What weight is chain lube?
02-15-10, 05:14 PM
#1
Unlisted member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 6,192
Bikes: Specialized Hardrock
Mentioned: 29 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1376 Post(s)
Liked 432 Times
in
297 Posts
What weight is chain lube?
This isn't really a bike maintenance question, but I'm hoping it is close to one to not cause any undo annoyance. I'm trying to lubricate an IBM Selectric typewriter for work (yes, there are still business that need a typewriter) and they recommend 10W oil for the mechanical parts. The bottle of chain lube I have (Pedro's Road Rage) has a nice tip on it that looks ideal for the job, but it doesn't give a weight for the oil. Does anyone know what weight oil the Pedro's Road rage is? Has anyone used it to lube a typewriter?
02-15-10, 05:19 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 9,438
Bikes: Trek 5500, Colnago C-50
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
6 Posts
I believe most chain lubes are lighter than 10W. On my chain I use one part 10W-40 synthetic with 3 parts mineral spirits.
My IBM Selectric broke so I threw it in the trash.
My IBM Selectric broke so I threw it in the trash.
02-15-10, 05:35 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: A Coffin Called Earth. or Toronto, ON
Posts: 12,257
Bikes: Bianchi, Miyata, Dahon, Rossin
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
5 Posts
if you've used phil wood tenacious, that's the consistency of 10W-30 right there.
__________________
Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
02-15-10, 07:34 PM
#4
Gear Hub fan
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 2,829
Bikes: Civia Hyland Rohloff, Swobo Dixon, Colnago, Univega
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Many chain lubes use a fairly heavy oil in a evaporating carrier so the weight of the oil is quite heavy once the solvent evaporates. Others are "Dry" lubes with wax or Teflon in a evaporating carrier.
Chain lube weights and characteristics are proprietary usually, and vary widely, so no telling what you have.
I would favor getting some sewing machine oil or 3 in 1 MOTOR oil, the stuff in the blue can. Regular 3 in 1 gums up as it contains a vegetable oil.
Chain lube weights and characteristics are proprietary usually, and vary widely, so no telling what you have.
I would favor getting some sewing machine oil or 3 in 1 MOTOR oil, the stuff in the blue can. Regular 3 in 1 gums up as it contains a vegetable oil.
__________________
Gear Hubs Owned: Rohloff disc brake, SRAM iM9 disc brake, SRAM P5 freewheel, Sachs Torpedo 3 speed freewheel, NuVinci CVT, Shimano Alfine SG S-501, Sturmey Archer S5-2 Alloy. Other: 83 Colnago Super Record, Univega Via De Oro
Visit and join the Yahoo Geared Hub Bikes group for support and links.
https://groups.yahoo.com/group/Geared_hub_bikes/
Gear Hubs Owned: Rohloff disc brake, SRAM iM9 disc brake, SRAM P5 freewheel, Sachs Torpedo 3 speed freewheel, NuVinci CVT, Shimano Alfine SG S-501, Sturmey Archer S5-2 Alloy. Other: 83 Colnago Super Record, Univega Via De Oro
Visit and join the Yahoo Geared Hub Bikes group for support and links.
https://groups.yahoo.com/group/Geared_hub_bikes/
02-15-10, 07:36 PM
#5
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
I use Tri Flow in my sewing machine and it came highly rated for this use by the sewing machine guy... it comes in a pen tip dispenser which is great for lubing small points.
