When to lube new chain?

notnot
notnot Posts: 284
edited September 2012 in Workshop
Off for a ride this afternoon. I've gone under 200 miles on the chain, and there's still grease on it. Advice seems to be to leave the grease that comes on the chain as long as possible? e.g. http://sheldonbrown.com/chains.html

However, *something* is making a creaking noise when I'm going hard... Prudent to give the chain a clean/lube?

I could also put a few drops of wet lube on, without cleaning. But lubing without cleaning is a bad idea?

Comments

  • godders1
    godders1 Posts: 750
    A bit of lube is probably all that's needed. Chain maintenance is a topic of some debate, my approach is to wipe with a rag that's had a light spray of degreaser and re-lube once a week and leave it at that.

    Even if you did want to deep clean from time to time (i.e. remove chain and soak in degreaser or put through one of those machines) then you certainly wouldn't want to do that for a good while yet.
  • notnot
    notnot Posts: 284
    Great - will give things a wipe then a lube. Will the chain ring get lubed with the oil on the chain, or does it want additional lube put on itself?
  • godders1
    godders1 Posts: 750
    Chain ring and cassette don't need to be lubed, just dab a drop of lube onto each link on the chain, leave for 5-10 mins to allow it penetrate and then wipe off the excess and you're away.
  • on-yer-bike
    on-yer-bike Posts: 2,974
    Doubt if the creak is the chain. IME chains are at their quietest with the original lube on them. Trouble is its sticky so you get dirt stuck to the chain. You can wipe this off with WD40 sprayed onto a rag first so that it doesnt penetrate the rollers or use a chain lube in the same way. Some say chains work better with all the factory lube removed.
    Pegoretti
    Colnago
    Cervelo
    Campagnolo
  • notnot
    notnot Posts: 284
    Yes - on the positive side, it seems to run smoother. On the downside, something is still creaking. Running fine, anyway.
  • godders1
    godders1 Posts: 750
    Try here:

    viewtopic.php?f=40004&t=12581556
  • lemon63
    lemon63 Posts: 253
    Chain ring and cassette don't need to be lubed, just dab a drop of lube onto each link on the chain, leave for 5-10 mins to allow it penetrate and then wipe off the excess and you're away.
    what he said, from day 1.

    Whether its wet or dry lube well that's a whole different debate :D

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