Chain Maintenance.

[The Riding Realtor]

Ok, so while I wait to get my front wheel back, all trued up, I'm looking at my chain / casette. This bike being 2nd hand, I just cant trust anything untill I know.

 

So.. Some chain maintenance tips please!

 

Currently, chain and cassete was pretty dry and dusty. Maybe a wax was used prior? Anyways, I dug in the garage, and found my chain live I used on the Enfield. Fuchs, Semi Synthetic chain lube. I sprayed some on the chain, and wiped it down a bit. Using the moisture of the live, as a bit of a cleaning agent. Going to do another round of live after I wiped it all down. Am I on the right track?

 

Chain : Shimano HG-X

Casette : Shimano HG wax

Dr : Shimano XT

[Guest notmyname]

Didn't a Hubber write something like a 90 page book on this.. Johan something or other.

 

With that said. I would imagine soaking the chain in prepsol(or whatever floats you boat) and giving it a solid session with a smallish paint brush.

[Daniel J Méssem]

lots of opinions on chain lube, so expect lots of different replies

 

with that in mind, here are a couple of things I think people agree in

- the chain should be clean before lubing, taking it off and bathing it in solvent works well

- lube should be applied to the link joints, and excess wiped off

- lube is not for the chain/casette interface, it is only for the chain link to link interface

 

what type of lube - lots of opinions here

- lube + dirt = worn chain

- parafin wax has been shown to be the best lube on some studies, but its hard to apply

- spray lube has been found to be poor

- drip lube, dripped into each link is probably the most widly accepted

- drip lube is usually wax or oil based, with additives like ptfe

 

studies are here:http://www.friction-facts.com

 

some interesting reading for the obsessed enthusiast (most if us)

[Falco]

- lube is not for the chain/casette interface, it is only for the chain link to link interface

 

Not so.

 

The only part that needs lubrication is the roller/pin, let the lubricant penetrate for a few minutes, then wipe off. Further, it certainly doesn't hurt if a small amount of lubricant makes its way onto the chain cassette interface.

[The Riding Realtor]

Awesome! Thanks.. I should be able to take it from here ????

[Daniel J Méssem]

Not so.

 

The only part that needs lubrication is the roller/pin, let the lubricant penetrate for a few minutes, then wipe off. Further, it certainly doesn't hurt if a small amount of lubricant makes its way onto the chain cassette interface.

thats what I ment in my mumbo jumo words

[JXV]

Buy or borrow a chain wear guage. Replace chain on about 0.7% wear or sooner if you want any chance of running a new chain on old gears . You should get 2 or 3 chains on a set of gears. Any time the chain slips on the gears under load...provided all is clean then replace the cluster ot guilty ring....chain too if it is worn.

Some riders buy 2 or 3 chains and rotate them frequently so they all wear in with the gears at same rate. You may get more milage this way