Bike Lube ---> Higher RPM leading to higher speeds?
12-20-13, 01:06 PM
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Bike Lube ---> Higher RPM leading to higher speeds?
Hey guys, quick noob question here
About a 6 months ago I bought a motobecane bike (nothing special) and road it about ~200~ miles outside. The area where I live has sucky roads so I now just ride on a trainer. Anyways, I am at 800 miles right now and a couple of days ago one of my tubes popped. Went to the store...yada yada, and realized I never ever cleaned my gears in those months. I decided to buy some lube and my tubes ect and cleaned my gears and chain.
As of yesterday my typical 50 min ride accumulated 5 extra miles, which was a bit of a shock to me, but also its the speed at which I was going at which stumped me ever more. I went up 2 mph from my original base
. And it does not seem to make any sense because at the gears that I previously road I had a good work out, now it feels more "easy". it Does not matter which gear I switched to, everything felt more fluid, and the more power I applied the higher speed output obviously, but it feels a lot different than what it used to feel, its like a phenomenon 
.
I was just curious if the chain cleaning and lube really makes this possible? Does the friction of the chain lower, and speed/output get higher with a proper clean?
-nick
About a 6 months ago I bought a motobecane bike (nothing special) and road it about ~200~ miles outside. The area where I live has sucky roads so I now just ride on a trainer. Anyways, I am at 800 miles right now and a couple of days ago one of my tubes popped. Went to the store...yada yada, and realized I never ever cleaned my gears in those months. I decided to buy some lube and my tubes ect and cleaned my gears and chain.
As of yesterday my typical 50 min ride accumulated 5 extra miles, which was a bit of a shock to me, but also its the speed at which I was going at which stumped me ever more. I went up 2 mph from my original base
. And it does not seem to make any sense because at the gears that I previously road I had a good work out, now it feels more "easy". it Does not matter which gear I switched to, everything felt more fluid, and the more power I applied the higher speed output obviously, but it feels a lot different than what it used to feel, its like a phenomenon . I was just curious if the chain cleaning and lube really makes this possible? Does the friction of the chain lower, and speed/output get higher with a proper clean?
-nick
12-20-13, 01:13 PM
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I suspect it's more likely you put the bike back on the trainer and changed the tension (or pressure). With less drag, your wheels roll easier and further.
12-20-13, 01:22 PM
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Even though I make chain oil and would like miraculous benefits, the truth is that total mechanical frictional power loss in bicycles is tiny. Even if lubes made a tremendous difference, lots of nothing is still nothing.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
12-20-13, 03:59 PM
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The speed your rear wheel spun likely varied due to different pressure, tension, etc. but Your speed and distance were identical in both instances. ZERO
Speed and distance is a bogus way of quantifying training and fitness on a trainer, as you are finding out. Intensity of effort and duration are what counts. Best is to use a power meter, but a HRM can also be used with some caveats.
Speed and distance is a bogus way of quantifying training and fitness on a trainer, as you are finding out. Intensity of effort and duration are what counts. Best is to use a power meter, but a HRM can also be used with some caveats.
12-20-13, 05:28 PM
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... on the road, Air is Still there to push Back. it resists more, the faster you want to go.
12-20-13, 06:10 PM
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Sounds like tires were really low before. I generally inflate my tires before every other ride. How often do you check your air pressure?
12-20-13, 07:23 PM
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The better "feel" could also be a placebo effect.
When I worked as car mechanic we always cleaned the customer's windows because a car with a clean windshield always seems to run better.
When I worked as car mechanic we always cleaned the customer's windows because a car with a clean windshield always seems to run better.
12-20-13, 10:14 PM
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thanks guys for all the replys, really helped me re-think the problem. I feel so dumb, I just got back from work, and switched the tension/pressure on my kinetic kurt, and obviously felt that burn I was missing, guess the lube wasnt it and its back to the proper tension. At least the chain is clean!...
on second thought...I'll buy 5
on second thought...I'll buy 5
