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New chain. What do you do?
So, I've just fitted a whole new drive chain (cassette, chain, crankset) and naturally, I want to keep it new for as long as possible. My question is, what does everyone do with a new chain? Keep the sticky factory grease and add your own lube, degrease it and re-oil with your own stuff or you have some other tip?
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The factory stuff and heavier and better but must be applied to the chain before assembled.
Just give it a wipe to get the dirt off after riding. When the factory stuff is gone degrease and re-lube.
More info from Shimano here- http://www.bikerumor.com/2011/06/28/chainwear-ch...
I clean mine completely with white spirit and dry with compressed air then use Squirt wax lube. Looks brand new after 2 years.
I thought they were a bit of a wank, until I won one. They are awesome. I use it all the time. PS it's a Juice Lube Product, not what you were thinking.
Great article - i would have to agree - the stuff that comes on the chain is really good and very quiet.
Drivetrain is never as quiet after the first degrease.
I just dampen a rag with a little "solvent" and run the chain through to take of the sticky coating on the outside, leaving the factory grease in place.
For the more chain obsessive amongst us you could try the following.
Get two new chains - leave grease on, when grease has worn off replace it with the other chain. (time/distance will depend on usage, weather, soil, other conditions)
Take the replaced chain and soak in thin degreaser for a day.
Remove hang up and and let dry (give it a blow job to dry it if want to. err air pressure wise that is!).
When dry place in container so it is completely covered by your favourite chain oil, I prefer a teflon wax formula.
Leave soaking in lube for a couple of days, sealed dish is better.
Hang up chain so excess lube can run off into the dish chain soaked in, takes a day
When other chain has worn off the original grease change chains, wipe any excess oil off the chain when on bike.
Repeat process on replaced chain.
After every ride clean chain with dry rag (or brush).
Hold chain in rag backpedal so chain joining link passes rag at least 5 times.
Put same chain lube on inside of chain and on each side plate (backpeddle and let lube run onto on each side plate).
Backpeddle fast to work lube through chain (moves from inside to outside as you backpeddle) (hold chain between finger and thumb on rollers, if lubed properly should have lube on finger and thumb - if only lube on one, backpedal a bit more.
Wipe excess off with another rag by backpedling.
Every so often remove chain rings, cassette, derailleur star wheels clean and replace and fit other chain. (maybe clean derailleur star wheels more frequently)
Yeah I know obsessive - but chains and sprockets last a lot lot lot longer
If you really want to get obsessive (!) use motorcycle chain grease to soak chain in -heat it up till its runny (not boiling and not on fire!!!) Hang chain up and let grease run off and wipe off excess.
Have fun
i must have same condition as u ..
i run 2 chains , every ride i swap them over , clean / degrease / re-oil n soak.
Ha! I run 3.
But i don't change every ride unless it was wet conditions. And i just use Squirt lube. Seems pretty good.
As for the original grease yes i leave that on until the chain needs cleaning.
There are four ways to put the chain on (on the bike that is - this is a family friendly site!), when you cycle through the four ways it can run then you know you are obsessive