Bicycle Mechanics - when and how to lube a chain

They guy at he bike shop told me that chain care was extra important on a bent. Well today was my first commute and it rained both ways and it is going to rain all week. When should I oil my chain? I don't think it will dry off in between commutes. Can I just oil over a wet chain?

Clean, apply lube, then wipe dry.

Clean, apply lube, then wipe dry.

If you skip the first step, you might as well not bother.

Just turn the cranks backwards and hold a lint free cloth to the chain to remove surface dirt and water, then apply a good lube of your choice. This should be fine for day to day stuff. But depending on your wet weather usage.. you could also invest in a chain cleaning kit, which will have a chain bath included... which will allow you to give the chain a really good clean without removing it.

http://www.parktool.com/products/detail.asp?cat=8&item=CG%2D2

and... http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=24

I do this every week in winter, and every two in summer... but I have the time and the opportunity, it may not be to everyones taste.

Search this forum using the words "clean", "lube" and "chain" and read some of the more than four hundred (400) previous threads that cover this topic.

I like Rock and Roll Gold lube. It is a cleaner and lube all in one. While turning the cranks backwards, you give the chain a good soaking with the stuff. After the chain is soaked, turn the cranks for a few more revolutions and then get a clean lint free rag and wipe the chain down while still turning the cranks in reverse. Takes just a few minutes.

Why the emphasis on turning the cranks backwards? As long as the rear wheel is off the ground, as on a stand, is any harm done by turning the cranks forward as you lube? Pardon the dumb question, but. . . .

You only have to turn them backwards if wheel is touching the ground. Also, turning backwards leaves the wheel stationary. I reall dont like to have my fingers around all those finger eating spokes less than an inch away from my chain.

You only have to turn them backwards if wheel is touching the ground. Also, turning backwards leaves the wheel stationary. I reall dont like to have my fingers around all those finger eating spokes less than an inch away from my chain.
Well said...

.. and not all of us have bike service stands, they are very expensive!

If you can afford one, brilliant. If not make do the old way, as it was done 25 years ago before bike stands became 'sorta' affordable.

But holding the wheel of the ground... turning the cranks... umm... no hand left to lube or clean the chain!

But no... it is not a dumb question. The drive chain is designed to work in forwards way, so a bike stand will make it easier to set up grears for one. When I am setting mine I have to turn the bike upside down... but I always have to tweak them later, just a little bit, a bike stand makes it easier to get them right first time.

But I say again... they are too expensive, and I cannot justify the cost of one yet... but give me time :)

But I say again... they are too expensive, and I cannot justify the cost of one yet... but give me time :)

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?sku=3523&CFID=90025251&CFTOKEN=69623690

$10. I use this for bike storage and day-to-day chain / tire maintenance. The rear wheel is off the ground slightly. I still use a "real" stand for bigger repairs.

should I be oiling the chain after every rainy commute? Or like once a week of rainy commutes?

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?sku=3523&CFID=90025251&CFTOKEN=69623690

$10. I use this for bike storage and day-to-day chain / tire maintenance. The rear wheel is off the ground slightly. I still use a "real" stand for bigger repairs.

I use something similar--$12 at the LBS. Interesting to be put into the plutocrat class after 35 years as a schoolteacher!. Jeez, Cadfael,all I wanted to know was if it was OK to rotate the cranks forward!

I use something similar--$12 at the LBS. Interesting to be put into the plutocrat class after 35 years as a schoolteacher!. Jeez, Cadfael,all I wanted to know was if it was OK to rotate the cranks forward!

Oh heck... I did not mean to come across as being heavy, I am sorry if that is how it looked.. I was just kinda thinking out loud on something you reminded me about.

I shall pull my neck firmly back in now.. and I thank you for the links guys.

;)