Oil your chain or it will be a problem

[paul escude]

Use motor oil 30 weight

 

[JerryB]

More options.....oiling chain is important.

Which Oils to Use on Your Bike Chain, and Which to Avoid

If you run out of chain lube, can you use a different oil? Before grabbing the WD40 or cooking oil, take a closer look at the types of oil you can use on a bike chain.

www.pedalstreet.com

 

[CloneWerks]

Anything (well almost anything) is better than letting your chain run dry.

 

[Greg47]

How are the “dry” spray chain lubes?. I ride in sand and was worried about sand sticking to the lube and eating up my aluminum sprocket.

 

[40buickcoupe]

I use dry spray lube

 

[Hoggdoc]

I have good luck with spray "Chain Wax" Clean chain with Kerosene and brush before waxing it.

 

[CloneWerks]

How are the “dry” spray chain lubes?. I ride in sand and was worried about sand sticking to the lube and eating up my aluminum sprocket.

The trick with dry lubes is that you have to give them time to dry out, not just apply-n-ride. I personally also think that it's a royal pain in the ass to keep spray lubes off your brake rotors so I usually avoid sprays in favor of "dribble from a tube or bottle" style stuff.

"Back in the day" I had a lot of success in dry/dusty/sandy conditions with White Lightning because it was, to a certain extent, self cleaning as the wax base flaked off. However that meant you also had to re-apply fairly frequently. I think it says a lot that White Lightning is still around.

On my new bike I'm trying the Muc-Off dry lube and so far it's pretty impressive.

 

[BigBob]

I use LPS #2, because I have it around for many other purposes. But I rarely ever oil the chain. I use my bike throttle only. I never use the chain. That's why I bought an ebike. I am not physically able to pedal anymore.

 

[jsosborn]

I have become a big fan of paraffin wax on my chains. I clean them thoroughly with mineral spirits, let them dry, and let them sit in melted paraffin for a while. Remove, let cool, install, and get about 600 miles of absolutely silky shifting and no need to clean anything between waxings. I did 2 chains 1000 miles ago, I'm on the second now and I swear I'll never go back to oil. It's been quite a revelation. Also, I was wearing out chains and cassettes on a 1:12 gearing setup, and the chains seem to have stopped wearing. I'll admit I've become fanatical, but with good reason.

 

[Train Dan]

Been using a dry lube, after brushing off the chain. Ride mostly trails, and the sandy grit would stick to anything wet.
Goes without saying; nothing on God's green earth is quite as dirty as a bike chain, regardless of lube.
Dan

 

[HumanPerson]

Been using a LBS fav and it's wet lube but i just wet it and forget it for 30 minutes then wipe dry....or i guess sort of dry
seems to work ok. Oh Dan I agree with ya there man. Dirty bike chain is bad JuJu

Welcome if i havent already welcomed you

 

[Snoop]

I‘ve been using a drip-on dry lube myself. So far, so good.

 

[JerryB]

This ain't rocket science.......I clean my chain and sprocket......apply some 3 in 1 oil and go riding. Did this on my old regular bikes for years......works well on ebike now.

 

[Train Dan]

Due respect, JerryB, but 3 in 1 has a lousy rep for gumming and turning to varnish. Not disputing the need to lube your chain, but you might want to consider another lube.
Dan

 

[JerryB]

Due respect, JerryB, but 3 in 1 has a lousy rep for gumming and turning to varnish. Not disputing the need to lube your chain, but you might want to consider another lube.
Dan

I hear ya...but.....with my style of riding......it works just fine.....as mentioned.....I clean my chain and sprocket.....oil her up and go riding....there probably are better products but I don't have a need for them. I agree.....lube is important.