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newb alert, what parts aside from the chain should I be lubricating?

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newb alert, what parts aside from the chain should I be lubricating?

Old 06-08-09, 12:49 PM
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newb alert, what parts aside from the chain should I be lubricating?

Yeah yeah I know I don't deserve to be riding a fixie or a bike if I don't know what parts I should be lubricating. blah blah blah.

If you can look past this, my question is: Aside from the chain what parts of the fixie do I really need to lubricate? Do I really need to be lubricating anything else? And while we're on the topic of lube, I have finishline wet lube for the chain and tri flow for the rest of the bike. I live in NY where the summers are hot and humid, if that helps.
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Old 06-08-09, 12:54 PM
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there's nothing else i can think of that you really need to LUBE. if your headset, hubs and/or bottom bracket are not sealed, you should repack them every so often. other than that there isn't much in the way of lubricating maintenance.

p.s. it's better (but more time consuming) to clean the chain before you lubricate it. otherwise the grit just keeps building up.
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Old 06-08-09, 12:56 PM
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yeah I've been the cleaning the chain before every lubing.
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Old 06-08-09, 01:00 PM
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Proper chain maintenance is really important.

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/chainclean.html

Your life hangs in the balance.
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Old 06-08-09, 01:50 PM
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A little grease on the seat post.
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Old 06-08-09, 02:03 PM
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for the love of BikeSnob, please take your effing chain off when you clean it.

and things that should have a drop of chain lube on them beyond the chain:
clipless pedal cleat springs (not the engagement platform though)
brake pivot (if you are still brave enough to use one)
carabiner pivot (on standard issue keychain)
buckle on Chrome bag

most everything else is greased, unless sealed. But there is some debate as to repacking sealed bearings as well.
Greased things:
bottom bracket
pedals (the inside portion)
hub bearings
headset
most threads (up for debate, but worthy reading topic)
stem (threaded)
seat post

most anytime that metal contacts metal, it may require grease/anti-sieze. (that should be non-specific enough to cover my ass)
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Old 06-08-09, 02:32 PM
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I am proud (?) that somehow no one made a sex joke.

BTW, do those Park chain cleaners suck or something?
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Old 06-08-09, 02:34 PM
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Originally Posted by devilshaircut
I am proud (?) that somehow no one made a sex joke.
i'm pretty sure someone said you had to grease your seat post....
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Old 06-08-09, 02:37 PM
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Brake cable/housing if you use a brake
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Old 06-08-09, 03:23 PM
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You want to grease pretty much everything that is ajoining, except the spindles of the BB: all threads (especially cog+lockring), seatpost, etc...
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Old 06-08-09, 10:19 PM
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Originally Posted by nerdbot5000
You want to grease pretty much everything that is ajoining, except the spindles of the BB: all threads (especially cog+lockring), seatpost, etc...
people have different opinions on this, but i say grease the spindles.
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Old 06-08-09, 10:24 PM
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Can I ride my fixed gear in the rain? I don't have any lube for the chain. Just a tube a of grease around.

Is one ride in the chain without getting re lubed going to damage the chain a lot?
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Old 06-08-09, 10:44 PM
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Originally Posted by akkando
Can I ride my fixed gear in the rain? I don't have any lube for the chain. Just a tube a of grease around.

Is one ride in the chain without getting re lubed going to damage the chain a lot?
It isn't an engine and the chain ain't gonna have overheat and burn-out. Probably damage is quite insignificant. But it takes very little time to relube. So why not. Besides, chain's gonna be quieter.

Go ask your LBS which lube you want to use. Wax is nice but it wash off in rain. Wet is stay on in rain, but attract dust like sticky glue and sticks to your skirts like tar.

T
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Old 06-09-09, 09:24 AM
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Originally Posted by devilshaircut
BTW, do those Park chain cleaners suck or something?
no. i love mine. it works so much better than a toothbrush and a bucket. and you don't need to take the chain off to use it. it's designed to be used on the bike.
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Old 06-09-09, 09:31 AM
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I applied some tri flow around the crankset, is that ok? It's actually the part or handle (I don't know what it's called) that sticks out of the crankset that is attached to the pedals. someone help me out as to what that is called.

Also, should I bother purchasing grease?

Oh and I also use Pedro's bio cleaner to clean off the chain before lubing, is that sufficient or should I be using a different kind of cleaner?
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Old 06-09-09, 10:21 AM
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Old 06-09-09, 10:35 AM
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Originally Posted by whitekimchee
I applied some tri flow around the crankset, is that ok? It's actually the part or handle (I don't know what it's called) that sticks out of the crankset that is attached to the pedals. someone help me out as to what that is called.
crankarm
https://casanovasadventures.com/catalog/bike/p2016.htm
save that link

Originally Posted by whitekimchee
Also, should I bother purchasing grease?
do you perform a lot of bike maintenance on your own? If so, then yes you should.

Originally Posted by whitekimchee
Oh and I also use Pedro's bio cleaner to clean off the chain before lubing, is that sufficient or should I be using a different kind of cleaner?
that is fine
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Old 06-09-09, 11:19 AM
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hey pitboss that was very helpful. good looks.
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Old 06-09-09, 12:56 PM
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Originally Posted by wearyourtruth
no. i love mine. it works so much better than a toothbrush and a bucket. and you don't need to take the chain off to use it. it's designed to be used on the bike.
That's what I'd been told locally as well. But everyone I know online seems to be against cleaning your chain without taking it off and soaking it, etc.
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Old 06-09-09, 02:25 PM
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no, that was not what I said at all. For freewheel-based bikes, you can leave the chain on and use a chain cleaner.

most track chains have a quick link you can disassemble and remove for better cleaning. and safer cleaning. do a search in here and the internet. trust me
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Old 06-09-09, 02:30 PM
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Originally Posted by pitboss
most track chains have a quick link you can disassemble and remove for better cleaning. and safer cleaning. do a search in here and the internet. trust me
do NOT re-use kmc's quick links. do NOT NOT NOT.
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Old 06-09-09, 02:33 PM
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If you remove those cheap masterlinks, be sure to have a replacement. They are designed to be single-use only. Sure, you might be fine (and plenty of riders are), but why risk it? A card of KMC MissingLinks is rather inexpensive. Just be sure to purchase the correct size.

165: grease tapers or no?
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Old 06-09-09, 02:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Geordi Laforge
If you remove those cheap masterlinks...you might be fine (and plenty of riders are), but why risk it?
exactamundo. i broke four ribs off a snapped chain with a re-used quick link. and i can testify (let me hear you say TESTIFY!) that it was a bad 'life decision'. you know?

Originally Posted by Geordi Laforge
165: grease tapers or no?
no. and make sure your dustcaps are on, too.
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Old 06-09-09, 02:49 PM
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Well assuming I am careful with my fingers when working on my drivetrain (I always take special care when doing this.) is there any reason to take the chain off the bike rather than use a chain cleaner? On a fixed gear.
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Old 06-09-09, 02:52 PM
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easier to degrease/clean when the chain is off, but if you clean/lube it regularly, there is no need to take the chain off as the grime and grit wouldnt be as bad.
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