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anyone riding a proper singlespeed/fixie...

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anyone riding a proper singlespeed/fixie...

Old 04-06-09, 03:14 PM
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anyone riding a proper singlespeed/fixie...

...with chain tugs on bonafide horizontal fork ends and
NOT using any chain oil?
I'm not talking about a neglected chain, but one with the oil cleaned off.

I've been riding this setup on a few different bikes for years now and am pretty confused why anyone would want to dirty their bike up with oil and risk stains, dirt attraction, additional maintenance, etc. I know most of you guys are riding conversions or making do with horizontal drops and I can understand why track racers would benefit from a little extra slipperyness on a clean indoor track, but in my experience a straight chainline with the tension dialed in just right runs smoothly and efficiently with or without oil.

The reason I'm posting is because I'm so satisfied running oil free that I won't even consider buying new bikes with derailleurs, springloaded tensioners, or dropouts for fear of losing the magic. This is a problem because I've got the new bike bug and my selection of bikes with horizontal fork ends is rather limited.

Am I alone?
Perhaps I should mention that I did dip my chains in hot wax after I cleaned off all the oil, but that was years ago and as far as I can tell there's no remaining residue.
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Old 04-06-09, 03:16 PM
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lol
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Old 04-06-09, 03:24 PM
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so its like dry-shaving but with a chain?
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Old 04-06-09, 03:42 PM
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You can just use dry lubes then, that is unless you enjoy wearing through chains and gears.
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Old 04-06-09, 03:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Jaw,Knee,Music
so its like dry-shaving but with a chain?
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Old 04-06-09, 03:58 PM
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what a dumb op.
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Old 04-06-09, 04:36 PM
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Originally Posted by makeinu
...with chain tugs on bonafide horizontal fork ends and
NOT using any chain oil?
I'm not talking about a neglected chain, but one with the oil cleaned off.

I've been riding this setup on a few different bikes for years now and am pretty confused why anyone would want to dirty their bike up with oil and risk stains, dirt attraction, additional maintenance, etc. I know most of you guys are riding conversions or making do with horizontal drops and I can understand why track racers would benefit from a little extra slipperyness on a clean indoor track, but in my experience a straight chainline with the tension dialed in just right runs smoothly and efficiently with or without oil.

The reason I'm posting is because I'm so satisfied running oil free that I won't even consider buying new bikes with derailleurs, springloaded tensioners, or dropouts for fear of losing the magic. This is a problem because I've got the new bike bug and my selection of bikes with horizontal fork ends is rather limited.

Am I alone?
Perhaps I should mention that I did dip my chains in hot wax after I cleaned off all the oil, but that was years ago and as far as I can tell there's no remaining residue.
are you talkin' forged horizontal drops? or true track fork ends? as for the oil thing? well thats just plain stupid, not you! Just the "oil thing"
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Old 04-06-09, 04:54 PM
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Originally Posted by ilikebikes
are you talkin' forged horizontal drops? or true track fork ends? as for the oil thing? well thats just plain stupid, not you! Just the "oil thing"
True bonafide proper track fork ends

Got 'em on all my serious bikes, I don't use oil, and my chains and gears do not wear excessively (or at least not more than can be corrected with a tug nut)

It's so good that I'm afraid to drop real dough on anything else (like I said, I don't want to lose the oil free magic)

Last edited by makeinu; 04-06-09 at 04:58 PM.
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Old 04-06-09, 04:58 PM
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Why do you think that metal-on-metal, without oil, is a good idea? It seems ludicrously stupid to me, but I was only an engineer for 20 years before becoming a teacher, what do I know?
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Old 04-06-09, 05:19 PM
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you realize that all new chains come with lubrication, right? Are you saying you never put on new chains? If not, then that just means you're running on the stock lubrication for awhile.

how about this -- buy a new chain, thoroughly degrease your chain with a strong degreaser to remove 100% of the stock lube, and install it. put some serious mileage on the chain and see how much you like it. I am willing to bet you'll either want to buy a new chain or want to lube it due to all the rust and squeaking.
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Old 04-06-09, 05:31 PM
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Oh, boy ... another troll.

The OP must like really pointy chainring teeth. ( refer to sheldon brown site if you dont get the reference. )
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Old 04-06-09, 06:59 PM
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Originally Posted by makeinu
True bonafide proper track fork ends

Got 'em on all my serious bikes, I don't use oil, and my chains and gears do not wear excessively (or at least not more than can be corrected with a tug nut)

It's so good that I'm afraid to drop real dough on anything else (like I said, I don't want to lose the oil free magic)

Why do I NOT believe you? BTW, you wouldn't have to correct the problem as often if you used..... O-I-L! Shhhhhhh! Not to loud! The secret might get out!
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Last edited by ilikebikes; 04-06-09 at 07:20 PM.
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Old 04-06-09, 07:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Galoot
Why do you think that metal-on-metal, without oil, is a good idea? It seems ludicrously stupid to me, but I was only an engineer for 20 years before becoming a teacher, what do I know?
Because it works, it's cheap, and it's clean. I'm currently an engineer and, let me tell you, only a fool uses a solution in search of a problem.

I'm not saying that frequent or occasional oiling is never necessary for metal-on-metal interfaces, but apparently a precisely tensioned bicycle chain does not require it. Do you oil the metal-on-metal interface of the security chain you use to lock up your bike? Don't argue with me. Argue with my bicycles and their chains.

Originally Posted by Geordi Laforge
you realize that all new chains come with lubrication, right? Are you saying you never put on new chains? If not, then that just means you're running on the stock lubrication for awhile.

how about this -- buy a new chain, thoroughly degrease your chain with a strong degreaser to remove 100% of the stock lube, and install it. put some serious mileage on the chain and see how much you like it. I am willing to bet you'll either want to buy a new chain or want to lube it due to all the rust and squeaking.
I'm saying I run my chains as clean as I can get them. I degrease them and whatever amount of lubrication remains I have found to be sufficient for efficient long lasting operation. No need to hate. I'm just asking if anyone else knows whether it works just as well with other setups or if there's something special about fully horizontal track ends with tug nuts.

If you're not running unoiled chains on track ends with tug nuts then your input is not requested or appreciated.

Originally Posted by ilikebikes
Why do I NOT believe you? BTW, you wouldn't have to correct the problem as often if you used..... O-I-L! Shhhhhhh! Not to loud! The secret might get out!
Gee, lets see, turn the tug nut a few times or spend more money and make a dirt attracting mess? Which is a better way to correct the problem?

Last edited by makeinu; 04-06-09 at 07:48 PM.
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Old 04-06-09, 07:58 PM
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Originally Posted by makeinu
Because it works, it's cheap, and it's clean. I'm currently an engineer and, let me tell you, only a fool uses a solution in search of a problem.

I'm not saying that frequent or occasional oiling is never necessary for metal-on-metal interfaces, but apparently a precisely tensioned bicycle chain does not require it. Do you oil the metal-on-metal interface of the security chain you use to lock up your bike? Don't argue with me. Argue with my bicycles and their chains.



I'm saying I run my chains as clean as I can get them. I degrease them and whatever amount of lubrication remains I have found to be sufficient for efficient long lasting operation. No need to hate. I'm just asking if anyone else knows whether it works just as well with other setups or if there's something special about fully horizontal track ends with tug nuts.

If you're not running unoiled chains on track ends with tug nuts then your input is not requested or appreciated.



Gee, lets see, turn the tug nut a few times or spend more money and make a dirt attracting mess? Which is a better way to correct the problem?

Your way is the right way, how could I have been so wrong!
Maybe instead of oil I should use "Troll Away!"
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Old 04-06-09, 08:04 PM
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Originally Posted by makeinu
True bonafide proper track fork ends

Got 'em on all my serious bikes, I don't use oil, and my chains and gears do not wear excessively (or at least not more than can be corrected with a tug nut)

It's so good that I'm afraid to drop real dough on anything else (like I said, I don't want to lose the oil free magic)



Hate to break it to you, that's not from a fork, forks don't have chain stays.
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Old 04-06-09, 08:07 PM
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^^^^^^ your joking? right? Antways, here https://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_dr-z.html just in case your not.
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Old 04-06-09, 08:17 PM
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Originally Posted by ilikebikes
^^^^^^ your joking? right? Antways, here https://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_dr-z.html just in case your not.
Learn something everyday.
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Old 04-06-09, 08:26 PM
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wtf?
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Old 04-06-09, 08:31 PM
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Originally Posted by makeinu
I'm currently an engineer
And I'm Barrack Obama.

Originally Posted by makeinu
I'm not saying that frequent or occasional oiling is never necessary for metal-on-metal interfaces, but apparently a precisely tensioned bicycle chain does not require it.
Explain how the tension in the chain causes a lack of need for oiling.

Originally Posted by makeinu
Do you oil the metal-on-metal interface of the security chain you use to lock up your bike?
Either you are a moron, or you are being a jackass.

Originally Posted by makeinu
efficient long lasting operation.
I'll oil my chain and let my chain, chainring, and cog last longer.

Originally Posted by makeinu
I'm just asking if anyone else knows whether it works just as well with other setups or if there's something special about fully horizontal track ends with tug nuts.
You are definitely not an engineer.

Gee, lets see, turn the tug nut a few times or spend more money and make a dirt attracting mess?[/QUOTE]
So you admit that not oiling your chain causes your drivetrain to wear out faster...
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Old 04-06-09, 08:42 PM
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Oil is bad.
T-9 Boeshield is good.
I am an engineer.
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Old 04-06-09, 08:52 PM
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Originally Posted by darksiderising
And I'm Barrack Obama.


Explain how the tension in the chain causes a lack of need for oiling.


Either you are a moron, or you are being a jackass.


I'll oil my chain and let my chain, chainring, and cog last longer.


You are definitely not an engineer.

Gee, lets see, turn the tug nut a few times or spend more money and make a dirt attracting mess?
I'm not here to prove to you that I don't need to oil my chain. That's a fact and if you want me to explain it to your little pea brain then you can start another thread asking about it (and make sure you say pretty please).

This thread is to seek out others that have observed the same lack of necessity of chain oiling and to inquire whether there are other configurations for which it works.

And stop trolling my thread, jackass, or I'll give you a wedgie with your tight little god damn hipster jeans.

Last edited by makeinu; 04-06-09 at 08:56 PM.
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Old 04-06-09, 09:00 PM
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Originally Posted by makeinu
I'm not here to prove to you that I don't need to oil my chain. That's a fact and if you want me to explain it to your little pea brain then you can start another thread asking about it (and make sure you say pretty please).
Really? It sure sounds like you ARE trying to convince us, and it's not working.

Originally Posted by makeinu
This thread is to seek out others that have observed the same lack of necessity of chain oiling and to inquire whether there are other configurations for which it works.
It looks like nobody else has observed this. Perhaps you are just wrong.

Originally Posted by makeinu
And stop trolling my thread, jackass, or I'll give you a wedgie with your tight little god damn hipster jeans.
I'm only sensing one troll, and that's you. It seems that you can't take it when other people tell you that you are wrong.

By the way, you are wrong.
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Old 04-06-09, 09:05 PM
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Originally Posted by darksiderising
Really? It sure sounds like you ARE trying to convince us, and it's not working.


It looks like nobody else has observed this. Perhaps you are just wrong.

I'm only sensing one troll, and that's you. It seems that you can't take it when other people tell you that you are wrong.

By the way, you are wrong.
Can't be wrong. The proof of the pudding is in the eating and my bikes speak for themselves. If you have a problem with that then take it up with my bikes, because there's nothing I can do about it.

Now, if you will kindly stop trolling for a fight then santa claus might leave you a real SS bike (instead of a dumb ass conversion with kludged up dropouts) so you can see what I'm talking about.

I swear, posting in this forum is like going back to kindergarden, but I have no other choice because this is verily a single speed issue.

Last edited by makeinu; 04-06-09 at 09:10 PM.
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Old 04-06-09, 09:11 PM
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perhaps you could post a picture of your bikes? I'm sure it would help, and I'd like to see your "perfect" setup.
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Old 04-06-09, 09:15 PM
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Originally Posted by makeinu
Can't be wrong. The proof of the pudding is in the eating and my bikes speak for themselves. If you have a problem with that then take it up with my bikes, because there's nothing I can do about it.

Now, if you will kindly stop trolling for a fight then santa claus might leave you a real SS bike (instead of a dumb ass conversion with kludged up dropouts) so you can see what I'm talking about.

I swear, posting in this forum is like going back to kindergarden, but I have no other choice because this is verily a single speed issue.
LOL. I wanted to truly believe that you weren't a troll, but I can't deny it anymore. Thanks for the entertainment.
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