newbie tat's...

[archibella]

I've read some of the postings on chain cleaning, and have undertaken it twice (although I didn't remove the chain). But both times, within the first ride, my chain was black and juicy again! Hence the nice chain tatoos I always seem to end up with. I wasn't sure how much lubricant to put on the chain after cleaning, so I'm thinking I overdid it... lol. My question is how do I tell how much to put on?

Thanks-

[alison_in_oh]

I've read some of the postings on chain cleaning, and have undertaken it twice (although I didn't remove the chain). But both times, within the first ride, my chain was black and juicy again! Hence the nice chain tatoos I always seem to end up with. I wasn't sure how much lubricant to put on the chain after cleaning, so I'm thinking I overdid it... lol. My question is how do I tell how much to put on?

Thanks-

What kind of lube do you use? I was overdoing the Tri-Flow so my husband told me to use about a one-second spray while spinning the cranks fast backward. Then wipe it off really, really well.

Also practice getting on and off the bike such that you don't hit the chainring. Easier said than done, I know, considering I'm still getting the biggest sharkbites you ever did see! But when I think about it I invariably avoid the mark. So I'm trying to think more.

[Grog]

Little! And only on the chain (not on the cogs etc.). At least that's what my mechanics' prof said.

Basically: after cleaning the chain, rinsing with water and patting dry (at that point there still are some black marks on my rag so I guess I'd have to take it out to clean it really thoroughly), then a very thin trickle of oil on the whole chain, then spin the pedals (with your hand) for say 20 turns. Let dry and wipe the next morning. In my case the bike stays in my appartment (no garage) so I wipe it before I take it back inside (I clean it on the balcony).

In any case my chain still gets darker on the next ride (especially if I ride on dirt or non-asphalt surface) and I get chainring marks anyways. But it's still better than it was before I learned how to clean it!!!

[archibella]

I used pedro's extra dry lubricant- But now I realize I forgot to wipe the next morning. My bike stays in my apartment too , but I use the basement or the front yard to clean, lol. I just look at some of my friends' chains and they look so clean...

In fact, here's an embarrassing story-- I took my bike in to get the derailleur adjusted, and I had to ask the mechanic if I put enough lube on, lol. In response, he lifts his hands to show me all the black marks He did say better too much than too little though...

thanks

[bikerchick68]

archibella... in addition to this, I wipe my chain down after every single ride... I don't clean it every time, but I do take a rag and hold the chain lightly while spinning the cranks... it helps! Also when cleaning chain, don't forget to wipe off the chainrings and cogset...

my brother crashed mtb'ing and has a permanent chainring scar in his right leg... the epitome of a rookie mark! LOL

[runnergirl]

I drip 10 or so drops of tri-flow on a shop rag, grip the chain with the rag, and run it through a few times. This gets the chain clean and lubed at the same time. About once a month I use the park chain bath tool and really get it clean, and then relube the same way. Haven't had a chain tattoo since I started doing it that way. My pedals are another story---they give me real tattoos from their sharp edges.

[madisongrrl]

Rock-n-roll extreme is used by Cronometro & T-9 Boesheild is used by Bikesport. These are two premium bike shops that I hold in very high regard.

http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/
http://www.cronometro.com/

I usually use prolink or rock-n-roll extreme

[Sleek]

My mechanic suggested wiping the chain down with degreaser on a rag after oiling. This sounds logical to me, since the area that needs lubricant isn't the outside of the chain, it's the inside where the metal touches the metal. You get a lot less dirt attracted to the outer surfaces this way, and the chain stays cleaner way longer.