grumpySteve wrote:
Over lubing a chain causes dirt and grit to stick and form a grinding compound. I know I'm right with this as I see it on a ...more
grumpySteve wrote:
Over lubing a chain causes dirt and grit to stick and form a grinding compound. I know I'm right with this as I see it on a daily basis. The correct way to lube a chain is to clean it thoroughly, cake it in lube, then wipe all of the excess off. There's absolutely no need to have any lube anywhere on the outside of a chain apart from to prevent corrosion
I ran the first run of Shadow Interlock for 5 years and lubed it monthly, cleaned it around every 2-3 months. Again, FIVE YEARS.
Currently on the second iteration of that chain, and I got it in 2012 or so. That would put us into the 4 year marker this year, and I lubed it monthly until 2013, when I stopped working at a shop where I could clean it easier. I've lubed it maybe 4-5 times since then, and it is still going well, and will likely clear that 5 year marker.
From personal experience, if you are lubing a chain around once a month, that lube is both cleaning and lubricating that chain. It goes on wet, which depending on the lube and method of putting it on the chain, can also clean some dirt and grit off. It's not as good as a thorough cleaning, drying and relubing, BUT that's why you can get that dark, gritty fluid coming off the drivetrain.
I used the drip method from a Finish Line Dry lube bottle, and even that can get some gunk off there. But the aerosol can style will get more off too. Also riding while it is a little wet can work some dirt and grit off too.
I'm glad your experience has worked for you so well, BUT a HUGE factor in that is what a person rides, how they ride, and the climate they are in. People in Arizona would typically use ONLY dry lube (alcohol based, dries quick) or a wax based lube, and should steer clear of the Wet style lubes that go on like a gel and stay wet for a lot longer-it would attract dust and dirt, acting as sandpaper in the rollers, (which would be a good choice in very wet, muddy climates like the upper Northwest of the US-Washington State-where it is rainy a lot). But also frequency and where you ride are big factors. Street rides can clean/lube a lot less often than dirt riders. People down by Florida where it is humid should be using a thicker lube regardless, as the humidity can DESTROY a bike in a season with corrosion.
"Hey anybody ever make that mistake like right when you wake up in the morning and you believe in yourself?" -Kyle Kinane
"BIKES!" -Tom Segura
