Originally Posted by
Burton
I do think chain lube gets an unrealistic amount of attention. SPD cleats and pedals, wheel bearings, headset bearings, derailleurs etc also all have finite lifespans and for some reason people don't generally obsess over maintenance or replacement intervals on those things. In fact most tend to be in pretty sorry shape.
That's because those things have simple maintenance requirements that almost everyone can agree on. Everyone (here on BF) knows that bearings need to be greased. The ones that are in sorry shape have just been neglected. OTOH, there are about a million different ways to maintain a chain, and they wear out faster than most other parts of the bike, and every rider/condition is different. Hence the endless arguments.
BTW - wheel bearings wear out? And what can one do to stop SPD pedals/cleats from wearing out besides not using them? What can one do to "maintain" a derailer?