?

father_jack

lol for every single ride? Whatever, guess you're keeping lube manufacturers in business. I do it once it needs doing, don't suffer from OCD.

dmch2

every ride where it got wet which is about every other ride at the moment.

father_jack

So?

markyone

every other ride thats because i like a clean chain and want it to run smoothly

dennisn

I'm sort of curious as to how people got the idea that chains and cogs on a bicycle
required very special care and special oils and cleaners? Hate to say it but we are not talking rocket science here. It's a chain and cogs. Been around many, many years.
I guess I really do know the why of people thinking they are dealing with hi-tech items.
Advertising!!!!!!! Doesn't have to be hi-tech, just look like it is in the picture in the magazine, and bingo, you've just sold a one ounce bottle of oil for 10 dollars. Not to mention a simple drive chain for 50 or 60. And don't forget cogsets for upwards of whole bunches of money. If it costs lots of money it must be hi-tech. How could it not be?

father_jack

markyone wrote:

every other ride thats because i like a clean chain and want it to run smoothly

ROFL! I could understand if you biked on sand dunes, but come on every ride? :roll:

slowondefy2

My LBS supplied my bike with what appeared to be packing grease on the chain. I asked about routine maintenance - 'nah, no need'.

I thought it was okay initially, but it was soon obvious the grease was picking up all the shite and making a perfect grinding paste, frankly. The chain is now degreased and having a light oil applied regularly to flush away the grit (after every ride, only takes 10 seconds).

slowondefy2

Sorry, double post.

father_jack

I could understand you might reoil (if it's clean, after a downpour) and chain has light surface rust because the oil has washed away. But it doesn't have to be sparkling brand new every ride.

softlad

Father Jack wrote:

But it doesn't have to be sparkling brand new every ride.

so what if it is...? I will usually wipe my chain after every ride. Nothing wrong with having a clean transmission - far better than one that is covered in sh1t....

father_jack

Because it's vain. It's a vehicle not a bit of fashion lol. oh well guess making money for lbs selling 5x the amount of degreaser and lube.

softlad

Father Jack wrote:

Because it's vain. It's a vehicle not a bit of fashion lol. oh well guess making money for lbs selling 5x the amount of degreaser and lube.

So you think having a clean transmission is vain..?? I suppose you think that wiping your ar5e is vain as well..?

father_jack

lol. whatever. Cleaning every ride is way OTT, unless for some reason it needs it (riding on sand)