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TOC Rain --- Chain Lube?
What does a professional cyclist riding 4+ hours and over 100 miles in the rain use for lube on their chain?
I realize they likely throw away the chain after one stage/ride; but, will the chain lube last for over 100 miles in the rain? |
Very few lubes will be doing a very good job at the end of 100 wet miles, but the actual chain wear won't be that great, even if the lube if failing. I'd pick something like 80/90W gear lube or chainsaw bar oil for those conditions.
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Silicon grease, I'd guess.
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Water
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yes. grease.
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The original grease on a chain will lube the internal part of the chain underwater for a long time- Its only when we clean the things we have problems- But you are right- New chain ecery stage.
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Here's a piece CyclingNews wrote during last year's ToC: http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2008...c_stage_two_08
Originally Posted by CyclingNews
In fact, most of the preparation was limited simply to different chain lubricants and perhaps a tire swap. Team mechanic Steve Kiusalas was applying a thin layer of grease (yes, grease, not oil) to the chains of his High Road riders prior to the start while some other mechanics, such as Eva Barabas of Health Net and Ben Oliver of Team Bissell, went with heavier weight oil. Barabas favors Pedro's Syn Lube while Oliver goes with a homemade mixture of marine grease thinned with mineral oil.
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I have noticed myself that water acts as an ok lube in the rain. Its not till it quits raining and the roads dry that I here the chain squeaking.
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Do they seriously get new chains every stage? Seems a little over-the-top. The implication is that these chains are not anywhere close to 100% their max efficiency after a couple hundred miles.
I guess the other side is that even if it is at 99.97% of its max efficiency, they can obviously afford it, so why not? Every little bit helps. Still seems wasteful to me. |
Originally Posted by gurana
(Post 8381935)
Do they seriously get new chains every stage? Seems a little over-the-top. The implication is that these chains are not anywhere close to 100% their max efficiency after a couple hundred miles.
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Originally Posted by gurana
(Post 8381935)
Do they seriously get new chains every stage?
I've found that Rock and Roll chain lube works good for sloppy conditions, as it seems to repel water. |
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Originally Posted by asgelle
(Post 8381975)
I spoke to a mechanic at the Tour de France a few years ago. He said they put a new chain on at the beginning of the Tour and as long as there are no problems will leave it on for the entire race. They do fully degrease and relube it every day.
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Originally Posted by Voodoo76
(Post 8382154)
Did he mention how they are doing this, what chain or link they are using? 20 replacement pins in a Shimano chain would seem to be asking for trouble. :lol:
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I was thinking that USPS replaced their chains every week during the tour. And given that the tour is 2,000 miles long that makes sense since my 10 speed chains need replacing after 1,500 miles.
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Originally Posted by bdcheung
(Post 8377263)
Here's a piece CyclingNews wrote during last year's ToC: http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2008...c_stage_two_08
http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/20...oli_grease.jpg I found that Rock n Roll lube doesn't last very long in the rain. I have used Pedros Syn Lube with better results though I agree a grease based lube makes more sense (but it would be messy). |
This question came up with a recent chat I had with one of the team mechanics the day before the start of the ToC. He said for wet weather races they use a standard lube (can't recall the brand) with a coat of grease on top. He said the grease provides a moisture barrier so the lube doesn't easily wash away with the rain.
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