Originally Posted by
cubewheels
I have about 3000 miles on a chain that only got ATF and wipe down treatment and the pins and plates looks like it's good for another 1000 miles.
The bike is 14 speed used mostly on the hills, road / gravel, usually cruising at 20 mph. Still shifts like new.
I never had problems like you described. I do put a newspaper between the drivetrain and the rear wheel during ATF job to avoid getting ATF on the wheels (I wrote it in the procedure in my previous post). And after you wipe down the chain and drivetrain for any excess ATF, it should not fling ATF on the wheels during rides.
Having full fenders on the bike even for dry season rides also helps a lot in keeping the drivetrain clean. They make a huge difference even in completely dry weather rides
If you are painting a bike, masking is a necessary evil. But you should need to mask the bike to lubricate it. You are making life much harder than it needs to be.
This bike has around 1500 miles on the chain. I’m estimating because I don’t keep strict records on my chains but it has been on there for months of summer and winter riding. The drivetrain wasn’t cleaned for the picture and hasn’t been cleaned since I put the chain on the bike. I expect to get 1500 to 2000 more miles on the chain riding in conditions for which the bike was designed. I also will not clean the chain until I change it.
The bike had also just returned from 2 trips to an area where the sand was deep enough that it poured like water from my shoes
This is also typical of the regions I ride this bike in regularly. Lots and lots and lots of sand, dirt, and, yes, cow dung. All without fenders because fenders get in the way when mountain biking.
If I used ATF like you are suggesting, I’d be cleaning daily. I’ve got better things to do.
Bikes do not need lots and lots of oil to run well and shift smoothly. Bikes also don’t need to be covered in grease and muck from the lubrication. I likely get just as much mileage out of my chains...a consumable item, by the way...as you do without all the fuss.