Clean Chain?

[mjfc44]

Have been hearing my chain making some noise like it is dirty (roadbiker). So before I go to get some lube and cleaning stuff, I need to know how often it is recommended to clean and lube your chain?:) ! I think for me its been close to about 400 something miles since it has been clean, the brackets are pretty clean, however, I know its gathering some dirt. Just let me know!!

[Walrus]

Have been hearing my chain making some noise like it is dirty (roadbiker). So before I go to get some lube and cleaning stuff, I need to know how often it is recommended to clean and lube your chain?:) ! I think for me its been close to about 400 something miles since it has been clean, the brackets are pretty clean, however, I know its gathering some dirt. Just let me know!!
I don't think you can hurt your chain by cleaning it too often.

It depends on what weather it is subjected to as to how often you clean and lube it. In good conditions, my chain can go for 100's of kms without a clean. In these conditions, I clean and lube it every 500-800kms (350-450mls) or so. When it rains for a few days and the grit starts to build up and the grease washes away...I clean and lube it straight away... :)

[Steve_in_NH]

Might be a good idea to check it for stretch. The noise might be a bad mesh with the cogs. Probobly not but its a good idea to keep tabs on chain stretch before you end up needing cogs and rings as well.

[pm7771]

I'm pretty new at this too; dealer told me the waxed chain would be good a long time - it wasn't - it got noisy within a few hundred miles. I've used Finish Line Dry, and tried Pedros Extra Dry and 3-In-One oil. All are fine; just wipe your chain with cloth, run chain backwards thru a rag, periodically wash with detergent or better yet Simple Green, wipe & let dry then lube each roller one-by-one with a very small amt of lube - a full drop is probably too much - then wipe down. I like to ride the bike for very short 2 min spin & wipe chain again.

The lube that is doing its job is that which gets down into the rollers and the plates internally. But the lube on the outside is defeating the purpose & collecting dust dirt & sand; none of which you want.

After you get used to the quiet hum of a clean lubed chain you'll get in the habit of keeping it that way (at least that's my experience)

Peter

[Walrus]

The best way to lube the chain is to turn the pedals while the bike is on a rack or trainer and add tiny amounts of lube to the moving chain, then change gears and let it run through the cogs naturally. In no time, the cassette and chain will have a nice thin layer of lube.

[dhk]

Agree, one small drop per bushing, carefully applied, is the way to go. Takes 2 or 3 minutes to hit each bushing, but the results are worth the time. A 4 oz bottle of chainlube lasts many thousands of miles this way, and the chain stays much cleaner.

I mostly skip the cleaning with water and detergent though, as I haven't found it does anything for performance or chain life. I use the chain cleaner machine very rarely, only after a heavy rain ride, or when I want the chain to sparkle for a special event.

Disclaimer: Chain maintenance is about the most emotional and controversial equipment-issue I've found. Above is what I do, but if you have your own ritual that works, I'm not saying you should change a thing.