Chain Lube

Frank Krygowski said:

John Everett said:

Note, hot waxing isn't for everyone. You have to be a bit anal to
enjoy this ritual. ;-)

My hot waxing is done with the chain still on the bike. Low flame
propane torch, a "crayon" of wax/oil blend (about 5% oil), and a chunk
of sheet metal to protect the bike from the torch.

How do you make this oil/wax candle? What kind of oil, and wax?
Thanks.

Frank Krygowski said:

Paraffin wax with about 5% oil dissolved in it will NOT squeak after a
wet ride. It stays clean, and needs replacement only after several
hundred miles.

How long do your chains last? Other drivetrain parts?

Matt O.

"Benjamin Lewis" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Art M. said:

I bought a KMC "stretchproof" Z chain last year. (I looked at the guy in
my LBS incredulously as he recited the marketing ploy, but figured I
would support them with my $20) After 5000 road miles it has stretched
less than a 32nd of an inch. Is anyone else getting similar results? I
often go more than 2 weeks (4 rides/wk) without oiling. I've taken it

off

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

once to soak in solvent and then in multipurpose 3-in-one oil.

Does it have full bushings?

--
Benjamin Lewis

I regret to say that we of the FBI are powerless to act in cases of
oral-genital intimacy, unless it has in some way obstructed interstate
commerce. -- J. Edgar Hoover

No. Anyway, according to Sheldon Brown's article
http://sheldonbrown.com/chains.html bushingless lasts longer. It's an 8 spd
chain, inner plates blackish, outer shiny. Has a connector that looks
similar to SRAM's.

One important detail is that it's completely flat here. I don't have to
shift very often and I'm always in my big ring.

--Art

Werehatrack said:

On Mon, 07 Jun 2004 17:35:39 GMT, "Per Elmsäter"

may have said:

I have two theorys why the roadbike chain is always black. Possibly a
combination of them
1. It doesn't get clean enough since I clean it on the bike and the
wax doesn't get a chance to penetrate all the way down to the metal.
Instead it mixes out with what's left of the degreaser and stays
forever wet.

Likely, in my opinion.

Quoted message said:

2. Rubber dust from car tires and motor oil on the road splatters
all over my clean chain and just gunks it up faster than I can clean
it.

Unlikely in my opinion; if there was enough oil on the road to
contaminate your chain, it would show up on the downtube, tires, and
your back first...and tire dust is neither going to stick without an
agent to cause it to adhere, nor common enough to account for the
crud.

You and Matt are probably correct in pointing out number 1. I just cleaned
my DA chain by removing and putting in a bottle. When I was done it didn't
feel like it was really 100% clean. Like I could still wipe off black smudge
from the sideplates. When I had everything reassembled the dry lube I put on
came off as black when I wiped the chain dry.
I suppose I'm just being cheap on the degreaser, will try something stronger
next time. Probably the reason my MTB chain does get cleaner is because it
doesn't wear as much due to less mileage. Or possibly a difference between
SRAM PC69 and Shimano DA.

--
Perre

You have to be smarter than a robot to reply.

Per Elmsäter said:

You and Matt are probably correct in pointing out number 1. I just cleaned
my DA chain by removing and putting in a bottle. When I was done it didn't
feel like it was really 100% clean. Like I could still wipe off black smudge
from the sideplates. When I had everything reassembled the dry lube I put on
came off as black when I wiped the chain dry.
I suppose I'm just being cheap on the degreaser, will try something stronger
next time. Probably the reason my MTB chain does get cleaner is because it
doesn't wear as much due to less mileage. Or possibly a difference between
SRAM PC69 and Shimano DA.

--
Perre

You have to be smarter than a robot to reply.

Be careful with strong degreasers, I left my DA chain too long in the
bath and then it was really clean, but it became quite darker. The
degreaser I used is the Motorex Bike Clean, which is supposed to be used
on frame and other components too. Too bad...

John Everett <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

If you can get 2000 miles of quiet smooth shifting out of a chain by just
spraying it out and wiping it down you really have nothing to complain
about though.

If I were only getting 2000 miles of riding out of a chain I'd be
complaining bitterly! :-(

jeverett3<AT>earthlink<DOT>net http://home.earthlink.net/~jeverett3

Dam...I've been stretching PC48s over 1/16th per 12 inches in 1000 miles.
Maybe I'll try PC58s for a while...

dl

Dan Daniel said:

How do you make this oil/wax candle? What kind of oil, and wax?
Thanks.

I made it up years ago. I've done it twice, once with just motor oil,
the other with SAE 90 gear lube. (I forget which I'm using now, it's
been so long.) Both times, the remainder was just paraffin wax, as used
for canning jelly, etc. You can get it at a grocery store.

I just melted the wax in a disposable pan and stirred in a little oil,
then let it freeze. Occasionally I cut another chunk out to use as a
"crayon."

--
--------------------+
Frank Krygowski [To reply, remove rodent and vegetable dot com,
replace with cc.ysu dot edu]

Matt O'Toole said:

Frank Krygowski said:

Paraffin wax with about 5% oil dissolved in it will NOT squeak after a
wet ride. It stays clean, and needs replacement only after several
hundred miles.

How long do your chains last? Other drivetrain parts?

Honestly, I'd have to dig out detailed mileage records for an accurate
answer. I'd guess I replace chains maybe every other year, and smaller
cogs maybe every other chain. I typically ride 2500 miles per year,
most of it on two bikes.

In any case, the chain & cog life is plenty to satisfy me, and the lack
of grunge all over the bike and drive train is nice. It's far better
than when I used oil-based lubes.

--
--------------------+
Frank Krygowski [To reply, remove rodent and vegetable dot com,
replace with cc.ysu dot edu]

In article <tf%wc.17382$Sw.8362@attbi_s51>, "Larry" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Any comments on chain lube ? I use White Lighting and it turns black before
I even ride. (And Yes the chain is removed and steam cleaned) Can't anyone
make a lube that stays clean for a few days. I don't want to use motor oil.
Any other suggestions ?

Use motor oil.

Why don't you want to use it?

Tom Gibb <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

How utterly wasteful. Even my mountain bike chains last well over a year.

I only get 2000 miles out of a chain. that's about 2.5 chains a year.

--
Knight-Toolworks & Custom Planes
Custom made wooden planes at reasonable prices
See http://www.knight-toolworks.com For prices and ordering instructions.

brake cleaner works really well. just put the chain in a shallow bowl and spray
away three or 4 times it is clean and dry in a couple of minutes.

--
Knight-Toolworks & Custom Planes
Custom made wooden planes at reasonable prices
See http://www.knight-toolworks.com For prices and ordering instructions.

I use parrafin (candle wax). Stays clean and sheds water longer than ay
spray on lube I've used. Lasts as long as a goot coat of 3-in1 oil, and
doesn't get dirty. It does take a bit of effort to lube the
chaincorrectly so it gets between the links, however. simply dipping the
chain will not do it. You'll just coat the outside of the chain.

The "Tech-Tips" section of my website has a detailed explination of how
to correctly wax a chain. Follow the link in my signature if you'r
interested.

- -

"May you have the wind at your back.
And a really low gear for the hills!"

Chris Zacho ~ "Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"

Chris'Z Corner
http://www.geocities.com/czcorner

Steve Knight said:

Brake cleaner works really well. Just put the chain in a shallow
bowl and spray away three or 4 times it is clean and dry in a couple
of minutes.

It may be externally clean but if it is not immersed in liquid,
internal grit will not come out. Internal grit will only be moistened
and remain. I find that most cleaning descriptions focus on external
appearance and, I believe, therein lies the problem of rapidly wearing
chains.

Jobst Brandt
[email hidden]

On Wed, 9 Jun 2004 02:18:14 -0400, "Matt O'Toole" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Frank Krygowski said:

Paraffin wax with about 5% oil dissolved in it will NOT squeak after a
wet ride. It stays clean, and needs replacement only after several
hundred miles.

How long do your chains last? Other drivetrain parts?

http://groups.google.com/groups?q=+%22Workin%27+on+a+Chain+Gang%22+group:rec.bicycles.*&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&selm=7tka5vs3i3qmmr90nhrjit88da8a9m4fjv%404ax.com&rnum=1&filter=0

I know, I know; it's horribly long. I finally found a url on which
http://tinyurl.com/ fails.

jeverett3<AT>earthlink<DOT>net http://home.earthlink.net/~jeverett3

Jobst Brandt said:

Steve Knight said:

Brake cleaner works really well. Just put the chain in a shallow bowl
and spray away three or 4 times it is clean and dry in a couple of
minutes.

It may be externally clean but if it is not immersed in liquid, internal
grit will not come out. Internal grit will only be moistened and remain.
I find that most cleaning descriptions focus on external appearance and,
I believe, therein lies the problem of rapidly wearing chains.
Jobst Brandt [email hidden]

So true. You can sometimes feel the grit left behind when a chain is
sprayed clean.

A soaking and shaking in solvent will ALWAYS render considerable dirt.
And if you think that is clean, try hitting it with a soak in solvent
with ultrasonic agitation.

--

Quoted message said:

It may be externally clean but if it is not immersed in liquid,
internal grit will not come out. Internal grit will only be moistened
and remain. I find that most cleaning descriptions focus on external
appearance and, I believe, therein lies the problem of rapidly wearing
chains.

it is immersed that's why I use a bowl. the chain is really clean after 3 or 4
sprays. I shake it around to get all the gunk out. it's sure cleaner then the 15
minutes I used on the parts washer. I even tried a parts steam cleaner.

--
Knight-Toolworks & Custom Planes
Custom made wooden planes at reasonable prices
See http://www.knight-toolworks.com For prices and ordering instructions.

On Thu, 10 Jun 2004 22:52:03 -0400, [email hidden] (Chris Zacho "The

Wheelman') said:

I use parrafin (candle wax). Stays clean and sheds water longer than ay
spray on lube I've used. Lasts as long as a goot coat of 3-in1 oil, and
doesn't get dirty. It does take a bit of effort to lube the
chaincorrectly so it gets between the links, however. simply dipping the
chain will not do it. You'll just coat the outside of the chain.

looks like only a hour of rain? I have several lubes that do that. I found only
one that will give me 3 or 4 hours of rain (3 or 4 rides in the rain) I sure
would not have to rewax every day in the winter.

--
Knight-Toolworks & Custom Planes
Custom made wooden planes at reasonable prices
See http://www.knight-toolworks.com For prices and ordering instructions.

Weisse Luft said:

Jobst Brandt wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Steve Knight writes:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Brake cleaner works really well. Just put the chain in a

shallow bowl > > and spray away three or 4 times it is clean and
dry in a couple of > > minutes.

Quoted message said:

It may be externally clean but if it is not immersed in liquid,

internal > grit will not come out. Internal grit will only be
moistened and remain. > I find that most cleaning descriptions
focus on external appearance and, > I believe, therein lies the
problem of rapidly wearing chains. > Jobst Brandt
[email hidden]

Quoted message said:

So true. You can sometimes feel the grit left behind when a chain is
sprayed clean.

Quoted message said:

A soaking and shaking in solvent will ALWAYS render considerable dirt.
And if you think that is clean, try hitting it with a soak in solvent
with ultrasonic agitation.

The real test is if after cleaning, fresh fluid remains clear. Before I started
using a parts cleaner can, I would shake the chain in a jar with some strong
solvent. It took several fluid changes to come clean. I know the parts cleaner
works because I tried the old jar test afterward. No dirt. The parts cleaner
fluid works well, probably because it's designed to remove exactly the type of
oily crud that's on a bicycle chain.

Matt O.

Frank Krygowski said:

Werehatrack said:

-- No non-oil-based lube keeps the chain from getting noisy after a
wet ride, and most must be applied daly in order to do anything at
all.

Paraffin wax with about 5% oil dissolved in it will NOT squeak after a
wet ride. It stays clean, and needs replacement only after several
hundred miles.

==============================================

I use parafin too, but without the oil. It lasts
a full season. No signs of wear and tear over the
last ten years.

John Everett said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Paraffin wax with about 5% oil dissolved in it will NOT squeak
after a wet ride. It stays clean, and needs replacement only
after several hundred miles.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

How long do your chains last? Other drivetrain parts?

Quoted message said:

http://groups.google.com/groups?q=+%22Workin%27+on+a+Chain+Gang%22+group:rec.bicycles.*&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&selm=7tka5vs3i3qmmr90nhrjit88da8a9m4fjv%404ax.com&rnum=1&filter=0

Quoted message said:

I know, I know; it's horribly long. I finally found a url on which
http://tinyurl.com/ fails.

How about:

http://tinyurl.com/347jq

That's horribly short but the same thing.

Jobst Brandt
[email hidden]