Lube how often? - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

11-05-2004, 05:19 AM

I use a "dry" lube (Teflon Plus) for my chain and cables (road bike).

Is there any sort of rule of thumb about how often or after how many miles
to reapply this lube to the chain? I usually do not ride in wet conditions.

Thanks!

11-05-2004, 06:48 AM

On Fri, 05 Nov 2004 14:19:59 GMT, "OughtFour" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>
wrote:

>I use a "dry" lube (Teflon Plus) for my chain and cables (road bike).
>
>Is there any sort of rule of thumb about how often or after how many miles
>to reapply this lube to the chain? I usually do not ride in wet conditions.

Since I'm sure you've already consulted the rec.bicycles FAQ, you know
that chain lubrication is a somewhat religeous issue. My rule of
thumb, when it starts to squeek it's time to lube; but always remember
rule #1) NEVER lubricate a dirty chain.

jeverett3<AT>earthlink<DOT>net [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

11-05-2004, 06:48 AM

On Fri, 05 Nov 2004 14:19:59 GMT, "OughtFour" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>
wrote:

>I use a "dry" lube (Teflon Plus) for my chain and cables (road bike).
>
>Is there any sort of rule of thumb about how often or after how many miles
>to reapply this lube to the chain? I usually do not ride in wet conditions.

Since I'm sure you've already consulted the rec.bicycles FAQ, you know
that chain lubrication is a somewhat religeous issue. My rule of
thumb, when it starts to squeek it's time to lube; but always remember
rule #1) NEVER lubricate a dirty chain.

jeverett3<AT>earthlink<DOT>net [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

11-05-2004, 06:48 AM

On Fri, 05 Nov 2004 14:19:59 GMT, "OughtFour" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>
wrote:

>I use a "dry" lube (Teflon Plus) for my chain and cables (road bike).
>
>Is there any sort of rule of thumb about how often or after how many miles
>to reapply this lube to the chain? I usually do not ride in wet conditions.

Since I'm sure you've already consulted the rec.bicycles FAQ, you know
that chain lubrication is a somewhat religeous issue. My rule of
thumb, when it starts to squeek it's time to lube; but always remember
rule #1) NEVER lubricate a dirty chain.

jeverett3<AT>earthlink<DOT>net [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

11-05-2004, 06:48 AM

On Fri, 05 Nov 2004 14:19:59 GMT, "OughtFour" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>
wrote:

>I use a "dry" lube (Teflon Plus) for my chain and cables (road bike).
>
>Is there any sort of rule of thumb about how often or after how many miles
>to reapply this lube to the chain? I usually do not ride in wet conditions.

Since I'm sure you've already consulted the rec.bicycles FAQ, you know
that chain lubrication is a somewhat religeous issue. My rule of
thumb, when it starts to squeek it's time to lube; but always remember
rule #1) NEVER lubricate a dirty chain.

jeverett3<AT>earthlink<DOT>net [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

11-05-2004, 06:53 AM

On Fri, 05 Nov 2004 14:19:59 +0000, OughtFour wrote:

> I use a "dry" lube (Teflon Plus) for my chain and cables (road bike).
>
> Is there any sort of rule of thumb about how often or after how many miles
> to reapply this lube to the chain? I usually do not ride in wet
> conditions.
>
> Thanks!

I wouldn't really sweat the cables--once per year is probably enough, or
every few months when the mood strikes.

I use a teflon dry lube on my chain and reapply whenever I start to hear
the chain getting noisier and shifting becoming more difficult. I've a
sensitive ear so I end up lubing about once per week. I do ride in sloppy
conditions, albeit with fenders.

I've found that lubing immediately before a ride with these types of lubes
is not the best idea, as you need to give the carrier agent time to
evaporate. I use cheapo super-lube and give the chain a good soaking after
cleaning, then back pedal a few times and let the bike sit an hour or so
before I vigorously clean off the outside of the chain with a rag.

Everybody's got their own voodoo on this, I'll just sum up my thinking.
noise=bad.

11-05-2004, 06:53 AM

On Fri, 05 Nov 2004 14:19:59 +0000, OughtFour wrote:

> I use a "dry" lube (Teflon Plus) for my chain and cables (road bike).
>
> Is there any sort of rule of thumb about how often or after how many miles
> to reapply this lube to the chain? I usually do not ride in wet
> conditions.
>
> Thanks!

I wouldn't really sweat the cables--once per year is probably enough, or
every few months when the mood strikes.

I use a teflon dry lube on my chain and reapply whenever I start to hear
the chain getting noisier and shifting becoming more difficult. I've a
sensitive ear so I end up lubing about once per week. I do ride in sloppy
conditions, albeit with fenders.

I've found that lubing immediately before a ride with these types of lubes
is not the best idea, as you need to give the carrier agent time to
evaporate. I use cheapo super-lube and give the chain a good soaking after
cleaning, then back pedal a few times and let the bike sit an hour or so
before I vigorously clean off the outside of the chain with a rag.

Everybody's got their own voodoo on this, I'll just sum up my thinking.
noise=bad.

11-05-2004, 06:53 AM

On Fri, 05 Nov 2004 14:19:59 +0000, OughtFour wrote:

> I use a "dry" lube (Teflon Plus) for my chain and cables (road bike).
>
> Is there any sort of rule of thumb about how often or after how many miles
> to reapply this lube to the chain? I usually do not ride in wet
> conditions.
>
> Thanks!

I wouldn't really sweat the cables--once per year is probably enough, or
every few months when the mood strikes.

I use a teflon dry lube on my chain and reapply whenever I start to hear
the chain getting noisier and shifting becoming more difficult. I've a
sensitive ear so I end up lubing about once per week. I do ride in sloppy
conditions, albeit with fenders.

I've found that lubing immediately before a ride with these types of lubes
is not the best idea, as you need to give the carrier agent time to
evaporate. I use cheapo super-lube and give the chain a good soaking after
cleaning, then back pedal a few times and let the bike sit an hour or so
before I vigorously clean off the outside of the chain with a rag.

Everybody's got their own voodoo on this, I'll just sum up my thinking.
noise=bad.

11-05-2004, 06:53 AM

On Fri, 05 Nov 2004 14:19:59 +0000, OughtFour wrote:

> I use a "dry" lube (Teflon Plus) for my chain and cables (road bike).
>
> Is there any sort of rule of thumb about how often or after how many miles
> to reapply this lube to the chain? I usually do not ride in wet
> conditions.
>
> Thanks!

I wouldn't really sweat the cables--once per year is probably enough, or
every few months when the mood strikes.

I use a teflon dry lube on my chain and reapply whenever I start to hear
the chain getting noisier and shifting becoming more difficult. I've a
sensitive ear so I end up lubing about once per week. I do ride in sloppy
conditions, albeit with fenders.

I've found that lubing immediately before a ride with these types of lubes
is not the best idea, as you need to give the carrier agent time to
evaporate. I use cheapo super-lube and give the chain a good soaking after
cleaning, then back pedal a few times and let the bike sit an hour or so
before I vigorously clean off the outside of the chain with a rag.

Everybody's got their own voodoo on this, I'll just sum up my thinking.
noise=bad.

11-05-2004, 10:58 AM

John Everett wrote:
> Since I'm sure you've already consulted the rec.bicycles FAQ, you know
> that chain lubrication is a somewhat religeous issue.

Yes, actually.

Just wanted to consult the oracles.

Thanks for your advice!

> My rule of
> thumb, when it starts to squeek it's time to lube; but always remember
> rule #1) NEVER lubricate a dirty chain.
>
>
> jeverett3<AT>earthlink<DOT>net [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]