What should I be lubing?

[SouthernBelle]

You take off your chain? That's extreme overkill. I suppose if you have a single speed and no derailleurs it would be easy enough.

Most of us never remove our chains except to put a new one on.

[Melalvai]

Isn't that a personal question?
Get your bike up on a stand and watch the derailleurs as you shift through the gears. You will see the pivot points easily.

I agree, removing your chain and scrubbing it frequently may not be good for the chain. Put it in a high gear, turn the pedals with one hand, and hold a rag with the other hand around the chain, and let the chain run through the rag. Lube it, let it sit a few minutes to let the lube work into the chain and the alcohol or water component evaporate, then wipe off excess lube the same way. Sometimes the new lube will bring out more dirt or even rust, which never seems to go away, and then I might lube it a 2nd or even 3rd time.

[Veronica]

Most of us never remove our chains except to put a new one on.

Really - I take my chain off probably every 4 - 6 weeks, about every 500 miles, to clean it and my pulleys.

I like to throw the chain into an old yogurt container with some citrus cleaner and water. Shake it up and then let it sit while I take off the pulleys and clean them. By the time I'm done with the pulleys, the chain is clean and I didn't have to scrub at it.

V.