Bicycle Mechanics - New chain has sticky lube on it

Hello, I got this new chain KMC or something. However it is sticky. Must some kinda factory lube. Should I clean it out before using it?

Hello, I got this new chain KMC or something. However it is sticky. Must some kinda factory lube. Should I clean it out before using it?

I think you might get a better answer in politics and religion. How did you vote in the last election?

Conservatives don't want to waste anything so they just leave the factory lube on the chain.
Libertarians want to clean out all of the old lube and start over new.
Liberals just clean off the excess around the outside.

Hello, I got this new chain KMC or something. However it is sticky. Must some kinda factory lube. Should I clean it out before using it?

Cool story bro

http://yovia.com/blogs/davidappelman/files/2009/10/troll-web.jpg

I think you might get a better answer in politics and religion. How did you vote in the last election?

Conservatives don't want to waste anything so they just leave the factory lube on the chain.
Libertarians want to clean out all of the old lube and start over new.
Liberals just clean off the excess around the outside.

:wtf: something tells me I should just use the search feature. I need a hero!!! :cry:

The late, great Sheldon Brown said to leave it. It's as good a lube as you could ever apply by hand, and best of all, it's inside the links. If you degrease the chain, you'll just flush it out and have to relube. So he advised just installing and riding it for a hundred miles or so and then just add lube as needed.

The late, great Sheldon Brown said to leave it. It's as good a lube as you could ever apply by hand, and best of all, it's inside the links. If you degrease the chain, you'll just flush it out and have to relube. So he advised just installing and riding it for a hundred miles or so and then just add lube as needed.

So now I've got to know. Did you happen to vote for McCain?

So now I've got to know. Did you happen to vote for McCain?

I voted for Palin, she's hot.

I voted for Cindy. I have a thing for ice queens.

I voted for Cindy. I have a thing for ice queens.

That's off topic btw

I voted for Cindy. I have a thing for ice queens.

That makes my original post 2 for 2. I just clean the sticky off the outside of the chain.

Operator doesn't count because he's a Canuk - also, since he said he voted for Palin, a liar.

I think you might get a better answer in politics and religion. How did you vote in the last election?

Conservatives don't want to waste anything so they just leave the factory lube on the chain.
Libertarians want to clean out all of the old lube and start over new.
Liberals just clean off the excess around the outside.

Great answer, except that I think you have the liberals and libertarians reversed.

Either way, is it safe to assume that those who voted for President Obama prefer ChainJ?

Seriously to the OP, wipe the excess off and use as is until it needs a re-lube.

Now to the health care reform debate.

The late, great Sheldon Brown said to leave it.

Wait, I'm confused. What party ticket did he run on?

EDIT: I guess it would be the Luberitarians

The wax works fine as a lube but make sure you put some oil on the chain before you ride it in the rain as it won't protect against rust.

Actually, I think it's intended as a rust inhibitor.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/chains.html#factory

Here's what Sheldon said:

Factory Lube


New chains come pre-lubricated with a grease-type lubricant which has been installed at the factory. This is an excellent lubricant, and has been made to permeate all of the internal interstices in the chain.
This factory lube is superior to any lube that you can apply after the fact.
Some people make the bad mistake of deliberately removing this superior lubricant. Don't do this! The factory lubricant all by itself is usually good for several hundred miles of service if the bike is not ridden in wet or dusty conditions. It is best not to apply any sort of lube to a new chain until it is clearly needed, because any wet lube you can apply will dilute the factory lube.

What does the sticky stuff on your chain taste like?????

Just saturate your chain with WD-40 and ride...:innocent:

Actually, I think it's intended as a rust inhibitor.

Not the kind of rust that grows here in San Jose. I followed Sheldon's guide and the first time it rained my chain turned orange. I decided I needed to add some oil at that point :-D

Thanks to those who responded within the scope of my question. If I were to use the chain as-is with the factory sticky lube, won't my sprockets and chainrings be coated with the sticky lube too then?

Thanks to those who responded within the scope of my question. If I were to use the chain as-is with the factory sticky lube, won't my sprockets and chainrings be coated with the sticky lube too then?

There really are 3 answers to your question and people willing to fight to the death in support of each one. Follow your own instinct.

I think it's a matter of personal preference. I remove it before installing the chain because my 'on the bike' cleaning method doesn't get rid of that stuff very well. So, it's easier to just get rid of it from the get go. bk

I just add Pro-Link, wipe, and go.

cosmoline...or something similar.

It's just an artifact from the normal birthing process of a chain... the oily residues are protective fluids from the mother.

Did KMC include the chain's placenta in the bag also? I hear it's good with fava beans and chianti.

For a sec I misread you as...

So now I've got to know. Did you happen to vote for McChain?

Hello, I got this new chain KMC or something. However it is sticky. Must some kinda factory lube. Should I clean it out before using it?

It is likely this, or something similar: http://www.fuchs-lubritech.com/cms/spip.php?page=produkt&id_rubrique=23&id_produkt=2993

Just saturate your chain with WD-40 and ride...:innocent:

Bad move. WD-40 will dissolve the lube there already, and then evaporate - providing no lubrication to your chain. WD stands for water-displacement. It's good for cleaning thinks like chain-lubes. I suggest you leave the factory lube along, just wipe off the excess on the outside. And ask us what the best chain-lube is. Get a bucket of popcorn, and watch the imminent fight.

http://bicycletutor.com/no-wd40-bike-chain/

Sarah Palin is about as sexy as the lunch-monitor I had in grade-school.

Wipe the excess lube off the chain. It's not doing any good on the outside, and it'll just attract dirt. Don't degrease it. As you've already been told, you want to keep the lube that's inside the chain.

The factory lube will continue to weep out of the chain, as you ride, so after your rides, you'll probably want to wipe the chain off again. Eventually, it'll stop oozing out of the chain. That's probably a good sign, that it's nearing time to start adding an aftermarket lube.

I take the factory stuff right off. No one around here (the Northeast) is lucky enough to ride in those perfect, non wet, non dusty conditions Sheldon Brown talks about, and nothing attracts dirt and junk better than that factory crap. Its one of the few things I disagree with him about. He should know better, he was located in MA.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/brandt/chain-care.html

I take the factory stuff right off. No one around here (the Northeast) is lucky enough to ride in those perfect, non wet, non dusty conditions Sheldon Brown talks about, and nothing attracts dirt and junk better than that factory crap. Its one of the few things I disagree with him about. He should know better, he was located in MA.

Goodness, why... i hope you mean you just wipe off the surface grease with a rag. You'll never get the lube inside the rollers better than the factory can.

That ties it! Can't you people use GOOGLE?? Look - it's here. Use it! Sheldon personally approved this - so it's the way to FLY!!

http://sheldonbrown.com/chainclean.html

Pretty sure he should be putting it in the dishwasher then?

You asked the same question on another forum, which in fairness to our host i won't name. Here's the answer I posted there, though I remind folks that I have an obvious bias as a maker of chain lube.

The real answer is it depends on what you prefer as a chain lube.

If you like wet lubes, and are going to use one, you might as well leave the factory oil on. What the chain makers use on their chains is decent lube, and their engineers' opinion of what's best for the chain. They use the same stuff on aftermarket chains as on OEM chains that are going on bikes. Those chains need to be sold lubed, because there's no assurance it'll be done later on, and the bike manufacturers don't want to get any grief about poor chains on their bikes.

If you leave it on, wipe the excess off the outside to keep the chain reasonably clean. Using a bit of solvent on a rag or paper towel may be needed for some of the stickier products.

If you prefer dry or wax lubes, you might as well remove factory oil, not because it isn't good lube, but because it isn't to your preference. However if you decide to wash it out with solvent or water & detergent, do a thorough job of it, and make sure the chain is completely dry, inside and out before relubing. When you do a poor job removing factory lube, or leave cleaner inside the chain, you end up with an emulsion which is a poor lube and also prevents whatever you apply from wicking in. (imagine trying to blot up an oil spill with a wet paper towel)

Either way, the short answer is once you've paid for the chain, it's yours to use and lube however you please. But if you changed lubes don't cry to the chain maker about short wear life.

http://thegrandnarrative.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/beating-a-dead-horse.gif

Yep

I knew I'd see you here, Ops. LOL!

Ops is absolutely right, it's been done so often so often it seems silly to the regulars.

BUT

It remains one of the most common questions asked by newbies, and gets so many conflicting answers as to be totally useless, to those who ask. It's also the most frequent question I get from buyers of my lube, so I assume that within a week or two of this thread settling below the horizon, it'll be back.

What does the sticky stuff on your chain taste like?????

Like chicken.

^ Yep I did. And the opinions, suggestions and anecdotes at the other forum that shall not be named is the same here.... inconclusive. So I have decided to just ride.

Ops is absolutely right, it's been done so often so often it seems silly to the regulars.

BUT

It remains one of the most common questions asked by newbies, and gets so many conflicting answers as to be totally useless, to those who ask. It's also the most frequent question I get from buyers of my lube, so I assume that within a week or two of this thread settling below the horizon, it'll be back.

Here's my take on it.

1) Lube the chain when it seems devoid of lube
2) Lube or any sticky substance on the OUTSIDE of a chain is detrimental and must be removed

You can't refute 1 or 2. People can make their own conclusions from the above. End thread.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXx<CR> 'ding!'

..........

You asked the same question on another forum, which in fairness to our host i won't name. Here's the answer I posted there, though I remind folks that I have an obvious bias as a maker of chain lube.

The real answer is it depends on what you prefer as a chain lube.

If you like wet lubes, and are going to use one, you might as well leave the factory oil on. What the chain makers use on their chains is decent lube, and their engineers' opinion of what's best for the chain. They use the same stuff on aftermarket chains as on OEM chains that are going on bikes. Those chains need to be sold lubed, because there's no assurance it'll be done later on, and the bike manufacturers don't want to get any grief about poor chains on their bikes.

If you leave it on, wipe the excess off the outside to keep the chain reasonably clean. Using a bit of solvent on a rag or paper towel may be needed for some of the stickier products.

If you prefer dry or wax lubes, you might as well remove factory oil, not because it isn't good lube, but because it isn't to your preference. However if you decide to wash it out with solvent or water & detergent, do a thorough job of it, and make sure the chain is completely dry, inside and out before relubing. When you do a poor job removing factory lube, or leave cleaner inside the chain, you end up with an emulsion which is a poor lube and also prevents whatever you apply from wicking in. (imagine trying to blot up an oil spill with a wet paper towel)

Either way, the short answer is once you've paid for the chain, it's yours to use and lube however you please. But if you changed lubes don't cry to the chain maker about short wear life.

A fairly well reasoned response, with a couple of errors. If you use a water based degreaser, you must remove all the water from inside the rollers or you'll end up with an emulsion. If you use a petrochemical degreaser...aka solvent..., the new lubricant (which is in a solvent similar to the petrochemical degreaser) will simply dissolve the residual solvent.

The factory lube doesn't last the lifetime of the chain. Thus the lubrication has to change at some point in the chain's usage. Whether you change it at the beginning of the chain life or a hundred miles later will have little effect on the overall life of the chain.

Other factors to consider in the chain's life are ride conditions. Someone who rides in the eastern US will have issues different from someone who rides in the desert Southwest or the rain forest Northwest. Or someone who rides a mountain bike will have different needs from a road rider. Leaving the factory lube on in here in Colorado and riding off-road will result in higher levels of chain wear because of the attraction of dirt which has a high percentage of silica in it. Silica is harder than the iron of the chain and will result in a grinding paste that wears chains rapidly. Alternatively, someone who lives in Portland needs a lubrication that will resist water more then the factory lubrication.

As you said, it depends.

Correcting your correction.

Not all mineral (non-water) solvents are created equal. Some will evaporate completely on their own, some will not. When mixed with oil, many will remain blended in solution with the oil rather than evaporating completely and thus degrade the quality of the lubricant. Unless one is familiar with the specific characteristics of their solvent (and the lube they may be mixing it with) they are advised to get rid of any solvent before lubing so that the new lube will perform as maker intended.

My post otherwise didn't speak of lubes lasting a lifetime, and yes at some time one will have to relube following a methodology dictated by their choice of lube and circumstances. Nor did I speak of what is or is not the best lube for any particular conditions, saying that the decision about the original lube depended on what kind of lube the user felt was appropriate to his needs or taste.

As the Operator said, it's a straight forward decision; either use the original lube after cleaning off the excess on the surface or clean it all off and replace with the lube of your choice. My only point was that if you were going to use a wet lube anyway, you might as well use what's there already.

Correcting your correction.

Not all mineral (non-water) solvents are created equal. Some will evaporate completely on their own, some will not.


Incorrect. All petrochemicals WILL evaporate. Some do so more slowly - depending on temperature and pressure. Just as water boils in a vacuum.

Incorrect. All petrochemicals WILL evaporate. Some do so more slowly - depending on temperature and pressure. Just as water boils in a vacuum.

I'll definitely take that into consideration next time I take my bike into space.

Correcting your correction.

Not all mineral (non-water) solvents are created equal. Some will evaporate completely on their own, some will not. When mixed with oil, many will remain blended in solution with the oil rather than evaporating completely and thus degrade the quality of the lubricant. Unless one is familiar with the specific characteristics of their solvent (and the lube they may be mixing it with) they are advised to get rid of any solvent before lubing so that the new lube will perform as maker intended.

Evaporation is not the issue. Mixing is the problem. An emulsion is formed between two substances that won't dissolve in each other. An emulsion is a heterogeneous mixture. Water and oil forms an emulsion and can be a problem. The water, being heavier, sits on the metal surface while the lubricant and it's carrier traps the water next to the metal. The lubricant can't get to the surface to do its job.

However lubricant and a petrochemical solvent form a solution, or homogeneous mixture. The solvent can dilute the lubricant but it won't cause the same problems as emulsions will. The lubricant has a solvent in it so that it can flow into the spaces of the chain and additional solvent will mearly make it flow a bit faster.


My post otherwise didn't speak of lubes lasting a lifetime, and yes at some time one will have to relube following a methodology dictated by their choice of lube and circumstances. Nor did I speak of what is or is not the best lube for any particular conditions, saying that the decision about the original lube depended on what kind of lube the user felt was appropriate to his needs or taste.


Your comment...


Either way, the short answer is once you've paid for the chain, it's yours to use and lube however you please. But if you changed lubes don't cry to the chain maker about short wear life.

...implies that changing the lubricant can shorten chain life. Since the factory lubricant will only last a relatively short time...perhaps 1 to 2% of the chain life...using or not using the factory lube will make little difference.

I'm outta here. This dead horse is now not only beaten, but has been totally pulverized into a paste.

I'm not interested in debating subtle arcane points of lubrication theory ad nauseatum, and readers are advised to consider the source and tone and relevance of what they read on this thread or any other forum thread.

The sad thing is that with all the flak on this thread, the OP got so befuddled that he did the one thing that there was genreal consensus about not to do, and wound up using the factory lube he should wipe off the excess on the surface, and now has to deal with an unnecessarily dirty chain.

http://thegrandnarrative.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/beating-a-dead-horse.gif

Yep
Gotta make sure it's dead. :deadhorse:

I suggest wiping off excess lube from the new chain. And applying one drop per link of the lube of choice. I use Boeshield T-9, which is wax-based and lasts a good, long time. Wipe off excess from the chain before use.

Anyone know how to get a chain out of a piano? It fell inside my upright. Now some weird punk-rockers want to borrow it.