New Chains

Simonb said:

I bought a new chain yesterday for the first time. What do they use to lube new chains? Is it a
wax? When should I oil it?

Depends. The SRAM chain I had until recently was initially lubricated with something called (I
think) Gleitmo which was a sort of waxy substance that fell off after a couple of rain showers. The
Massi chain that I've just recently fitted came in a little tin and was doused in what looks like
motor oil.

As to the oiling, when it needs it is the guide I use. Generally it gets a top-up after every
serious rainshower in addition to a scrub and re-lube every couple of weeks or so.

Regards,

-david

Simonb said:

I bought a new chain yesterday for the first time. What do they use to lube new chains? Is
it a wax?

I don't know what it's called, but if your chain is covered in thick gungy jellyish stuff, it's very
good! It is *not* just a preservative and actually goes on lubricating longer than any commercially
available chain lube will and is cleaner than most. Wipe off the excess and use it as it
is.

But if chain may need some additional lube before use if it's supplied quite dry (the last SRAM
PC59's I got were like this).

Quoted message said:

When should I oil it?

When you think it's excessively dirty or squeaky. It's best to thoroughly clean it first if dirty.

~PB

"Pete Biggs" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

Simonb said:

I bought a new chain yesterday for the first time. What do they use to lube new chains? Is it
a wax?

I don't know what it's called, but if your chain is covered in thick gungy jellyish stuff,
it's very good! It is *not* just a preservative and actually goes on lubricating longer than
any commercially available chain lube will and is cleaner than most. Wipe off the excess and
use it as it
is.

But if chain may need some additional lube before use if it's supplied quite dry (the last SRAM
PC59's I got were like this).

Quoted message said:

When should I oil it?

When you think it's excessively dirty or squeaky. It's best to thoroughly clean it first if dirty.

The last new chain I fitted was a Shimano HG70. It may have been old stock as the packaging was very
dusty. Anyway, it came covered in thick gungy stuff so I left it on. It did seem to lubricate as
well as my usual lubricant however it stopped doing this quite suddenly. By which I mean that the
chain started squeaking horribly in the middle of a long ride despite there still being gunk all
over the visible parts of the chain. The stuff supplied on other brands is probably completely
different but if my next chain is a Shimano it's getting cleaned before fitting. tony R.

tony R said:

The last new chain I fitted was a Shimano HG70. It may have been old stock as the packaging was
very dusty. Anyway, it came covered in thick gungy stuff so I left it on. It did seem to lubricate
as well as my usual lubricant however it stopped doing this quite suddenly. By which I mean that
the chain started squeaking horribly in the middle of a long ride despite there still being gunk
all over the visible parts of the chain.

I find that can happen with other types of lube as well - but the orginal stuff has lasted longer
for me. Maybe I've been lucky with weather conditions, etc, for the period after fitting new chains.

Quoted message said:

The stuff supplied on other brands is probably completely different

I doubt it.

Quoted message said:

but if my next chain is a Shimano it's getting cleaned before fitting.

~PB