how do i maintain my bicycle chain?

[ElFenix]

it's looking kinda dirty. if i wash it off, how do i keep it from rusting, should i lube it with something, etc?

 

[loic2003]

Yeah you cheed chain wax, at least that's what you for motorbikes. Oil is not good because it will fly off. Chain wax sticks to the chain and stays on for longer.

If in doubt go see your local bike merchant.

 

[Cristatus]

WD - 40

that's what i did

 

[ElFenix]

the problem with a lot of lubes is that they attract dirt. i think wd-40 (and standard motor oil) do this

 

[RichPLS]

WD 40 will clean and lubricate chain, not best for MC, unless in a pinch, but fine for bikes...

 

[laurenlex]

WD-40 is better than nothing, but not much better.

There are 2 schools on chain lubrication: wet oils or dry waxes. I prefer waxes, as the chain stays really clean, you can touch it and your hands are barely dirty.

I use White Lightning.

It seriously kicks @ss. It is a wax base, so it stays clean and your pants cuff stays clean also. You just spin the cranks backward and soak the chain. Wait a little bit and wipe clean. Repeat this several times to get it really clean.

 

[HomerSapien]

for bicycles wd-40 is horrible. It will clean, but it will not protect for long periods of time (Ie more than a week).

I second the white lightning, i used till i ran out and now im just trying to use all the other bike oil so i can go get more.

 

[Sundog]

Wax or Tri-Flow

 

[Kalvin00]

Originally posted by: HomerSapien
for bicycles wd-40 is horrible. It will clean, but it will not protect for long periods of time (Ie more than a week).

I haven't put WD-40 on my chain for about 3 weeks, it just sat outside through 4" of rain with no rust.. 😕

 

[Brutuskend]

Originally posted by: logic1485
WD - 40

that's what i did

WD-40 is OK for cleaning chains, but it does NOT work well as a lubricant.

At the shop we use TRI FLOW, but I personally use Boeshield. Since is it a "dry" lube it will keep your chain clean MUCH longer than a "wet" lube, and a clean chain means less wear and tear on your drive line components.

Pedro's and White lightning both make "Dry" lubes as well. (I'm sure many other makers do as well)

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Brutuskend

Originally posted by: logic1485
WD - 40

that's what i did

WD-40 is OK for cleaning chains, but it does NOT work well as a lubricant.

At the shop we use TRI FLOW, but I personally use Boeshield. Since is it a "dry" lube it will keep your chain clean MUCH longer than a "wet" lube, and a clean chain means less wear and tear on your drive line components.

Pedro's and White lightning both make "Dry" lubes as well. (I'm sure many other makers do as well)

I have a question regarding wear on the chainrings. My mtb is about 7 years old and still on the original crankset (Shimano STX) and the teeth are looking a bit worn. I was thinking of replacing the crankset with a new Shimano (nothing really expensive a $70 Shimano crankset). I replaced the cassette with an SRAM because the old one was pretty worn and I also replaced the chain.

I really don't want to dump a bunch of money into this bike because I could quickly reach a point during the upgrade process where it makes more sense to just buy a new bike but spending $100 or so is acceptable.

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: laurenlex
WD-40 is better than nothing, but not much better.

There are 2 schools on chain lubrication: wet oils or dry waxes. I prefer waxes, as the chain stays really clean, you can touch it and your hands are barely dirty.

I use White Lightning.

It seriously kicks @ss. It is a wax base, so it stays clean and your pants cuff stays clean also. You just spin the cranks backward and soak the chain. Wait a little bit and wipe clean. Repeat this several times to get it really clean.

That stuff is AWESOME😀

 

[Brutuskend]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: Brutuskend

Originally posted by: logic1485
WD - 40

that's what i did

WD-40 is OK for cleaning chains, but it does NOT work well as a lubricant.

At the shop we use TRI FLOW, but I personally use Boeshield. Since is it a "dry" lube it will keep your chain clean MUCH longer than a "wet" lube, and a clean chain means less wear and tear on your drive line components.

Pedro's and White lightning both make "Dry" lubes as well. (I'm sure many other makers do as well)

I have a question regarding wear on the chainrings. My mtb is about 7 years old and still on the original crankset (Shimano STX) and the teeth are looking a bit worn. I was thinking of replacing the crankset with a new Shimano (nothing really expensive a $70 Shimano crankset). I replaced the cassette with an SRAM because the old one was pretty worn and I also replaced the chain.

I really don't want to dump a bunch of money into this bike because I could quickly reach a point during the upgrade process where it makes more sense to just buy a new bike but spending $100 or so is acceptable.

I tell people to replace their chain ever 2000 miles or so. If you don't, the chain stretches and then it wears the cogs and chain rings to that wear pattern. Once that happens, if you replace just ONE component, things don't mesh right anymore and it can skip under heavy torque. Since you have already replaced the chain and cassette cogs, I would replace the chain rings ASAP. Many better crank sets DO have replaceable chain rings. If yours does, there is no need to replace the whole crank-set, just buy new chain rings! A lot of newer bikes come with cheap'o crank-sets these days and the chain rings are riveted to the cranks. If this is the case with your bike, you WILL need to replace the whole unit. 🙁

 

[myusername]

pedro's ice wax.

clean, degrease, and dry it first though