View Poll Results: Dry Chain Sond 0 What Would You Do?
I would turn back and lube the chain
5
6.85%
I would continue on my ride and ignore the "dry" sound
31
42.47%
I would look for a LBS or a Dicks or similar and buy some lube
3
4.11%
I wear ear buds or am hard of hearing and would never hear that sound
2
2.74%
This has never happened to me, as, being perfect, I always have a properly lubed chain
18
24.66%
What - you're supposed to lube your chain?
3
4.11%
Other - please tell us and thank you
11
15.07%
Voters: 73. You may not vote on this poll
That "Dry Chain" Sound - What Does a 50+'r Do?
09-18-13, 07:48 PM
#1
Banned.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 20,917
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times
in
10 Posts
That "Dry Chain" Sound - What Does a 50+'r Do?
Five miles out on a planned 30 miler, you hear that "Dry Chain" Sound - oops!! - you forgot to keep it lubed. What do you do?
Last edited by DnvrFox; 09-18-13 at 07:54 PM.
09-18-13, 07:58 PM
#2
Senior Member
Ha! On RAGBRAI, I got a handful of small sample tubes of the new WD-40 chain lube. I threw one in my seat bag. So, I would stop and lube the chain.
09-18-13, 07:59 PM
#3
Banned.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 20,917
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times
in
10 Posts
Yes - I used to carry a small lube bottle with me, but I forgot to include that option in the poll.
Last edited by DnvrFox; 09-18-13 at 08:14 PM.
09-18-13, 08:10 PM
#5
Galveston County Texas
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: In The Wind
Posts: 33,221
Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1350 Post(s)
Liked 1,243 Times
in
621 Posts
Use Chain L and never have that occur.
__________________
Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
09-18-13, 08:12 PM
#6
Galveston County Texas
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: In The Wind
Posts: 33,221
Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1350 Post(s)
Liked 1,243 Times
in
621 Posts
Stop at a convenience or auto parts store.
Dig out a used oil can from the trash.
Drip a few remaining drops onto your chain.
Dig out a used oil can from the trash.
Drip a few remaining drops onto your chain.
__________________
Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
09-18-13, 08:19 PM
#7
Senior Member
I always carried a small spray can (1.5 ounce?) of WD-40 in my seatbag. Now I always have a small bottle of proper chain lube in the bag.
09-18-13, 11:09 PM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Northern Nevada
Posts: 3,811
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
This is a good idea--I'm embarrassed it never occurred to me. On the other hand, dry chains never happen to me because I'm not embarrassed to carry a seat bag big enough to hold the things I might need on a ride.
09-18-13, 11:37 PM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Buffalo New York
Posts: 2,470
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
wouldnt you have to go months or thousands of miles to completely run your chain dry of lube????
Isnt the regular variety of wd-40 a de-greaser???
to answer your question, I would continue to ride and ignore the sound unless my route happened to take me by a shop where I could get some proper lube..
once home and I beat myself up enough for the blatant neglect, I would look into replacing at least the chain if not the cassette also as the damage has probably been done.
So yes I never allow my drivetrain to get that bad. Im perfect.
Isnt the regular variety of wd-40 a de-greaser???
to answer your question, I would continue to ride and ignore the sound unless my route happened to take me by a shop where I could get some proper lube..
once home and I beat myself up enough for the blatant neglect, I would look into replacing at least the chain if not the cassette also as the damage has probably been done.
So yes I never allow my drivetrain to get that bad. Im perfect.
__________________
2010 Kestrel RT900SL, 800k carbon, chorus/record, speedplay, zonda
2000 litespeed Unicoi Ti, XTR,XT, Campy crank, time atac, carbon forks
2010 Kestrel RT900SL, 800k carbon, chorus/record, speedplay, zonda
2000 litespeed Unicoi Ti, XTR,XT, Campy crank, time atac, carbon forks
09-18-13, 11:42 PM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 11,016
Bikes: Custom Zona c/f tandem + Scott Plasma single
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 77 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 19 Times
in
11 Posts
Don't use wet lube on our chains!
We use the 'hot wax' method. Chain is always dry on the outside, but the pins are coated with hardened wax.
For us, the perfect answer in over 40+ years of cycling.
We use the 'hot wax' method. Chain is always dry on the outside, but the pins are coated with hardened wax.
For us, the perfect answer in over 40+ years of cycling.
09-19-13, 03:16 AM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Bay Area, California
Posts: 799
Bikes: Pacific Reach, Strida
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Well, I'm far from perfect, but I'm afraid I don't know what that dry chain sound is. I never take the chain off and clean it completely but I do clean it with a rag and lube it pretty often. I was under the impression that this was slightly neglectful of me!
09-19-13, 03:27 AM
#14
Trek 500 Kid
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Spokane WA
Posts: 2,562
Bikes: '83 Trek 970 road --- '86 Trek 500 road
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2904 Post(s)
Liked 382 Times
in
307 Posts
Keep going. Did it just the other day. I'm stocked up on cheap Sedisports and was going to swap it out this winter anyway. It didn't instantly fall apart on me or anything.
If I finish my new build next spring, as I expect to, then I'll be using expensive nickel coated chains on that and plan to wax 'em.
If I finish my new build next spring, as I expect to, then I'll be using expensive nickel coated chains on that and plan to wax 'em.
09-19-13, 04:39 AM
#15
Beicwyr Hapus
Call in a cafe for some pie. Ask for some olive oil and smear it on the chain.
Problem solved and will be OK to get you home, plus you've had some pie
Problem solved and will be OK to get you home, plus you've had some pie
09-19-13, 05:19 AM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Tampa, Florida
Posts: 5,585
Bikes: 2017 Colnago C-RS, 2012 Colnago Ace, 2010 Giant Cypress hybrid
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 408 Post(s)
Liked 122 Times
in
85 Posts
I must be in the "perfect" group because I have never had a dry chain. My daily rides are on a MUP with a seven mile loop. If that ever happened, it would be no big deal to finish the loop and wait till I get back to the parking lot to lube the chain. When I do a ride that's not on the MUP, I always clean and lube the chain the day before the ride so, I have never had to worry about it.
__________________
HCFR Cycling Team
Ride Safe ... Ride Hard ... Ride Daily
2017 Colnago C-RS
2012 Colnago Ace
2010 Giant Cypress
HCFR Cycling Team
Ride Safe ... Ride Hard ... Ride Daily
2017 Colnago C-RS
2012 Colnago Ace
2010 Giant Cypress
09-19-13, 05:30 AM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Toronto (again) Ontario, Canada
Posts: 6,931
Bikes: Old Bike: 1975 Raleigh Delta, New Bike: 2004 Norco Bushpilot
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
5 Posts
I lube the chains of working bicycles about once every couple of weeks, if in heavy use, once a week, if it hasn't been ridden since the last cleaning, then I don't bother. I will make sure they get done a couple of times a year, even if not ridden. I never get that dry chain sound.
Heard one on the trail, that was past the dry sound, and squeaking as it went by, yesterday though....
Heard one on the trail, that was past the dry sound, and squeaking as it went by, yesterday though....
09-19-13, 07:36 AM
#18
your god hates me
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,592
Bikes: 2016 Richard Sachs, 2010 Carl Strong, 2006 Cannondale Synapse
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1251 Post(s)
Liked 1,276 Times
in
706 Posts
5 miles into an 85 miler, that's when I'd start scoping out the nearest bike shop along the route...or maybe, maybe consider turning around.
09-19-13, 08:46 AM
#20
Senior Member
What IS the dry chain sound, anyway?
Edit: I see I'm not the only inquiring mind wanting to know...
Edit: I see I'm not the only inquiring mind wanting to know...
09-19-13, 09:06 AM
#21
Senior Member
No.
I'll clean and lube chains and gears when they are dirty, and lube them in between so they don't get dry.
I got some free samples of WD-40 Wet Lube and tried it on my wife's bike. This bike has always had more drive train noise than I've been happy with, despite cleaning and adjusting. After a thorough cleaning, I lubed with the WD-40 bike lube, it is noticeably quieter. We have yet to see how long it stays clean.
I'll clean and lube chains and gears when they are dirty, and lube them in between so they don't get dry.
I got some free samples of WD-40 Wet Lube and tried it on my wife's bike. This bike has always had more drive train noise than I've been happy with, despite cleaning and adjusting. After a thorough cleaning, I lubed with the WD-40 bike lube, it is noticeably quieter. We have yet to see how long it stays clean.
09-19-13, 09:22 AM
#22
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
Join Date: May 2007
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 17,952
Bikes: Litespeed Ultimate, Ultegra; Canyon Endurace, 105; Battaglin MAX, Chorus; Bianchi 928 Veloce; Ritchey Road Logic, Dura Ace; Cannondale R500 RX100; Schwinn Circuit, Sante; Lotus Supreme, Dura Ace
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10422 Post(s)
Liked 11,884 Times
in
6,088 Posts
The only time I've had 'dry chain' squeaks is when I used one of those 'waxy' lubes, which flakes off and leaves you with a dry chain. Liquid types don't seem to do that, though I did once find myself in a torrential downpour, 8 miles from home, and by the time I managed to get home, the only thing left on the chain was water! But there was so much of it that the chain ran quietly.
__________________
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
09-19-13, 09:26 AM
#23
Seat Sniffer
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SoCal
Posts: 5,626
Bikes: Serotta Legend Ti; 2006 Schwinn Fastback Pro and 1996 Colnago Decor Super C96; 2003 Univega Alpina 700; 2000 Schwinn Super Sport
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 944 Post(s)
Liked 1,980 Times
in
566 Posts
Only 30 miles? Pssh ... I'd keep going.
The sound can be maddening if the chain is really dry, though. On a long tour in the middle of nowhere, I once used olive oil to shut it up for a while.
Gotta find a way to carry just a little bit of spare oil ... maybe something like this: https://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=43972
The sound can be maddening if the chain is really dry, though. On a long tour in the middle of nowhere, I once used olive oil to shut it up for a while.
Gotta find a way to carry just a little bit of spare oil ... maybe something like this: https://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=43972
__________________
Proud parent of a happy inner child ...
Proud parent of a happy inner child ...
09-19-13, 09:30 AM
#24
Seat Sniffer
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SoCal
Posts: 5,626
Bikes: Serotta Legend Ti; 2006 Schwinn Fastback Pro and 1996 Colnago Decor Super C96; 2003 Univega Alpina 700; 2000 Schwinn Super Sport
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 944 Post(s)
Liked 1,980 Times
in
566 Posts
The only time I've had 'dry chain' squeaks is when I used one of those 'waxy' lubes, which flakes off and leaves you with a dry chain. Liquid types don't seem to do that, though I did once find myself in a torrential downpour, 8 miles from home, and by the time I managed to get home, the only thing left on the chain was water! But there was so much of it that the chain ran quietly.
It rained like hell. After all the rain was done, everyone's chains were squeaking so badly, I could hear them as I drove by. Amazing how something as little as a little oil can bring a smile of relief to someone's face.
Since then, if rain is in the offing, I go with wet lube.
__________________
Proud parent of a happy inner child ...
Proud parent of a happy inner child ...
09-19-13, 10:53 AM
#25
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
Join Date: May 2007
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 17,952
Bikes: Litespeed Ultimate, Ultegra; Canyon Endurace, 105; Battaglin MAX, Chorus; Bianchi 928 Veloce; Ritchey Road Logic, Dura Ace; Cannondale R500 RX100; Schwinn Circuit, Sante; Lotus Supreme, Dura Ace
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10422 Post(s)
Liked 11,884 Times
in
6,088 Posts
A few years ago, I kept encountering a woman who seemed to be on the same road as me at the same time. I thought of her as 'Squeaky Chain Lady', for the obvious reason. I came up behind her one time, and passed and tried to get away from her, but we seemed to be about the same level, because then I heard her behind me for most of a mile. Next time this happened, I hung back and turned onto a different road.
If I were single, I might have carried a bottle of chain lube and offered to silence the damned thing, but explaining to the wife that I was carrying a bottle of lube in case I ran into this woman again would have been ... difficult.
If I were single, I might have carried a bottle of chain lube and offered to silence the damned thing, but explaining to the wife that I was carrying a bottle of lube in case I ran into this woman again would have been ... difficult.
__________________
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles