Derk Drukker wrote:
> On Wed, 26 Mar 2003 08:49:50 +0100, Benjamin Lewis wrote:
>
>>>> So? That's why you oil your chain afterwards.
> NO, the oil won't be able to restore the lubrication and will wear out faster then if you would
> just wipe dirt off with a piece of cloth. Cleaning your chain with liquid degreaser will cause
> faster wear.
Wear is caused by fine dirt in the chain.
> Your chain will look nicer, but you'll have to replace it sooner.
My chain generally looks black, after I've been riding it for a while.
>> Again, so what? I have a brand spanking new "lubrication layer" of oil.
> It won't get inside the chain. It is pressed out, whilst the original grease won't be pressed out.
Then why doesn't my chain ever start to squeak until I ride in the rain?
>> My chain still runs smoothly over 600 km later (and possibly much further).
> I always used Campa C9 chains and did 6500 km with them, without using any cleaner. I just rubbed
> the dirt off with a piece of cloth.
I generally have to oil sooner than 6500 km, since I ride in the rain frequently. I prefer to clean
my chain before I oil it, so I don't get *more* dirt inside. 600 km is merely how far I've gone
without cleaning or oiling my chain at all, and it wasn't necessary even at that point. I wonder
what kept it going smoothly, when all the oil was pressed out? Perhaps this is only a problem with
one of these fancy bike-specific lubes.
>> Why would I want the "original lubrication" to still be there, probably filled with dirt causing
>> my chain to wear?
> Because independent lab results showed afterr taking many chains apart, that your statement is not
> correct.
Which statement is not correct? Which lab results? Where are they?
> Maybe you'll believe the Rohloff company.
Not without any evidence. I don't even want to know what they charge for their "amazing lube", which
I'm guessing is inferior to chainsaw bar oil.
> They say: "the inside of a chain, where dirt builds up, can't be cleaned anyway (in other words:
> you remove the oil, but the dirt stays inside). So don't use degreasers, but only use something
> that doesn't degrease for 100% like Diesel or petroleum". (from Rohloff tech info: chain
> maintenance). Rohloff says so, as does Campagnolo. If you think a shiny chain is more important
> then wear, you should clean it with degrease, but you'll only clean the outside, not the inside
> where it really matters.
I don't care about the outside. I clean by vigorous agitation in mineral spirits. The cycling
industry is notorious for making patently false claims, so "X company that sells bicycle chains says
so" is not enough to convince me of anything.
--
Benjamin Lewis
Amoebit: Amoeba/rabbit cross; it can multiply and divide at the same time.