I keep passing other riders when I'm out riding who really need to learn how to properly maintain a bike. At least three times in the last week and already once this week I've passed a rider whose bikes sound like they have an angry feral cat caught in the derailer.

Here's a helpful tip for those people: If your chain makes sounds like, "screeee, screeeech, rrreeee, rinnkkkk, clankity, clankity", when you pedal, than it's probably well past time to oil that poor chain. You really shouldn't be able to hear your chain spin. And, the people traveling on the opposite side of the road definitely shouldn't be able to hear your chain.

I guess some people either don't understand or care that proper lubrication will prolong the life of their bike components. Not to mention it's way harder to pedal and shift with a chain that's all kinked up from lack of lubricant.

I give my bikes a quick check-up including cleaning and re-lubricating the chain fairly often. In the winter, it may be once/week due to wet & salty roads. In the summer (when it's drier), about once/month.

That is my first clue that chain needs not only loobing, but a nice clean as well.

You can get one of these:

https://www.comcycle-usa.com/ProductInfo.aspx?id=2996190

and some simple green or similar.....

funny you should mention that. I usually lube my chain regularly. Yesterday on the way home I was having a lot of trouble shifting gears and the chain was very loud. I usually keep a bottle of Finish line in my bag, but that bottle has been empty for a couple of weeks, I keep forgetting when at the bike shop. So anyway I got some lube and the ride in this AM was smooth and quiet. Guess it is easy to forget too.

In the summer its about once a month, or whenever I feel like it could use it.

I only made it two weeks this last time, due to a very wet/rainy Saturday night ride.

Daily.

In the summer it's less often because we don't get a ton of rain. I'll hit it with some Finish Line Dry once every week or so, and I don't need to clean it for most of the summer.

In the winter, I'm usually swapping chains once a week on the commuter. One on the bike, one soaking in mineral spirits.

After a strom or once a week.

Once a year whether it needs it or not,LOL.

Seriously about once a month or so in the summer and/or after riding in the rain.Weekly in the winter

I guess mine is in good shape - quite as a dead cat on the doorstep.

Once a week I wipe the gunk off the chain, lube it, let it sit for a bit and then wipe it down again.

I do that more often if its raining.

Once a month.

Is there a socially acceptable way to tell people they should oil their chain without coming off like some condescending wannabe-bike-god? I see/hear these people all the time, and I'd really like to offer them the advice, but I'm not sure it would always be appreciated.

Between this thread and the 4 inches thread, BF is now NSFW.

If you're going the same direction, you could always strike up a conversation first, then 'oh by the way...' on him.

If you're going in opposite directions, don't bother - all it will sound like is 'heyyourchainneedsjklsdfhjlkas.......' anyway as you pass.

Guess I am one of the guilty ones that don't lube their bike chains often. I do it only when I feel that it needs one.

I work with a guy who knows tons more than me, and every time he tells me something new - I store it and sure enough, time comes to pass that I see his suggestion was dead on. Granted I don't have the discretionary cash he has and I withhold judgment for a little while, but I think if you broach the subject as a nice informative guy then the noobies will appreciate the fact you even talked to them about their hobby! Sometimes I feel like such an ignorant noob that I'm not even worth chatting with. Meaning he is way up there and I'm way down here, why bother him with my ignorant questions, like do you ever coast or are you always pedaling, or do you wear eye protection. I've asked some stupid questions, but I really really was curious, and was really really ignorant.

There's another guy in the office who keeps talking about how his bike makes noise and I can't suggest to him about how to adjust a derailer anymore. If he's not going to make the effort to do more research or get his hands dirty ... He just bought a new bike and is complaining that it is making noise. For cryin' out loud - get out your screw driver and poke around a little.

depends. winter more often, summer more often, well I guess I get lubed more than I know?

I think most people with the squeaky chain are unaware that you don't have to clean it to make it quiet, you just need to add a little oil. That's been my experience.

EDIT: A lot of times they think they need to clean the whole chain to get rid of the squeak, that's why they never quite get around to it. Once they know they can just drop some oil on the chain they never have a squeaky chain again - you think it's annoying for you, it's even worse for them! :-)

I once told a guy his bike sounded like a division of Sherman tanks on the attack. Was that tactless?

Why cant I power wash my chain?

Dunno, bad aim?

Back on topic: I give the chain a squirt of PB Blaster about once a season.

Oh yea, what is PB Blaster?

PB Blaster is a penetrating oil and water displacer. It's a mainstay in my garage, nearly as effective in removing 40+ year old bolts successfully as heat and impact.

I tried white lightning, straight lithium grease, and whatever that weird citrus stuff is, but none of it lasts as long on my chain as PB Blaster.

None!

Don't mean to be cheeky!

Actually, my shaft drive bike does require some lubing so I lied ... but once every 2 years (if necessary).

Now for those who are dying to know how....

Lube front axle (this is below the bb):


Lube rear axle (located by the Nexus shifter):