Deontologist

Okay, I've developed a nasty squeak in my chain after cleaning it a few months back. After using various lubes it finally went away for quite a while

Now the squeak has returned and it seems like no amount of lube is going to kill it. Also, the chain often "sticks" a bit when I just coast. I tried pedaling backwards and it does seem as if the chain is a bit stiff.

Should I just replace the chain? I've already doused it in lube and I'm not really willing to squirt or drip any more lube on it. Chains for my drive train also seem pretty cheap.

Or should I get the LBS to remove my chain and then douse it in some solvent and then lube overnight?

achoo

Why do you need to have your LBS remove your chain? It's not exactly hard to do. Buy a chain tool and some quick links of the proper width (speed/gear count) and learn to do it yourself. Given that chains are a wear item and need to be replaced eventually, you really should learn to do it yourself.

And what lube are you using? Most any lube should work fine as the loads and stresses from bicycling are pretty pathetic compared to, say, automobile or industrial use. But WD40 ain't a lube, and some lubes don't work well in wet or dusty conditions.

ThermionicScott 

Maybe it's the RD pulleys that are squeaking?

Wanderer

First find out what is crying out for lube. Then use the proper lube on it.

chaadster

Hehe!

Deontologist

It's the chain. I cleaned it. It started squeaking even though I put on some semi-dry silicone based lube.

I went to the LBS and borrowed their thick lube. I let it soak in for a good while before riding.

Squeak SIGNIFICANTLY reduced. But still present.

I think the moral of my story is to NOT clean the damn chain. Or if you do, make sure you soak it in lube - and a good lube - not a can of White Lightning semi-dry from Wal-Mart. I did soak the chain in White Lightening once overnight to let the lube work in, and that worked a bit, but no where as well as the LBS lube - which was just some oil stuck in a squirt bottle.

KBentley57

That's a terrible moral, of course the chain should be cleaned. You're right however, when you clean it you should use an appropriate lube.

zonatandem

I NEVER use lubes on any of my chains for the last 40 years.
I do the 'hot wax' method.
Remove chain; clean it in some type of solvent.
Dry chain, and then drop it in a can of heating liquid canning wax for about 5 minutes.
Remove with long handled pliers and let air dry/cool.
Re-install.
I usually use an electric burner outside; don't do this in the house!
No squeaks, no greasy mess; re-do as needed. For us we can go 4 to 5 thousand miles between cleaning/waxing.

chaadster

Dude. A lubed chain does not squeak. Period.

JerrySTL

I use an old crock pot instead of a burner. Much safer. Safe enough to do out in the garage. Takes about an hour on high to melt the wax. Once fully heated, it's plenty hot enough to evaporate any water left in the chain after rinsing it.

I usually just remove the chain and lay it on the the wax while it's melting. Then I go back to clean the bike. By time I'm done cleaning the bike, the wax is melted and the chain is lubed. I move it around some with a long screwdriver to make sure the wax gets in the right places. Instead of pliers, I use a bent, metal clothes-hanger that I put through one of the links when putting the chain into the crock pot to remove it. I can use the clothes-hanger to hang up the chain to dry.

I lube my chain every 300-500 miles. I use a KMC quick link. Probably too often, but better too often than not often enough.

Oh! I get 5 or 6 lubes out of the wax. While it's still melted, I tip the crock-pot to one side and use a long, bent spoon to remove any sediment.

Wanderer

Barring any use of chain specific lube like "Chain L" ( I don't like dry lubes ) I think the best thing you can use is warm chain saw bar oil. Warm it in it's own bottle (1 qt plastic container) in a bucket of HOT water. Let it drip dry, and wipe with a cloth to remove excess on the side plates. MHO

disclaimer - I don't ride in the desert. So I don't have sand to worry about.

10 Wheels

Wrong;

https://vimeo.com/57245552

Leebo

What are you using to clean your chain? Water and soap? Don't do that. Put some mineral spirits or wd-40 on a cloth. Spin the chain backward, while bike is on a stand. Clean with cloth. Apply lube to inside of chain while spinning backward. Repeat as needed. is is what works for me, the wd -40 only get the surface dirt and gunk off. YRMV. Squeak, check derailleur too. And cranks, pedals , chainrings.

chaadster

OP is reporting in another thread right now that there's a clunk in the drivetrain under load...yet, the squeaking has gotta be the chain?!?! Hahaha! Hopefully he'll take the insight given and look more closely, particularly at the hub.

Elvo

Maybe you put back the link or pin incorrectly?