What oil to use!

There are tons of varieties of oil out there and everyone has a favorite. If you have a black chain or a squeeky chain then it is time to think about some oil.

Generally any type will do, with thicker oils being better in high heat and thinner oils being better in cold. the brand your bike shop or hardware store carries (if they have a bike section) is probably fine. Just try and stick to actually cycling chain oils.

I personally use Pedros Synthetic Lube. Seems to work well. While you are there try and get some chain degreaser. I like to pour some on a rag or wad of paper towel and pedal my bike backwards while lightly grasping the chain. this helps pull a lot of the gunk off the chain. I do this until it seems pretty clean. Then add a drop of oil to each link and let it sit for a few minutes before getting another clean piece of paper towel and wiping off the excess.

Oiling the chain is pretty easy and I try to do it to my bikes after every 100K or so (obviously not if I am riding over 100K in one sitting).

Good luck.

Just click on the search function on your upper right, type in chain lube, and you'll get many threads discussing the subject.

bhavesh90 said:

[FONT=Calibri]I’m not sure what oil to use on the gears of my Bianchi Camaleonte 2. I think I’m gonna need to oil them soon. Is it any special oil or heavy oil required?[/FONT]

[FONT=Calibri]Why don’t you ask the guys who service your cycle. They’ll probably know best.!![/FONT]

64Paramount said:

Just click on the search function on your upper right, type in chain lube, and you'll get many threads discussing the subject.

Thanks for the suggestions,

I will do that.

for the chain Chain-L is the best lube I've found.

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by maheshrathod [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]

Quote:
Originally Posted by bhavesh90 [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG] I’m not sure what oil to use on the gears of my Bianchi Camaleonte 2. I think I’m gonna need to oil them soon. Is it any special oil or heavy oil required?
Why don’t you ask the guys who service your cycle. They’ll probably know best.!!

Although your response has some merit this is the reason why most of us are here. We ask cycling related questions that hopefully leads to useful discussions. Some of the members here are most likely some of the best mechanics around. BTW if I ask the mechanic at the LBS what to use he will toss what they sell not what he is using on his bike.
Â

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by bhavesh90 [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]

I’m not sure what oil to use on the gears of my Bianchi Camaleonte 2. I think I’m gonna need to oil them soon. Is it any special oil or heavy oil required?

After trying many, I've settled on ProLink; it's the best...
Â

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by rparedes [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]

After trying many, I've settled on ProLink; it's the best...
 

+1. I have tried everything from motor oil to parrafin and ProLink has worked best for me. If you have been using ProLink, the only cleaning that you need to do is wipe the chain after each ride and apply ProLink about every 100 miles or so. Of course your experience may be different, and the environmental conditions in your area will effect the frequency of lubrication. Wet or dusty conditions will require a shortened maintenance interval.
Â

Yep, I've settled on Prolink as well. Apply one drop per bushing about every 100-200 miles. No cleaning needed, other than wipedown with a rag. Not sure if it's the best for rainy or extreme grit/dirt conditions, but for me it works great.
Â

I've been using ProLink for the past several months and really like it so far.
 
 
And from long long ago
 
 
In a thread far far away........
 
 
Lube Wars!!!!
 
This was a reply posted by Doctor Morbius in a thread several years ago that I think has some good info on chain maintenance. I removed several of the links he referenced since they go to articles in Velonews that were "not found", but I think the links that are left still work fine.
 
 
10/6/05 at 12:18pm
[IMG]cdn.cyclingforums.com80x80px LS 693411de 44416 Caveman.jpegOpen ↗[/IMG]

• Doctor Morbius
  
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• Joined: March 2004
  
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Re: How often to lube chain It seems to me that there is still quite a bit of confusion about proper lube technique and chain stretch in general. I've put together a few links from some of the best resources on the net for just such things.

There is no need to reinvent the wheel and be creative with your own techniques. These guys are THE authority on the subject and when I have problems with my bikes they are where I turn first. So, if you have a different ritual from what is mentioned in these links, chances are it's not going to be as effective as what they recommend. Hope this helps.
_____________________________________________

Here's a link to Sheldon "The Mechanic's Mechanic" Brown's chain maintenance and lube practices...
sheldonbrown.comchains.htmlOpen ↗
Sheldon Brown's web site is an EXCELLENT resource for bike maintanance.


Chain cleaning: parktool.comreadhowto.aspOpen ↗
Even Park tools says "After the chain is dry, lubricate chain with your preferred lubricant. Place a drop of lubricant at each roller and rivet."


Here's Park's CC-3 Go/No-Go chain checker and is also what I use...
parktool.comdet...at=5&item=CC 3Open ↗

Here's Park's more elaborate CC-2 chain checker...
parktool.comdet...at=5&item=CC 2Open ↗

Here's a link to the Rohloff Caliber 2 Go/No-Go chain checker that Zinn references...
rohloffusa.comframe.htmOpen ↗ It's under the Products tab


Other misc drivetrain issues...
Chain length sizing: parktool.comreadhowto.aspOpen ↗
Chain install: parktool.comreadhowto.aspOpen ↗
Tight link repair: parktool.comreadhowto.aspOpen ↗

Then again, there is another method that was "recommended" by Sheldon:sheldonbrown.comchainclean.htmlOpen ↗ .

An overview of 3 essential types of lubrication, complete with brand recommendations.
 
bicycletutor.comlubricantsOpen ↗

yup, really great recommendations.

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by Chapeau! [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]

An overview of 3 essential types of lubrication, complete with brand recommendations.
 
bicycletutor.comlubricantsOpen ↗

Good link!

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by Chapeau! [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]

An overview of 3 essential types of lubrication, complete with brand recommendations.
 
bicycletutor.comlubricantsOpen ↗

Good link I added it to my favorites. Thanks
Â

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by davereo [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]

Good link I added it to my favorites. Thanks

This is old information and very selective, it left out over a dozen other lubes and a new lube called Chain L which so far in all the reviews I've read, and from using it myself, it's easily the best lube on the market.

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by Froze [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]

This is old information and very selective, it left out over a dozen other lubes and a new lube called Chain L which so far in all the reviews I've read, and from using it myself, it's easily the best lube on the market.

I added your post to the Chain Maintenance Wiki.

bump [IMG]/img/vbsmilies/smilies/smile.gif[/IMG]

Tri-Flow is my favorite, but any lube should be used sparingly with excess wiped off. Especially keep your chain clean and lubed sparingly. I like to initially lube with Pedros chain lube then wipe and brush the chain down several times and apply a final coat of Tri-Flow with a light wipe down after. I apply Tri-Flow sparingly to all links and moving parts of the derailleurs, shifters, brake levers, etc. Annually I clean and repack all non-sealed bearings with Park bearing grease or Phil Wood grease. I also apply a thin film of grease to all screw threads before torquing, when assembling a bike unless they require Loctite.