Installing New Chain?
04-21-10, 11:30 AM
#1
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Installing New Chain?
The instructions with Shimano chain says to wash it
with soap and water before installing.
Any reason to do that?
I clean a dirty chain with paint thinner,
is that ok?
thanks for your time
pescador
with soap and water before installing.
Any reason to do that?
I clean a dirty chain with paint thinner,
is that ok?
thanks for your time
pescador
04-21-10, 02:09 PM
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The washing bit is probably to remove the coating of factory grease that prevents rust while the chain sits on the shelf. You could probably use any degreaser. As I recall, I wiped my most recent new chain down using a rag onto which I had sprayed some clean streak. Then I installed it. Then I lubed it.
04-21-10, 04:27 PM
#3
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These instructions say nothing about using soap and water on the chain. New chains have a heavy grease on them that soap and water would not remove. One alternative is to just wipe the exterior with mineral spirits (paint thinner) to reduce the dirt attraction, but the grease will keep oozing out of the chain on each of the first several rides, still attracting dirt. Wipe after each ride and eventually apply your regular lube of choice.
https://bike.shimano.com/media/techdo...9830682232.pdf
https://bike.shimano.com/media/techdo...9830682232.pdf
Last edited by DaveSSS; 04-22-10 at 07:27 AM.
04-21-10, 05:05 PM
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I typically take the chain out of the packaging and run it as it. I feel the factory goop on the chain is the best lubricant out there.
After a few rides i'll inspect it and if there is a bunch of crap on it i'll take it off and use some Pedro's Pro J or Simple Green to clean it and then submerge it in some Rock n Roll Gold lube.
I wipe the chain until its almost dry and reinstall it.
The thing about chains is everyone has their own method of maintenance. Some use mineral spirits, some use soap and water, some don't use anything and just keep applying oil and run the chain through a rag.
After a few rides i'll inspect it and if there is a bunch of crap on it i'll take it off and use some Pedro's Pro J or Simple Green to clean it and then submerge it in some Rock n Roll Gold lube.
I wipe the chain until its almost dry and reinstall it.
The thing about chains is everyone has their own method of maintenance. Some use mineral spirits, some use soap and water, some don't use anything and just keep applying oil and run the chain through a rag.
04-21-10, 08:42 PM
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04-22-10, 06:25 PM
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From: jbrandt@hpl.hp.com (Jobst Brandt)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.tech
Subject: Re: White Lightning?!?!? Never again!
Date: 9 May 2000 15:18:49 GMT
John Getsoian writes:
> Have you considered that the nature of the very sticky oil coating
> put on chains prior to distribution may have more to do with long
> term corrosion resistance on storage in possibly humid environments
> than it does with its virtues as a working lubricant?
This a classic rhetorical question with no endorsement of one position
or another, except to perpetuate folklore. I can see it now, chains
are made in far away places, across the sea, from whence they are
shipped unpackaged and exposed to the elements on the decks of small
ships. GIVE ME A BREAK!
I can also see Trek and Cannondale rinsing these corrosion protected
chains so that they can be "properly" lubricated before installation
on new bicycles. You should be glad if you could care for your chain
with as good a lubricant as what is on it when you unpack it. The
stuff does not run or spatter, and if there's too much, you can always
wipe off the excess after installation on your bicycle.
Jobst Brandt
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.tech
Subject: Re: White Lightning?!?!? Never again!
Date: 9 May 2000 15:18:49 GMT
John Getsoian writes:
> Have you considered that the nature of the very sticky oil coating
> put on chains prior to distribution may have more to do with long
> term corrosion resistance on storage in possibly humid environments
> than it does with its virtues as a working lubricant?
This a classic rhetorical question with no endorsement of one position
or another, except to perpetuate folklore. I can see it now, chains
are made in far away places, across the sea, from whence they are
shipped unpackaged and exposed to the elements on the decks of small
ships. GIVE ME A BREAK!
I can also see Trek and Cannondale rinsing these corrosion protected
chains so that they can be "properly" lubricated before installation
on new bicycles. You should be glad if you could care for your chain
with as good a lubricant as what is on it when you unpack it. The
stuff does not run or spatter, and if there's too much, you can always
wipe off the excess after installation on your bicycle.
Jobst Brandt
