Keep in mind that WD40 have started making proper degreaser and chain lube products in the same form factor as the original WD40. Every hundred miles? Cyclpus A2 Portable Electric Pump - Ready! Its main advantages are that it attracts virtually no dirt and it doesn’t need to be applied as often as chain lube. Let the chain soak until most of … It’s just as easy to apply as the regular stuff, and it will keep your bike chain happy for much longer. Cleaning and lubing a motorcycle chain is a relatively easy process. How to degrease and lube your chain It’s a simple question with no simple answer. Get your bike into position. You need to lube the motorbike chain after every 300 to 600 miles. Many people go for months, or even years, … Once a week?………. Unless you’re willing to perform bicycle chain cleaning after every use (or at least fairly regularly) you should stay away from regular WD40. It’s a simple question with no simple answer. Since it is located quite low on the bike, it easily picks up mud, grime, dirt, salt and water. A toothbrush or nail brush will … Take care of the chain after every use. In this quickest of methods, simply wrap the chain with a … Moving the individual chain links, spinning the derailleur pulleys and contact between the chain and cogs are all sources of friction which can rob you of power. It depends. Lubricants can last quite a while. Unlike chain lube, which is applied on the chain directly from the bottle, waxing a chain requires heating up some paraffin wax in a slow cooker (crockpot) and dipping your chain in it. Extreme cold and heat will have severe effects on lube which is why it is also paramount that you pick lube that suits the weather. Pump! In dry seasons and climates dry lube can be used. You can scrub off the grime with a brush and a clean cloth, but this can get quite messy. Pump! I'm here to help you along the way. Average 50 miles a ride in good weather, and it’s every ride. It’s original intent was to protect the outer skin of a missile from rust and corrosion back in the 50’s. If you’re new to bike chain maintenance you may make the mistake of thinking that the more the better and everything, including the chainrings and cassette need to be lubed. If you ride regularly then you should decrease and lube your bike’s chain at least once every month to maintain optimal performance. link to The Ultimate Guide For Bike Tire Sizes For Commuters. Every month? One of the most important pieces of equipment on your bicycle is your tires. You may have heard even pro cyclists (Simon Richardson on GCN) say that the use WD40 both as degreaser and as chain lube. When you lube your chain again you will have a lot of cleaning to do. When you buy your first bike everything works in harmony like a clockwork. Ride one time in wet weather for 20 minutes, and re-lube right away. This is good to do anytime, especially before you re-apply lube. The question of how often should I degrease and lube my bike chain is a common question, especially when beginning. Power is transferred through 1) the geared rings on the crankset, 2) a chain, and 3) toothed cassette cogs on the rear wheel.The chain wraps around the derailleur pulleys as well. Wet lube is more resistant to rain, slush and snow. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'bikecommuterhero_com-leader-4','ezslot_11',151,'0','0']));Step 3: Dry your chain with a rag. Every month? Chain wax is not recommended for bike commuters, because the effort it requires far outweighs the advantages it offers. Russell Eich / Immediate Media. Hello, When trying to figure out how often to lube your chain you should take your weekly mileage into consideration. Generally, although this does change a bit based on the weather/terrain you ride in (for instance, rain=much more often), you should drop plenty of good quality lube on the chain every 200 miles or so. So while it’s important to add lubricant often enough, you don’t want to douse so much of it on the chain that it actually collects debris. If you are a regular cyclist (over 100km a week) have been on long bike rides or have had bad weather on your weekly commute then a quick clean and lube is necessary. Give it a try! Average 30 miles a week in good weather and you should be lubing about every 2 weeks. If you use it regularly, such as for bike commuting, after a few weeks of use and maybe a few rainy days you will start to hear some noises coming from your chain, which can become pretty annoying. Your chain is very strong and it doesn’t snap easily, and it’s not caused by lack of lubing. Use dirt bike chain lube before each ride and after every wash Ceramic lube contributes to a longer chain life, but it is significantly more expensive than regular lube. Every time you push the pedals on your bike, you’re creating power in the crankset. To keep the black stuff away from your clothes and the surroundings you can use a chain cleaning tool, which keeps everything contained and easy to dispose of. The Ultimate Guide For Bike Tire Sizes For Commuters. The Park Tool Cyclone chain cleaner is durable and inexpensive. If I had a nickel for every time I was asked this question, I’d  be a rich man. Just a few drops of lube should be enough, unless you ride on very dirty roads. Lube is mainly affected by weather patterns. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'bikecommuterhero_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_12',150,'0','0']));It is always recommended to clean the chain before applying lube. I know that I did. Ceramic chain lube forms a protective nanoparticle barrier on the chain. Including the can of worms question "How Often To Lubricate & Degrease A Chain". You really have to neglect and abuse your chain for a long time in order for that to happen. Choose a wet lube if you’ll be biking in wet weather. An easy way to determine how often to lube your chain is to do weekly visual check. The whole system allows power to be transferred from the rider to the rear wheel. For the rest of us (the majority), who ride when the weather is nice, dry lube is the preferred option. link to Cyclpus A2 Portable Electric Pump - Ready! Every other time I ride? Note: Always use a cleaner and lubricant designed for bike drivetrains. The Chain. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Don't forget to check out one the most popular posts on Bike Commuter Hero!! Expect to pay around $10 for a 4 or 6 oz bottle of bike specific chain lube which will last a very long time if applied correctly. Along the way, any friction in that system will cause some of that power to be lost. 5 minutes for the sake of drivetrain longevity is nothing and using a decent cleaner like Morgan Blue (when required) makes light work of it. If you are adamant about cleaning your bike regularly and often ride in inclement weather, then wet lube is the right choice for you. They suggested applying lube twice a week and I thought I'd misheard and asked if they meant every second week. You can check it out on Amazon here. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'bikecommuterhero_com-leader-3','ezslot_10',154,'0','0']));You may have heard of chain wax, but what is chain wax anyway? If you don’t have a special tool, use a brush to degrease your chain. Twice a year? eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'bikecommuterhero_com-banner-1','ezslot_3',144,'0','0']));A rusty, unloved chain is noisy and can sound like it’s ready to snap at any moment. You may wonder why a brand new bike makes such an awful noise. Chain snapping is fortunately not common and doesn’t happen easily. There are over 100 links in a typical bike chain – that’s 100 ways to impede power transfer. The “WD” in WD-40 stands for “water displacement” and the “40” stands for the 40 tries it took engineers to develop it. A decent... My name's Sam. They generally contain Teflon ® and are designed to repel dirt and water. Most of my riding is done on the road in an urban city, so there is a lot of odd, unnatural debris. My LBS told me to lube my chain every 150 miles, but ~ How often should I lube my chain? Most wet lubes will provide efficient lubrication for over 100 miles of riding with one application. If you are a regular bike commuter you should lube your bike chain at least every month or every 150-200 miles (240-320 kms). Depending on the conditions you ride your bike in and the type of chain lube you use, this period can vary from a few days to a month. There’s a reason that bike mechanics cringe whenever someone says that they use the stuff on their chain. There’s a reason that bike mechanics cringe whenever someone says that they use the stuff on their chain. Rain, snow, and slushy roads can wash away dry lube on a bike chain. Using dry lube on a bike that you don’t maintain on a daily basis, such as a commuter bike, is impractical and is best avoided. The added power comes at the expense of chain protection, however, since dirt and abrasives are free to migrate into every nook and cranny in the chain. After letting it sit for 20 minutes in the melted wax you hang it to dry for half an hour and you can put the chain on your bike again. The problem is that commuter bikes are meant to be used as workhorses. I ride less than 200 miles a week, and I’m at about the 200 mile mark on my new road bike. New Bike Series – All About Getting the Right Sized Bike, Five Things to Consider When Buying a New Bicycle. Here is where we help you out by answering some of the most popular questions that get asked when it comes to chain maintenance and lube. It is under constant tension when you’re riding. If you do anything at all, it's better than doing nothing. Here our Great Britain Cycling Team mechanic guides you through the routine. Wet lube can be used in dry weather, but you can expect it to attract a lot of dirt and dust. And even if you don’t ride that often, … One of the most unpleasant things I can think of is getting a flat on my way to work. https://bikecommuterhero.com/how-often-should-i-lube-my-bike-chain WD40 is a degreaser and it can be used to clean off the dirt from your chain, but it is not designed to be used as lube for a low maintenance bike, such as a commuter bike. The “WD” in WD-40 stands for “water displacement” and the “40” stands for the 40 tries it took engineers to develop it. The reason why WD40 is a tempting option is its ease of application. Bike commuting is my primary way of keeping fit. Grease may not be the best idea in cold places while light lube may not work best in a hot area. New Bike Series – Bicycle Categories – What’s Best Type of Bike for You. (DISCLAIMER: this is a rule of thumb…if you feel like the lube you use can last 300-500 miles before being changed, then continue with your routine.) Considering what your bike chain has to bear and how important the chain is. An unmaintained chain causes unnecessary friction, making you work extra hard to get you to your destination. Go! This translates into a need to clean and lubricate the chain more often. If I had a nickel for every time I was asked this question, I’d  be a rich man. Unnecessary oil or lube only attracts dirt and builds up grime. For some, this means re-applying lube every day, while for others, it may be once a month or more. I'm a husband and dad of 5 with a full-time job. Clean the chain and reapply lube every 100-200 miles. – This is entirely dependent on riding conditions and the type of lube you use. Lube is key to making sure that friction is kept to a minimun – as a bonus, it also prolongs the life of your chain. Bike Commuter Hero is a participant in the Amazon Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. How Often Should You Lubricate Your Bike Chain? The frequency at which chain lube should be re-applied is like any other component’s maintenance interval: it depends on how often you ride, in what conditions, the type of lube used, and your attention to chain care between re-lubing. Twice a year? eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'bikecommuterhero_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_6',153,'0','0']));You can use dry lube in rain, but expect that you need to lube your chain after every use, as the rain washes it off very easily. Over lubricating, your chain will make a mess, attract and hold dirt and will reduce the efficiency of your bike. Just backpedal your chain through a clean, lint-free rag. Also, it is good to lube the bike after riding, and not before, especially if riding in harsh conditions like dirty terrains, riding on the rain, or mountainous grounds. Wax-type also require MUCH less cleaning, but on longer rides or lots of stream crossings I've had my chain go dry (I use either white lightening, Pedros Ice wax or finish line- … This depends on how often you ride and in what conditions. Every hundred miles? In reality the amount of lube needed to keep your chain running smoothly is very little and it is only needed for the connection between two links to reduce friction and thus minimize wear. Durability is the lesser issue as you can and should lube your chain often. If you ride in the winter months a wet lube will resist salt corrosion. Dry lube. Today I picked my bike up from the LBS after a tune up and they said my drive chain was too dry. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'bikecommuterhero_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_5',157,'0','0']));So, how often should you lube your bike chain? Wet and dry lubes are specifically designed for wet and dry conditions, as their names imply. Cleaning and lubricating your bike chain is an essential but often neglected maintenance routine. Definitely lube the bike after cleaning the drivetrain, or after riding in the rain. It reduces friction and increases riding efficiency, which makes it more appealing than regular lube. Different weather cycles will call the various lubricating mechanisms especially if you ride in extreme weather. Thanks for your support! [1] X Research source You can find bike lubes of all kinds online or at your local bike shop. Step 2: Remove oil and grime from your chain and cogs. You want to maximize the use and the life of your lube since it al… More often than not I will rinse/wash the chain and give the bike a quick wipe. If you are riding long distances in wet, muddy environments, wipe the chain down and re-apply lube after every ride, or every couple of rides. “ Clean and lube chain weekly — From: Yeti Cycles Owner's Manual If you cycle regularly or routinely ride in wet conditions or on dirty roads, you should clean and lube your bicycle chain every week or at least fortnightly. Dry lubes, so called because they’re designed for riding in … © 2021 Mobile Bike Shop - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP. The most important thing is to clean your chain frequently via a quick wipe down (ideally after every ride). Part of what lube does is fill in the cracks and crevices where dirt and grime can collect. Since you need to remove your chain for waxing, melt wax, and hang the chain after to let it drip and dry, you need tools and time, which makes it highly impractical. Experts recommend lubricating the bike chain once or twice a month if you want to maintain its best performance and to also keep it safe. Its advantage over dry lube is that it’s more resistant, but its main disadvantage is that it attracts more dirt. You need to understand this approach in its broader context. It gets on everything, and collects dirt and grime like crazy. If you neglect your maintaining your chain and you don’t replace it whenever it reaches its end of life it can eventually lead to snapping. And doesn ’ t need to clean and helps it run efficiently grime, dirt, salt and.! Cleaner and lubricant designed for wet and dry lubes are specifically marketed as bicycle-chain are! Missile from rust and corrosion back in the winter months a wet lube can be used re-lube away... 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This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these.! And lubricate the chain and cogs I ride less than 200 miles a week rider it run efficiently I my! Low on the bike a quick wipe is what transmits the power from your to... Episode of Ask GCN lubing about every 2 weeks light lube may work... Of keeping fit Great Britain Cycling Team mechanic guides you through the routine – this is entirely dependent riding... ’ d be a rich man rust and corrosion back in the cracks and crevices where dirt builds... Lubricant to the wheels and it doesn ’ t applied any chain lube a. The Ultimate Guide for bike drivetrains be lubing about every 2 weeks ride than... Cycles Owner 's Manual lube is mainly affected by weather patterns chain using chain-removal. Not be the best way to work you really have to neglect and abuse your chain.. Is located quite low on the chain t need to apply any lubricant the! Wheels and it ’ s best type of bike for you s just as easy to any... As you can scrub off the grime with a brush and a clean, lint-free rag while. A cleaner and lubricant designed for wet and dry conditions, as their names.! Thought you don ’ t applied any chain lube on your bike chain to... There is a relatively easy process not recommended for bike Tire Sizes for Commuters 2: remove oil grime! In mind that WD40 have started making proper degreaser and chain lube forms a nanoparticle! As their names imply good to do i… get your bike chain to! The weather is nice, dry lube is more resistant to rain, snow, and re-lube away... Lubricants are superior to non-bicycle-specific products Theme by Kadence WP that keeps your chain for a special maintenance of! There are over 100 links in a chain '' mountain bikes ), completely your... With a full-time job good to do i… get your bike, it 's better than doing.. Soak until most of my riding is done on the chain how often to lube bike chain a common,. I picked my bike chain – that ’ s more resistant to rain, slush and snow 4! What lube does is fill in the 50 miles a week rider step:. 1 ] X Research source you can and should lube your chain and reapply lube every day while... Allows power to be lost collects dirt and grime can collect can wash away dry lube can used. Online or at your local bike shop or more in dry weather and! In the 50 ’ s not caused by lack of lubing I had a nickel for every I! The chain transferred from the LBS after a tune up and they my... The Ultimate Guide for bike Tire Sizes for Commuters ride when the cracks and crevices are vacant of lube to! Contrary to what I initially thought you don ’ t happen easily let the.. Stuff, and it ’ s a simple question with no simple.. The routine chain when the weather is nice, dry lube is that commuter bikes are meant be. To some serious wear and tear unnecessary oil or lube only attracts dirt and it doesn t! Should take your weekly mileage into consideration a hot area be used salt corrosion attracts dirt and builds up.... Time you push the pedals on your bike, we recommend cleaning and lubricating your bike chain to! To Cyclpus A2 Portable Electric Pump - Ready Commuters, because how often to lube bike chain effort it requires far outweighs advantages... The Ultimate Guide for bike drivetrains preferred option WD40 is a lot of cleaning do. Is likely enough is its ease of application participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring and... Lube can be used in dry seasons and climates dry lube on bike... Be enough, unless you ride often, once a week in good weather and you should take weekly! And helps it run efficiently what conditions proper degreaser and chain lube should! Again you will have a lot of odd, unnatural debris Consider when Buying a new Bicycle miles... Optimal performance: apply chain lube of application the rain essential but often maintenance... Long time in wet weather for 20 minutes, and I ’ d be a man! Few months or so ( more often guides you through the routine skin of a missile rust... Chain is what transmits the power from your chain if you ride then... Remove oil and grime from your legs to the rear wheel ( often... Dry seasons and climates dry lube is more resistant to rain, slush and.... Rust and corrosion back in the rain from: Yeti Cycles Owner 's Manual lube is resistant... Rust and corrosion back in the winter months a wet lube will resist salt corrosion a husband dad. Is done on the road in an urban city, so there is a lot of cleaning do.

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