Originally Posted by
TXRunner78
Is degreasing the chain a matter of just spraying it down and letting the cleaner do it's job, or do I need to get in and scrub the chain with a rag or something? Such a newb question. LOL.
Was out on my ride on Saturday. Had a guy pass me up who appeared to be working no harder, or even less than I was. I don't believe he was on a TT bike, but a road bike. But he did have way nicer wheels than I did. Got to find out the secret to that. I was doing around 18mph at the time and he probably passed me up doing 20mph or so and it looked effortless.
No disrespect intended, but I'm sure the chain isn't going to be worth that much. Not advising against cleaning your chain, but don't expect to jump on and just go "wow! I'm so much faster now." Aint' gonna happen. Fact is, some people are and always will be faster than you.
There have been multiple times when I've blown by someone and felt all cocky, and just a mile or two further along some dude just cruises past me like I'm tied to a fence post. I like to think I'm pretty quick. On flat ground, I can hold around a 20mph pace for several miles. But when I was in Miami earlier this year I was running about that pace and had more than a few guys pass me like I'm dragging a dead rhinoceros.
But when it comes to chains, I have become a big fan of waxing. Not because I can tell a speed difference, but because it's so much cleaner than oil. I've heard it's suboptimal in humid environments but I live in a very dry environment so wax is really good at providing lubrication without attracting the grit and sand associated with petroleum lubricants.