vol

Should we count the number of rides to give it a regular lube, or the number of days even if you didn't ride much? E.g. riding every day for 2 weeks, versus riding 1-2 times a week for 1-2 months. Which way would you lube more?

DavidLee

I lube mine every 100 miles.

Pamestique 

I lube my bikes after each ride. I ride, take the bike in the garage, clean it and lube it, ready for the next ride. That's probably alittle excessive but works for me.

GriddleCakes

Whenever it starts chirping. And after rainy rides.

Steely Dan

+1

i don't have a scientific system, i just know when my chain needs a wipe down and lube. that could be after several hundred miles, or immediately after riding through heavy rain or winter slop. the conditions i'm riding in more significantly affect how often i lube than some linear time/distance equation.

hueyhoolihan

i ride everyday and wipe down the chain, RD, and chainring then throw on some oil. i usually wipe castoff oil off the rear wheel too. occasionally wipe grease marks off chainstays and BB.

BTW, this is MUCH more than i used to due when i was younger. then it was, wait for noise and a quick dash of triflow from a spray can and go.

bkaapcke

I do a little clean up and inspection after every ride. Any adjustments needed are done then. Clean/lube the chain every 100 miles. The bike is always ready, and in perfect shape. bk

Looigi

Every 4-6 rides, 1-2 weeks or after washing it or riding in the rain. All brake caliper pivot points, all front and rear DR pivot points, jockey wheels, pedal/cleat release mechanism, and chain.

GriddleCakes

Have you considered using a different, perhaps heavier lube? I haven't had any oil castoff issues since I stopped using Triflow as chain lube.

I ride every day, and so it's pretty easy to keep up on bike maintenance, as I tend to notice any change in performance from day to day. I do wipe the chain down every night, back pedal it through a rag after I put it up on the rack, because it reduces the potential for grease stains on my clothes.

I could see how it might be easier to clean and lube after every ride on an infrequently or irregularly ridden bike, just to guarantee that the bike is always in tip top shape and ready to roll. But to me, on a bike ridden daily, cleaning and lubing after every ride is a waste of time and lube. I was meticulous about cleaning the bike for the first couple of years of riding, but it began to feel like using a bike as my primary vehicle was more of a hassle than using the car. Now the bike only gets a full wash twice a year, lubed only when needed, and consequently blends in with the beater bikes on the rack at work better than if it were clean and pristine.

Northwestrider

+1 My LBS has said, just try to beat the squeak. It seems to work for me.

dsprehe89

In my opinion it also depends on what you ride. I ride a single speed road bike and a BMX bike the most, on both of them since neither have derailleurs and thus fewer moving parts I rarely lube them at all. However, I lube my MTB almost every/every-other ride.

In fact, I don't think I've ever actually given my BMX bike an actual full lube, i've sprayed some quick chain lube on it, but thats about it. And I've owned it for 12 years and it still rides amazingly. Single speed bikes can take some serious abuse, that is why they were the only thing I could own from when I was 9 all the way up till I was 15.

Gibs

I use easy lube by white lightening. its this wax stuff. Sheds the dirt and such. I rewax with it every month or so when it feels dry or if it got wet. Usually put 300+ miles a month on it.

vol

Seems the consensus is to lube it after a ride. Sometimes I tend to lube it just before a ride, because, for one, the smell won't stay indoor (no outdoor garage); two, riding will help distribute the oil. Looks like dumb idea

JonathanGennick 

It depends upon the lube. I run an oil-based lube, and there's no issue putting that on before, during, or after a ride. With wax lubes though, I believe there is an advantage to lubing after a ride, because it takes time for the solvents to dissolve and the wax to dry. Thus, you want a wax lube to sit for awhile before you ride the bike.

vol

Mine are Finish Line Wet Lubricant and Tri Flow. Are the oil or wax based?

BHOFM

Once a week, Sundays. That works out to about 300/400 miles.

The little Spalding I do once a month. About the same mileage.

Clean and lube the chain, clean all the cogs, wipe whole bike down,
drop of oil on all the cables, brake pivots.

I do a preflight every day before leaving. If I ride in the rain I wipe
everything down as soon as I get home.

JonathanGennick 

Those are oil.

JPWendtinc

Depends on the ride. I do a lot of prairie path (crushed limestone) riding. That dust gets everywhere so I always clean and lube the moving parts immediately. I also do so after a wet ride or a mountain bike ride. When I am on my road bike in dry conditions, I usually wait until things get noisy.

Booger1

Mine gets looked at every weekend,which is about 200 miles or so.It gets what's needed,chains,gears,tires brakes,washed.It gets a tear down and inspection once a year,about 10,000 miles.So far it's lasted 33 years,I expect another 33.