Chain reaction

[Floppy disk]

Quick question. How often do you, or should you, lube the new chain on your road bike?

[Bonzo]

Quick question. How often do you, or should you, lube the new chain on your road bike?

Mountain bikes i tend to use chain lube every ride but my road bike you can get away with 2 or 3 days depending on how far you ride and weather conditions.

[haydes55]

I lube mine after a ride if I have a big ride coming up soon, or the chain is looking/feeling dry. Usually once a week or every second week if it isn't being used often (like lately) :weep:

[Asher]

If i have time to give the chain a quick lube before going for a ride i do, so around every 300kms

[Road kill]

Every 400kms lube.

Clean 4-5 times a year.

Good chain last you long time:yes:

[rustyrobot]

Quick question.

:laugh: :killingme

I read up lots on this - it seems everyone and their dog has a different opinion, so pick whatever feels right for you.

For my money, clean once every so often with kerosene and lubricate sparingly with something oil based. Some folks even use motor oil on a rag, just wiping it thoroughly over the chain.

Avoid the 'sticky' lube, it makes a mess of the underside of your bike.

My chain is made by Regina, so I'm happy to follow their advice on the matter:
http://www.reginachain.it/eng/use_and_maintenance/how_to03.shtml#02

[Moi]

Why you asking this lot? Do you expect to find a nuclear physicist on this forum?? :rolleyes:

[Laava]

You would lower yourself to doing a menial maintenance chore involving mess and fuss? How common!

[Zedder]

Why you asking this lot? Do you expect to find a nuclear physicist on this forum?? :rolleyes:

Normally I'd give an opinion but in this case, I want to remain neutron.

[Jantar]

About every 5000 km I top up the Scott oiler.

[jellywrestler]

If i have time to give the chain a quick lube before going for a ride i do, so around every 300kms

wrong time to do it, do it when you come home, the chain is hot and absorbs the lube properly

[AllanB]

REGINA always sounds like a girls part to me ........

Depends on use. If all weather riding, lube more frequently.

Probably do mine every 300 kms. Clean it maybe 3 times a year. Ensure it is correctly adjusted. Mines on 28,000 and doing fine thanks - the sprockets show no visible wear!

[caspernz]

About every 5000 km I top up the Scott oiler.

Haha, some of us only have the little Scottoiler instead of that big 'un you seem to have fitted. But yeah, auto oiler is just sooooo easy :2thumbsup

[skippa1]

Get a belt drive

[Floppy disk]

So, it seems it doesn't matter if it is a new or an old chain, Lubing is to be done at high frequency (roughly every 300km, or 2 weeks). That's a bit surprising, because I would have thought a new chain would require less attention than an old chain, basically just like most new things vs old things:dodge:

[Jantar]

So, it seems it doesn't matter if it is a new or an old chain, Lubing is to be done at high frequency (roughly every 300km, or 2 weeks). That's a bit surprising, because I would have thought a new chain would require less attention than an old chain, basically just like most new things vs old things:dodge:

Lubing a chain isn't so much to get lube into the rollers, but to lube the contact point between chain and sprockets. A worn sprocket will damage a chain faster than anything.

[george formby]

I have studied this for decades. Crossed wide oceans, climbed the highest peaks, sought sage words of wisdom from smelly bald men in caves, forded raging torrents etc.

I clean it when it's dirty & oil it when it needs oiling.

If my rollers are beginning to look less than oily, that is.

The only time I adjust my chain on the road bike is when new tires are fitted.

Scottoilers are betterer but a paddock stand is cheaper & does more than one job.

[AllanB]

Scottoilers are betterer but a paddock stand is cheaper & does more than one job.



Agree with that. Given there is not a shit lot keeping you on the road on a bike a quick look over on a frequent basis is worth it.

How often do you check tyre pressures .........oil level...........air filter ...........brake fluid levels ............... lights...............

[tigertim20]

haha this is bound to turn into a conversation with a hundred different opinions . . .
I read a thread a while ago by a bloke that had actually done a fairly thorough test on the o-rings out of a chain, tested about 8-10 different products that people commonly use on their chain to test deterioration and other affects. was a good read but fucked if I can find it now, was on some adventure forum I think

[gammaguy]

im too fucking busy enjoying the shit out of my TDR to worry abot such stuff

BTW I lube my chain after avery 300km or so when its hot after a ride.Rock Oil Chain wax for those that care

off for a ride...see yez...:bleh:

[swbarnett]

Do you expect to find a nuclear physicist on this forum?? :rolleyes:
Actually, I know someone with a Masters degree in Nuclear and Particle Physics that's a member.

[f2dz]

Every 600km as per the service manual.

[F5 Dave]

and to harp on,

with fingers out of the way

& never with bike in gear idling

[Erelyes]

Depends on the bike...
And the weather...
And the product you use...
And whether your chain's adjusted...
And whether you do town riding (50k's) or open road (100k's) or hypervelocity...

With my wee bike and mixed town / 100kph riding, I lube it about half as often as I fill the tank. And clean it half as often again. Sometimes I'll give it a quick spray after a long wet ride. I use Castrol spraycan chain lube, it's OK I guess, it was all they had at ripco.

I check chain tension everytime I clean it (you're there anyway). Haven't needed to adjust it yet. If I ever find myself having to adjust it every clean I presume that'll be a good indicator that it's time for renewal.

[Banditbandit]

My chain is made by Regina, so I'm happy to follow their advice on the matter:
http://www.reginachain.it/eng/use_and_maintenance/how_to03.shtml#02

Far out ...

http://www.reginalollies.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/jpeg-1-990x330.jpg

What flavour is it ?

How often do you replace it ???

Does it melt when it rains ??

[Maha]

Actually, I know someone with a Masters degree in Nuclear and Particle Physics that's a member.

It was hard road but I got there in the end :whistle:

[swbarnett]

It was hard road but I got there in the end :whistle:

:laugh: You know who I mean...

[Grubber]

Every 300 - 500 k's for me.
This is dependant on the weather and the temperature.
always do it when it's hot after a ride.
I have not yet replaced a chain in all my years riding, except when my chain flew off on my race bike. That wasnt real pretty.
Generally speaking i do good miles on my chains.
Current bike has done roughly 42000 and chain is good as new.:Punk:

[Flip]

Its water and corrosion that kills road bike chains.

On my T1200 the first chain lasted 16k then i fitted a scott oiler the 2nd one was going strong when I sold the bike at 90k. In 74k I only adjusted it twice.

A little oil often is the secret, the more often the better.

[BuzzardNZ]

REGINA always sounds like a girls part to me ........



No one likes a dry REGINA.

[caspernz]

Its water and corrosion that kills road bike chains.

On my T1200 the first chain lasted 16k then i fitted a scott oiler the 2nd one was going strong when I sold the bike at 90k. In 74k I only adjusted it twice.

A little oil often is the secret, the more often the better.

Very true, but unless a fella has tried this for himself, he'll just keep fluffing around with spray on oil from a canister :killingme

Scottoiler is the most cost effective long term solution :2thumbsup