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. Bicycle Tutor recommends cleaning and lubricating your bike’s drive chain at least once every month to maintain optimal performance and protection.
What is the best lubricant for a bicycle chain?
- Use the newer 11-speed chains on your 10-speed drive train. Clean the chain after each ride. Over-lubing is required to get higher mileage out of a chain. The best chain lube is a wet-lube. Use a lube such as Synthetic Shell Rotella or Mobil 1 instead of a high priced specific bicycle chain lube.
Contents
- 1 Should I lube my chain after every ride?
- 2 When should I lubricate my bike chain?
- 3 How often should you apply dry chain lube?
- 4 Can you lube a chain too much?
- 5 Can I use wd40 on bike chain?
- 6 Should you lube your chain after washing your bike?
- 7 How often do you degrease your chain?
- 8 Is Grease good for bike chain?
- 9 How often should you service your road bike?
- 10 How long does dry lube last?
- 11 How long does chain lube take to dry?
- 12 How do I know if my chain needs lube?
- 13 Should you lube wet chain?
- 14 What is a good lubricant for a bike chain?
Should I lube my chain after every ride?
“In the winter months it’s advisable to clean and lube your chain ideally after every ride depending on where you have been riding,” says Sampson. She recommends using a degreaser and chain cleaner to give the chain a thorough, deep clean in order to ensure it’s sparkling before re-lubing.
When should I lubricate my bike chain?
Lube Them: Drip T-9 onto each pivot point (rear derailleur; front derailleur; rear brake; front brake) every few months (more if you ride in wet conditions) to keep them protected and working well. Wipe off excess lube so it doesn’t attract dirt.
How often should you apply dry chain lube?
How Often Should I Lube My Bike Chain With Dry Lube? If you are using dry lube on the bike chain, then you have to follow some rules. When the riding is limited to 5 miles a week in good weather, then once a month is better. You have to lube the chain every two weeks if your average ride is 30 miles.
Can you lube a chain too much?
Over lubricating your chain, on the other hand, is also bad for your chain and will annoy your bike mechanic. Excess lube attracts dirt and dust and creates gross buildup on your drivetrain. This can actually wear out your drivetrain faster than a dry chain! To properly lube a chain you only need a couple supplies.
Can I use wd40 on bike chain?
You can use WD-40 Multi-Use-Product. It is a water based lubricant that provides the right amount of lubrication to the chain lube. WD-40 is a great bike chain lube water based lubricant and will not only lubricate the chain well, but will also keep it rust and corrosion free.
Should you lube your chain after washing your bike?
Clean and lube it frequently to slow the rate of chain wear. Let the lube dry, then wipe off any excess lubricant so it doesn’t attract more dirt. In general, lubricate your chain whenever it squeaks or appears “dry.” Lubing after wet rides will help keep your chain from rusting.
How often do you degrease your chain?
If you feel like your bike needs a thorough cleaning, you can get help from your local bike shop, especially if your bike is made by one of the top manufacturers. You should make a point that after every 100 to 150 km, clean, degrease and re-lube your bike chain.
Is Grease good for bike chain?
What about grease? This section is really here to advise against using grease to lubricate your chain. While grease is great for bearings and threads, it won’t penetrate the gaps between the rollers and pins where you really need the lubricant because it’s far too thick. The viscous friction will be much higher too.
How often should you service your road bike?
After this initial service, we recommend a major service each 12 months with a minor check up at each change of season. It’s a reasonable guideline, but it really does depend on how much you ride, and what kinds of conditions you’re riding in. Heavy use, rain, mud and dust all mean more frequent servicing.
How long does dry lube last?
Dry chain lube typically has a lifespan of up to 100 miles. Wax chain lube should be reapplied every 50 to 100 miles. Wet chain lube can last well over 100 miles, and Finish Line’s Ceramic Wet Chain Lube can reportedly last even longer with a limit of 175 miles.
How long does chain lube take to dry?
This set up time is also especially important for Ice Wax 2.0 which also needs time to dry. Ideally, you would lubricate your chain at least an hour before riding, but even 15-30 minutes will help the lubricant set up and last longer.
How do I know if my chain needs lube?
Over-lubing can also be detrimental, as excess lube attracts dirt, forming a gritty paste which grinds down chain components and other drivetrain bits. Appearance, time, or distance are not as reliable as sound (grinding, creaking, squeaking, squealing) as an indicator for when a chain needs to be lubed.
Should you lube wet chain?
It’s a general rule of thumb that when riding in dry conditions, you use dry chain lube, and in wet riding conditions, you use wet chain lube.
What is a good lubricant for a bike chain?
Best bike chain lubes – our picks
- Smoove Lube. The Energizer Bunny of chain lube.
- Rock N Roll Gold. Workhorse all-rounder chain lube.
- Silca Super Secret Chain Lube. It’s like hot wax but in an easy to apply drip bottle.
- Green Oil Wet Lube.
- Finish Line Wet.
- CeramicSpeed UFO Ceramic lube.
- Tru Tension All Weather.
- Molten Speedwax.