Oiling A Chain: Plates, Or Just The Rollers?

"(PeteCresswell)" <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

When I lube a chain, I just dribble oil onto the rollers while turning
the pedals - figuring that it'll find it's way to the outside plates by
capillary action.

I only oil the rollers. If you use a bike-specific oil, it distributes
itself pretty quickly if you backpedal a few strokes.

the outside of the chain needs zero lube.

lube the rollers, backpedal a few times, and scrub the chain dry with a
rag. The lube will stay on the inside.

maxo said:

the outside of the chain needs zero lube.

lube the rollers, backpedal a few times, and scrub the chain dry with a
rag. The lube will stay on the inside.

Just curious: why back back pedal? I lube my chain when it's either on
a rack or upside down, so I go forward just be habbit. Is this a
problem? [gets nervous]

\\paul

--
Paul M. Hobson
Georgia Institute of Technology
..:change the words to numbers
if you want to reply to me:.

I use an oily cloth to wipe on a little lube to the outer plates
because on cheap 9 speed chains they will rust.

Paul Hobson said:

Just curious: why back back pedal? I lube my chain when it's either on
a rack or upside down, so I go forward just be habbit. Is this a
problem? [gets nervous]

[rolls eyes]

Well, you ARE north of the equator according to your signature.
Australians may forward pedal.

I think it's mad that you want to misalign your tooth engagment flanges
like that--but be my guest...

Kenny schreef:

Quoted message said:

I use an oily cloth to wipe on a little lube to the outer plates
because on cheap 9 speed chains they will rust.

Not so cheap Shimano-chains will also rust.

Gerd

Paul Hobson said:

maxo said:

the outside of the chain needs zero lube.

lube the rollers, backpedal a few times, and scrub the chain dry with a
rag. The lube will stay on the inside.

Just curious: why back back pedal? I lube my chain when it's either on
a rack or upside down, so I go forward just be habbit. Is this a
problem? [gets nervous]

\\paul

It is not that complicated in my case. I have to do my work indoors
with the bike sitting on the carpet and if I backpedal, the wheels don't
roll.

I am cleaning and relubing my chain every 300 miles or so. Is that
overkill? It's dry where I usually ride but my chains get dusty and
gunky anyway.

I am curious too what lube you all use. I picked up a teflon aerosol
lube and White Lightning in a squeeze bottle and am just using up the
aerosol first.

Per catzz66:

Quoted message said:

I am curious too what lube you all use. I picked up a teflon aerosol
lube and White Lightning in a squeeze bottle and am just using up the
aerosol first.

I use ProLink. It comes with a little plastic straw that sticks into the top.
If I rest than hand holding the container on the frame, I can keep the tip of
the straw running down the rollers of the chain as I rotate the crank with the
other hand. No over spray and very little spillage.

As far as timing goes, I think I have two major triggers:

1) Noise from the chain.

2) Not having anything better to do - and noticing that the chain looks nasty.
--
PeteCresswell

(PeteCresswell) said:

As far as timing goes, I think I have two major triggers:

1) Noise from the chain.

2) Not having anything better to do - and noticing that the chain looks nasty.

My sentiments exactly, if I rode a derailleured bike, I'd add:
3. It shifts funny.

I use cheap KMC single speed chains and don't obsess about lube brand,
but usually it's something in the line of a generic Tri-flow-like
teflon-in-suspension lube. I forget the brand, but if you get it at
your local hardware superstore, it's much cheaper.

catzz66 said:

It is not that complicated in my case. I have to do my work indoors
with the bike sitting on the carpet and if I backpedal, the wheels don't
roll.

You oil your chain on the carpet? Wow.

Jasper

Jasper Janssen said:

catzz66 said:

It is not that complicated in my case. I have to do my work indoors
with the bike sitting on the carpet and if I backpedal, the wheels don't
roll.

You oil your chain on the carpet? Wow.

Jasper

It's no big deal when you use drop cloths.