Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - newb alert, what parts aside from the chain should I be lubricating?

Yeah yeah I know I don't deserve to be riding a fixie or a bike if I don't know what parts I should be lubricating. blah blah blah.

If you can look past this, my question is: Aside from the chain what parts of the fixie do I really need to lubricate? Do I really need to be lubricating anything else? And while we're on the topic of lube, I have finishline wet lube for the chain and tri flow for the rest of the bike. I live in NY where the summers are hot and humid, if that helps.

how about trying the search.

i'll help you with one part, lube your seat :LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL:

KY is good lube...

there's nothing else i can think of that you really need to LUBE. if your headset, hubs and/or bottom bracket are not sealed, you should repack them every so often. other than that there isn't much in the way of lubricating maintenance.

p.s. it's better (but more time consuming) to clean the chain before you lubricate it. otherwise the grit just keeps building up.

yeah I've been the cleaning the chain before every lubing.

Proper chain maintenance is really important.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/chainclean.html

Your life hangs in the balance.

A little grease on the seat post.

for the love of BikeSnob, please take your effing chain off when you clean it.

and things that should have a drop of chain lube on them beyond the chain:
clipless pedal cleat springs (not the engagement platform though)
brake pivot (if you are still brave enough to use one)
carabiner pivot (on standard issue keychain)
buckle on Chrome bag

most everything else is greased, unless sealed. But there is some debate as to repacking sealed bearings as well.
Greased things:
bottom bracket
pedals (the inside portion)
hub bearings
headset
most threads (up for debate, but worthy reading topic)
stem (threaded)
seat post

most anytime that metal contacts metal, it may require grease/anti-sieze. (that should be non-specific enough to cover my ass)

I am proud (?) that somehow no one made a sex joke.

BTW, do those Park chain cleaners suck or something?

I am proud (?) that somehow no one made a sex joke.

i'm pretty sure someone said you had to grease your seat post....

Brake cable/housing if you use a brake

You want to grease pretty much everything that is ajoining, except the spindles of the BB: all threads (especially cog+lockring), seatpost, etc...

You want to grease pretty much everything that is ajoining, except the spindles of the BB: all threads (especially cog+lockring), seatpost, etc...

people have different opinions on this, but i say grease the spindles.

Can I ride my fixed gear in the rain? I don't have any lube for the chain. Just a tube a of grease around.

Is one ride in the chain without getting re lubed going to damage the chain a lot?

Can I ride my fixed gear in the rain? I don't have any lube for the chain. Just a tube a of grease around.

Is one ride in the chain without getting re lubed going to damage the chain a lot?

It isn't an engine and the chain ain't gonna have overheat and burn-out. Probably damage is quite insignificant. But it takes very little time to relube. So why not. Besides, chain's gonna be quieter.

Go ask your LBS which lube you want to use. Wax is nice but it wash off in rain. Wet is stay on in rain, but attract dust like sticky glue and sticks to your skirts like tar.

T

BTW, do those Park chain cleaners suck or something?

no. i love mine. it works so much better than a toothbrush and a bucket. and you don't need to take the chain off to use it. it's designed to be used on the bike.

I applied some tri flow around the crankset, is that ok? It's actually the part or handle (I don't know what it's called) that sticks out of the crankset that is attached to the pedals. someone help me out as to what that is called.

Also, should I bother purchasing grease?

Oh and I also use Pedro's bio cleaner to clean off the chain before lubing, is that sufficient or should I be using a different kind of cleaner?

http://will.incorrige.us/facepalm/picard.jpeg

I applied some tri flow around the crankset, is that ok? It's actually the part or handle (I don't know what it's called) that sticks out of the crankset that is attached to the pedals. someone help me out as to what that is called.
crankarm
http://casanovasadventures.com/catalog/bike/p2016.htm
save that link


Also, should I bother purchasing grease? do you perform a lot of bike maintenance on your own? If so, then yes you should.


Oh and I also use Pedro's bio cleaner to clean off the chain before lubing, is that sufficient or should I be using a different kind of cleaner?
that is fine

hey pitboss that was very helpful. good looks.

no. i love mine. it works so much better than a toothbrush and a bucket. and you don't need to take the chain off to use it. it's designed to be used on the bike.

That's what I'd been told locally as well. But everyone I know online seems to be against cleaning your chain without taking it off and soaking it, etc.

no, that was not what I said at all. For freewheel-based bikes, you can leave the chain on and use a chain cleaner.

most track chains have a quick link you can disassemble and remove for better cleaning. and safer cleaning. do a search in here and the internet. trust me

most track chains have a quick link you can disassemble and remove for better cleaning. and safer cleaning. do a search in here and the internet. trust me

do NOT re-use kmc's quick links. do NOT NOT NOT.

If you remove those cheap masterlinks, be sure to have a replacement. They are designed to be single-use only. Sure, you might be fine (and plenty of riders are), but why risk it? A card of KMC MissingLinks is rather inexpensive. Just be sure to purchase the correct size.

165: grease tapers or no?

If you remove those cheap masterlinks...you might be fine (and plenty of riders are), but why risk it?

exactamundo. i broke four ribs off a snapped chain with a re-used quick link. and i can testify (let me hear you say TESTIFY!) that it was a bad 'life decision'. you know?



165: grease tapers or no?

no. and make sure your dustcaps are on, too.

Well assuming I am careful with my fingers when working on my drivetrain (I always take special care when doing this.) is there any reason to take the chain off the bike rather than use a chain cleaner? On a fixed gear.

easier to degrease/clean when the chain is off, but if you clean/lube it regularly, there is no need to take the chain off as the grime and grit wouldnt be as bad.

165: grease tapers or no?

I always do, but very very lightly. Too much may create a gap large enough to allow dust/dirt/debris between taper and crankarm. Some folks use anti-sieze. I have tried both, and never had any problems with either - again, as long as it is a very light application. Just enough to allow things to slide apart during future maintenance/disassemblies.


and as far as chains/masterlinks - I am only speaking on DID, Izumi, and HKK. I have no experience with KMC, so my bad on speaking so non-specifically on that.

Well assuming I am careful with my fingers ... is there any reason to take the chain off the bike.

the being careful with the fingers part is the best reason. i personally keep the chain on and give the chain a fast wipe down and re-wax after every ride. yeah, i know it's a pain in the ass and all that, but it's on the side of the wax bottle for a reason: it works. my chain is grime-free and shines in the sun and all for only 20 or 30 seconds of work a day.

on the finger front, i only wipe and was my chain with the wheels on the ground. less chance of the drive train spinning unwantedly that way.