Bicycle Mechanics - Quick Lube question

Really basic question but I'm going ask it all the same

When I get home from work it don't have a lot of time to clean and lube the bike ( 5 mins max - young family etc etc)

What are the essentials bits I need to lube and check at the end of the day?

My commute is between 13 and 20 RT and the bike is left exposed to the elements during the day.

You don't have to clean and lube every day.

Once in a while, spray some solvent OR, Simple Green cleaner on the chain and power rinse with your garden hose.

Dry it off reasonably well and apply your favorite lubricant. The chain need lubricating more frequently than almost all other components combined.

Hants - if you use a wet weather lube line Finish Line XC , you're probably okay once a week in wet weather and once a fortnight in dry if you're sticking to the roads.

Richard

i have heard that simple green is a horrible thing to put on your chain or on any other part of your bike. was i misinformed?

i use WD-40 to clean my chain and white lightning to lube it. but i only do it once/week (32 mile round trip X 4 days every week).

Bandit: SimpleGreen is NOT a horrible thing to use on your chain. I use it for a great many things, including cleaning and de-greasing my bike and chain. If concentrated (undiluted) SimpleGreen is left on RAW (untreated, uncoated, natural) aluminum over an extended (many days) period of time, it might cause surface etching. Virtually all aluminum parts, with the exception of the rims, are coated or treated aluminum. So if you use SimpleGreen on your bike, the key is to rinse thoroughly, in a timely fashion. SimpleGreen is non-toxic and biodegradeable. They even have a toll free number (1 800 228 0709) so you can get your questions answered. No, I am not a shill for SimpleGreen. I am just a very satisfied, long-time user.

Yes, simple green is bad for chains. It contains detergent, and you sure as sh#t don't want to get detergent in your link pins. It's great stuff for using on exterior applications, but never for chains or bearings. use a good citrus cleaner on those, and rinse them out well before drying, then lubing.

D*Alex wrote: " Yes, simple green is bad for chains. It contains detergent, and you sure as sh#t don't want to get detergent in your link pins. It's great stuff for using on exterior applications, but never for chains or bearings. use a good citrus cleaner on those, and rinse them out well before drying, then lubing.
"

D*Alex, I fail to see your alarm regarding detergents. A detergent holds dirt in solution or suspension until rinsed away. As with your citrus cleaner (some of which contain precious little citrus) it must be rinsed well. Perhaps you should have stated that one doesn't want to leave detergent (or citrus cleaner for that matter) in one's link pins.

I have been around chains for well over thirty years, in some incredible condtitions, and I use SimpleGreen as a safe, environmentally friendly, non-toxic, pet, plant and human safe way to clean my chains.

The problem with SG is that it attaches itself to grease (as all detergents do), forming lumpy deposits. These wash away easily on the surface, but not inside small crevases, such as the interior of a link. Also, since detergents bond, rather than dilute, they don't get into the smallest spaces. Inn the end, using a detergent leaves bits of residue where you don't want it, and doesn't get into the places where you need it the most.
A solvent, such as citrus degreaser (not cleaner!!) or mineral spirits, will remove dirt and oil from the smallest of gaps. Keep in mind, though, never use a petroleum based cleaner on a chain that you use a wax lubricant on.
Rinsing afterwards is crucial to getting dirt out of a chain. I've seen people soak a chain in SG, wipe it off, then put lube on the chain!! Some just spray the outsides and wipe. This does nothing to prolong the life of the chain!
Here's my method for getting 5000 miles out of a chain: Every 2 months or so, remove the chain (powerlink, of course), immerse in 2-litre bottle, with citrus degreaser. Shake vigorously. Drain. Add HOT water. Shake. Drain. Add HOT water again. Shake. Drain. Lay chain out to dry for many hours, in a hot dry place. remount.
Now, SG is great for rings, cogs, frames, even the surfaces of freehubs, hubs, etc. Unfortunately, it has detergents, and is very caustic to machined surfaces-it is very acidic and can etch some metals.

O.K., here is the final and AUTHORITATIVE word on SimpleGreen. I called SimpleGreen today and spoke to Walt Krause, V.P. of R&D. According to him Simple Green has NO detergents, they use an emulsifier. It is NOT acidic, it has a pH of 9.3, therefore slightly alkaline. It is perfectly safe to use on ALL surfaces when used according to directions. (including your wood floors!) Mr. Krause said that kerosene, or even gasoline, is the best cleaner for something that is greasy, oily and dirty, like a chain

I find that a wax-based lube like White Lightening works OK. Apply it to a clean, dry chain (with no residual oil), and just keep adding more. It seems to keep fairly clean by itself.
Dont mix a wax lube with WD-40.
I usually reapply WL every week or so, more in wet weather. It is more difficult to apply in the cold, and tends to solidify on contact below 10C.

Another possible solution to the chain-maintenance question would be a chain scrubber unit of some kind.

If your bike is exposed to the elements a lot, you may also want to clean the cables where possible, and lube them with a drop or two of light oil, every two to four weeks. If you use clipless pedals, a drop of oil on the mechanism pivots may help too.

Besides White Lightning, another "dry" lube I've used that seemed pretty good was Pedro's Extra Dry, and I've heard good things about their Ice Wax too.

Everyone - thanks for the info. :beer: