sdime

What and how do you lube the chain? I've been using WD-40, but
that doesn't seem right.

Six jours

Thank god someone finally asked this vital question.

WD-40 works if you reapply it every few days. The "WD" stand for "Water Displacing". Any lubricating properties are sort of incedental.

Most bike-specific wet lubes work reasonably well. I like Phil Wood. Motor oil works great, but your chain will get dirty. Wax and "dry lubes" like White Lightning don't lubricate very well, IMO, but your chain stays clean.

The choice, essentially, boils down to whether you like a quiet and smooth chain that attracts dirt, or a squeaky and rough running chain that stays clean. You will find people that will argue these things (and soon, if past experience is any indicator) but the above has been my experience.


HTH!

hankpiece

As to HOW to lube, it's pretty simple. You turn the pedals (and therefore the chain) and drizzle the lube on. You then wipe off the excess. ta-da!

this will work for the majority of lubes. If you want to mess around with wax you have to boil the chain in it. Fun!

sdime

If motor oil is used, would I need to clean the chain often? And what is the proper way to clean the chain?

Do you guys have a bike stand to make servicing the chains, etc, easier? If so, could yall recommend a cheap one?

Six jours

On the track, not really. On the road, yes.

"Proper" chain cleaning is one topic that's even more contentious than lubing, I think. Most folk here seem to take the chain off for cleaning. I think that's a waste of time, and it seems to me that breaking and riveting a chain every couple of weeks would result in more wear. I haven't tried it myself, however, so...

Sometimes I clean with WD-40. I take the rear wheel off, use a chain tensioner or "sleeping hub" to hold the chain, spray the hell out of it with the WD, and then wipe it down thoroughly. If the chain isn't filthy or crusted over, this works nicely. For really dirty chains I use carb cleaner or a 50/50 gas/diesel mixture applied with a paintbrush and then rinsed off with a hose. This is truly effective, but will eat some kinds of paint, and will piss off your landlord if you're in an apartment.

Yes, I do. I don't know of any cheap full sized stands. Ebay might be your friend on this one. You might also look for sidestands that hold the bike by the stays with just the rear wheel off the ground. These used to be common. Dunno if they're still available.

sdime

I've seen friends use the Park bike stand. It seems to work great. However, I just don't have space for a bike stand. Also, I probably don't service the bike frequently enough to justify a full blown bike stand.

I like the idea of just raising the rear wheel off the ground. I can probably build something using 2x4's.

Six jours

Hey, it's your lucky day. I'm bored *****less and ran out of beer an hour ago.

Below is a sidestand. It's crappier than they used to be, but they work okay and the price is right, eh?
https://cgi.ebay.com/bicycle-stand-mt...QQcmdZViewItem


Also saw this one. Haven't used one, but have used trainers that used the same principle and they work fine.
https://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Minoura-DS-3...QQcmdZViewItem


<edit> Oops, just noticed the sidestand is located in Australia. Guess now I know why that personal shopper gig didn't work out for me. Now you know what they look like, anyway.

As a consolation, here's another style.

https://cgi.ebay.com/Bicycle-Display-...QQcmdZViewItem

These ones are definitely on the sucky end of things, but there you go.

3Lph

My bike stand:




ghettofabulous.

edit: I need to clean my ****ing desk.

wildturkey

Do a search. Read Sheldon Brown.

Kol.klink

BRILLIANT, The wood stand, did you score that wood for free, or did you break down and hit up the depot

3Lph

It was old scrap wood I had lying around from previous projects.

jakbikesdc

I love when people put photos of their pads in the forums. I always feel so curious and voyeuristic whenever I see a pic of someone else's room. I think I shall start a thread of room situations.hmmm.