What chains do you guys use?
#51
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Yup, all my gold chains came icky sticky.
#53
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An unopened K710SL is a few feet away from me right now. I could open it and find out but then I might have to admit that I was wrong.
-Tim-
#54
Your cog is slipping.
The new gold one I just put on my bike the other day (and posted a pic of in this thread) was coated in the typical KMC goop.
The amount of chains I've installed on people's bikes is uncountable at this point. Every single one of them had lube on it.
The amount of chains I've installed on people's bikes is uncountable at this point. Every single one of them had lube on it.
#55
Calamari Marionette Ph.D
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Indeed. Having been involved in factory-level bicycle assembly where chains were installed on hundreds of bikes daily, I can concur that I've never seen an un-lubed new chain. The factory will always lube the chain, if only to prevent corrosion during shipping and storage.
#57
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#58
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Izumi Model-V Super Toughness-a mere $80 chain But it will last longer than my riding career. I then built a high-end drive train, hub, clogs and bottom bracket around the chain. A waste of money I'm sure but I'm happy with the setup and ride long road miles with it. If the wind is under 15 mph this is my favorite bike over two expensive road bikes. I'm not encouraging anyone to follow my example.
#59
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Izumi Model-V Super Toughness-a mere $80 chain But it will last longer than my riding career. I then built a high-end drive train, hub, clogs and bottom bracket around the chain. A waste of money I'm sure but I'm happy with the setup and ride long road miles with it. If the wind is under 15 mph this is my favorite bike over two expensive road bikes. I'm not encouraging anyone to follow my example.
#60
Senior Member
Both of my new KMC710SL's came pre-lubricated. One was the silver one and other gold (Ti Nitride). But, it isn't that typical waxy, oily stuff. It's more of a light oily lubricant...wet not dry-ish.
#61
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Indeed. Having been involved in factory-level bicycle assembly where chains were installed on hundreds of bikes daily, I can concur that I've never seen an un-lubed new chain. The factory will always lube the chain, if only to prevent corrosion during shipping and storage.
I'm in no position to contradict either of you. On the contrary, either of you have laid hands on more chains then I will see in my life.
I did however, just open a NIB K710SL. If there is lube then it is so thin and light that I'm barely able to discern it. There is certainly no odor.
Does that describe "typical KMC goop"? I'm not trying to be sarcastic or challenge but am sincerely asking.
One of the things that surprised me about this chain was that it was not wrapped in any plastic as I had expected given a lubed chain but packaged in a plain cardboard box. My understanding of nickel is that it has excellent corrosion resistance. These two facts and the experience similar to what I described above is what led me to believe that coated chains don't come with lube or require any corrosion preventative from the factory.
-Tim-
#62
Calamari Marionette Ph.D
I'm in no position to contradict either of you. On the contrary, either of you have laid hands on more chains then I will see in my life.
I did however, just open a NIB K710SL. If there is lube then it is so thin and light that I'm barely able to discern it. There is certainly no odor.
Does that describe "typical KMC goop"? I'm not trying to be sarcastic or challenge but am sincerely asking.
One of the things that surprised me about this chain was that it was not wrapped in any plastic as I had expected given a lubed chain but packaged in a plain cardboard box. My understanding of nickel is that it has excellent corrosion resistance. These two facts and the experience similar to what I described above is what led me to believe that coated chains don't come with lube or require any corrosion preventative from the factory.
-Tim-
I did however, just open a NIB K710SL. If there is lube then it is so thin and light that I'm barely able to discern it. There is certainly no odor.
Does that describe "typical KMC goop"? I'm not trying to be sarcastic or challenge but am sincerely asking.
One of the things that surprised me about this chain was that it was not wrapped in any plastic as I had expected given a lubed chain but packaged in a plain cardboard box. My understanding of nickel is that it has excellent corrosion resistance. These two facts and the experience similar to what I described above is what led me to believe that coated chains don't come with lube or require any corrosion preventative from the factory.
-Tim-
That's weird. My new KMC chains are in a shrink wrap and there is a visible mess inside. I have to wipe them off before installation because if they bump into anything it makes a mess. Not to mention my hands.
#63
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I'll add some data points from recent experience:
My two Izumi Ecos came out of the package coated in a thin layer of sticky wax. Definitely for rust prevention rather than lubrication, I'd say.
The KMC 710SL came out of the package slathered in a wet coating that seemed much more lube-like. (Unfortunately, it also broke my chain tool pin, so I don't know how it rides yet)
My two Izumi Ecos came out of the package coated in a thin layer of sticky wax. Definitely for rust prevention rather than lubrication, I'd say.
The KMC 710SL came out of the package slathered in a wet coating that seemed much more lube-like. (Unfortunately, it also broke my chain tool pin, so I don't know how it rides yet)
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#65
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#66
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Izumi Model-V Super Toughness-a mere $80 chain But it will last longer than my riding career. I then built a high-end drive train, hub, clogs and bottom bracket around the chain. A waste of money I'm sure but I'm happy with the setup and ride long road miles with it. If the wind is under 15 mph this is my favorite bike over two expensive road bikes. I'm not encouraging anyone to follow my example.
You wouldn't want to shark tooth your drivetrain with a worn out chain.
#68
Your cog is slipping.
A chain wear gauge is pretty useless on a drivetrain where no shifting is involved. I've literally used the Park Tool chain gauge on a K710SL chains after using it for one day and according to the tool, it was ready to go into the trash.
#69
Senior Member
As far as chain longevity and chains wearing out.....
My old 1989 Nishiki Ariel got a new chain, it's "FIRST" new chain, since I bought it new in 1989, about a month ago. I replaced the cassette but not the Biopace chain rings. The chain was definitely worn out. Actually I was surprised that it had not broken as I ride it all the time but it was acting weird so I swapped it out. No, the bike doesn't run super smooth but it's my bang-around town bike.
28 years out of a chain. Not bad huh. Mileage? Geez man, who knows, but it's a lot, both road and trail over those years...and it was a daily commuter for a few years to! I used Triflow on it for most of those years. The last 5 or so I used Squirt after I stripped it.
-
My old 1989 Nishiki Ariel got a new chain, it's "FIRST" new chain, since I bought it new in 1989, about a month ago. I replaced the cassette but not the Biopace chain rings. The chain was definitely worn out. Actually I was surprised that it had not broken as I ride it all the time but it was acting weird so I swapped it out. No, the bike doesn't run super smooth but it's my bang-around town bike.
28 years out of a chain. Not bad huh. Mileage? Geez man, who knows, but it's a lot, both road and trail over those years...and it was a daily commuter for a few years to! I used Triflow on it for most of those years. The last 5 or so I used Squirt after I stripped it.
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Last edited by drlogik; 11-17-16 at 10:24 PM.
#70
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Mike
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Sounds like someone may have purchased from a dealer selling out of bulk inventory. In my short 6 months at the bike shop, 100% of the new chains I installed had factory goop on 'em. Some had more than others.
#73
Calamari Marionette Ph.D
I wasn't clear I guess. All the KMCs I've purchased came in a factory sealed box. The chain was plastic wrapped inside the box.
#75
Calamari Marionette Ph.D
The general consensus in the mechanics forum seems to be that the Park gauge (and pretty much all others) are pretty inaccurate. Most of the guys recommend a good old steel ruler instead.