How often do you lube?

[ben]

I was just wondering how often I’m meant to lube my chain.

Once a week?
I started doing this as I use my bike to commute. Then I noticed all the crap building up on my rear tyre.

So how often do you lube?

[onearmedbandit]

I can see this thread going downhill very quickly.

Anyway, I lube my chain every 1000km or unless I notice it looks dry. Every week is too much, no wonder you've got so much buildup on your rear tyre, and if it is on the actual tyre you're asking for trouble.

[R6_kid:Me]

the writing on most chains says every 300km, and retension every 700km. I normaly clean mine before doing so so that it looks new minus the grease.

You only need to lube the links inside and out, one revolution of the wheel. If the stuff is 'building up' on your tyre you need to use less, and it doesnt hurt to wipe the outside of the chain as this doesnt actually need lubing (not with the bike running).

Use castrol chain oil, or something similar that comes in a pressurised can that sprays on.

I normally lube mine every 1000km or thereabouts and check the tension at the same time. If you need a hand or want to know if you are doing it wrong then just ask and someone in the know can come help you out.

[R6_kid:Me]

oh, and found out a trade secret today. If you want to clean stuff off your tyres you can use CRC BRAKE-CLEAN. This can also be used as opposed to 'scrubbing in' your tyres too. Just make sure its brake clean and NOT 5.56 or you will achieve the opposite effect.

[bugjuice]

actually, I've just bought a new X ring chain, and wondered how often that needs oiling up..

my old regular chain was every couple of weeks, or whenever it looked dry. Lasted 28,000kms!

[Jantar]

I was just wondering how often I’m meant to lube my chain.

Once a week?
I started doing this as I use my bike to commute. Then I noticed all the crap building up on my rear tyre.

So how often do you lube?

The frequency that you lube your chain depends a lot on the type of riding that you do, the road and weather conditions, and even how often you stop and start. The more often that the chain is lubed the better, but if you are throwing oil onto the rear wheel then it is likely that you are using too much lube.

A good stating point is to lightly lube the chain each time you fill the tank. Lube on the rear tyre is a sure sign that you are using too much, a dry chain suggests that you need to use more.

Alternatively, spend a few dollors and install a Scottoiler, then never worry about it again.

[far queue]

As often as it needs it. If the chain's looking dry it gets lubed. Usually that means after every off road ride, as the water (puddles, river crossings, etc) and mud wash the lube off. If I'm only doing road riding it may be 500km between lubes.

However it also depends on your chain. A decent O ring chain will retain the lube better than a cheapy.

Also, what are you lubing it with? Plain old oil will get chucked everywhere, but proper chain lube won't if you do the job properly. I put chain lube on the inside of the chain at the end of the day. That way the carrier liquid evaporates out over night leaving just the thicker lube behind and the centrifugal force doesn't tend to chuck it everywhere.

[far queue]

Man you guys type fast - or I type slow. 5 replies in the time it took me to write 1.

[NinjaBoy]

I use the bike for commuting during the week ( 300km/week) and approx the same on weekend rides.

I generally lube at the end of each week or after the weekend ride eg. 300-600 km. I've learnt to lube lightly on the inside of the chain. I use Motul chain lube which is lighter than most really sticky stuff.

Also clean the chain thoroughly (kero and toothbrush) every now and then.

Chain is still going strong with 28000km and I've only needed to adjust once in 20,000km.

[Shadows]

I was just wondering how often I’m meant to lube my chain.

Once a week?
I started doing this as I use my bike to commute. Then I noticed all the crap building up on my rear tyre.

So how often do you lube?

I love my belt drive.
No lube needed, it hardly ever needs adjusting, no oily crap all over the back wheel.... I'll try to remember that when it gets a stone in it and it breaks and I have to spend shitloads of money buying a new one and have to pull half the bike apart to fit it....

[oldguy]

Shit I didn't know you are surpose to lube your chain, what with???

[TLDV8]

I use that lube in the small squirt bottle (forgot the name) before every ride on the TL since it is rarely used for commuting and rides are normally 300+ kms minimum........ I lightly lube the inside run of the chain,have also seen folk who spray the outside of the chain heavily then wonder why most ends up on the wheel.... I get very little crap on the rear wheel (polished) and chains seem to last fine...fwiw

[crashe]

my old regular chain was every couple of weeks, or whenever it looked dry. Lasted 28,000kms!

Wohoooo I can beat that....
Original chain lasted 27,250km
Second chain lasted 50,292km

I lube my chain regulary...... and I strip all the crap off the chain, when I give the bike a thorough cleaning....

If you look after the chain and lube it.. it will last a long time.

[bugjuice]

yes, but what's the power output of your little gem compared to my little beast?

and mine probably has a bit more in it, but it's looking a little dead and neglected..

[R6_kid:Me]

yeh crashe, but your bike has like no horse power, and is actually ridden by a lady that rides like a nanna... only reason you'll ever need a new one is if you leave it outside in the rain for a year and it rusts over.