Lets talk lubes
10-02-07, 11:18 AM
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Death's Right Hand
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Lets talk lubes
So I want on a 50 mile ride on Sunday and hit some hard off road areas as well. About 30 miles was dirt, mud, gravel, grass/weeds, etc... As you can image my bike is pretty dirty and dry. All of the lube in my front shock is dried up and full of dirt as well as my chain.
I'm a gun collector and shooter and I have about two gallons of gun oil/lube. I wanted to know if I could use it to to re-lubricate my front shock and chain. I also wanted to know what you people use and recommend?
I'm a gun collector and shooter and I have about two gallons of gun oil/lube. I wanted to know if I could use it to to re-lubricate my front shock and chain. I also wanted to know what you people use and recommend?
10-02-07, 01:15 PM
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Read your shock manual. Mine requires that it be repacked with the proper type of grease, because certain grease types will degrade the bushings.
For chains in wet conditions, you want a fairly resiliant lube. Normally greases are not advised because they pick up sand, but if you're going to be getting your chain muddy anyway, greases are probably best. Remember to remove and completely clean and dry your chain before you re-lube it. Most people use a chain tool and a dish full of degreaser for this purpose.
Remember to always check chain wear when you clean your chain. If its worn more than 0.5%, you need to get a new one pronto. Otherwise, you'll probably be buying a new cassette soon as well.
What sort of lubricants are you considering using? I tried using CLP for a chain once, and it majorly did not work. It was just too light for a chain. However, I do use CLP as a light lube for other parts of my bicycle.
For chains in wet conditions, you want a fairly resiliant lube. Normally greases are not advised because they pick up sand, but if you're going to be getting your chain muddy anyway, greases are probably best. Remember to remove and completely clean and dry your chain before you re-lube it. Most people use a chain tool and a dish full of degreaser for this purpose.
Remember to always check chain wear when you clean your chain. If its worn more than 0.5%, you need to get a new one pronto. Otherwise, you'll probably be buying a new cassette soon as well.
What sort of lubricants are you considering using? I tried using CLP for a chain once, and it majorly did not work. It was just too light for a chain. However, I do use CLP as a light lube for other parts of my bicycle.
10-02-07, 05:18 PM
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I've heard of this Militec-1 stuff.. billed by some as a CLP replacement for deserty areas. I think this stuff would be great on a bicycle chain, as it supposedly does not pick up sand etc if properly applied, and is fairly long lasting, and provides corrosion resistance. However, I'm not sure if it would be able to resist water wash-out in the rain--but many other lubes don't either.
On the other hand, I think it might be a little too thin for bicycle shocks, which often need a thicker oil or grease. Again, try to find the manual for your shocks to see what it says.
On the other hand, I think it might be a little too thin for bicycle shocks, which often need a thicker oil or grease. Again, try to find the manual for your shocks to see what it says.
