How and why do they let this happen?

[xpc316e]

I walked past the bike rack at work this week and saw what used to be quite a nice Specialized tourer. It had an aluminium frame and reasonable equipment, but what was really remarkable was the chain. It was not actually a chain but a string of orange-coloured rusty plates of metal. The cassette and chainwheels were covered in an orange powder as the ex-chain had been slowly grinding itself into oblivion.

It had obviously never seen any lubrication since the day it was purchased, and I actually felt sorry that such a noble machine was being abused. Even the quickest of glances at the transmission would signal that something was wrong. Surely it had long ago given up any ability to change gear? How did the owner let this happen? The bike did not appear to be that old, and yet it was totally trashed.

Why would someone spend quite a sum of money on a bike and then wreck it? At least it was still being ridden, but for how much longer?

 

[Slowgrind]

Had it been stolen?

 

[potsy]

Speaking to a few fellow cyclists at work I'm amazed at how many of them only oil their chain every 3 months or so.Some shockingly bad bikes there many of which are the person's only means of transport too.
Takes what.2 mins to wipe and re-lube a chain-no excuse especially as we work in engineering where there is endless supplies of oil knocking about

 

[xpc316e]

Had it been stolen? If it was nicked, then the thief needs extensive professional psychiatric help - immediately!

 

[Keith Oates]

It never fails to amaze me how some people have no idea how to look after machinery whether it's bikes or other things. In the end they are the ones that end up out of pocket!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Muddyfox]

I walked past the bike rack at work this week and saw what used to be quite a nice Specialized tourer. It had an aluminium frame and reasonable equipment, but what was really remarkable was the chain. It was not actually a chain but a string of orange-coloured rusty plates of metal. The cassette and chainwheels were covered in an orange powder as the ex-chain had been slowly grinding itself into oblivion.

Sounds like one of those TV adverts where they want you to donate £3 a month by direct debit to save the abused Bicycles

But Seriously ... it does seem mad to spend all that money and then neglect the simple maintenance that will keep it running and giving good service for years ?

Simon

 

[longers]

I had to remind my dad to oil his chain, it was a similar shade of orange.
He's not a regular cyclist but due to his road being dug up was doing the 1 mile round trip for a few weeks by bike.

It was always him doing the maintenance nagging a few years ago.

 

[Vapin' Joe]

Only serious cyclists oil their chains (no Bonj jokes, please). Gauranteed that eveyone you see who is just a convenience cyclists will have chain and sprockets covered in a film of rust.

What always amazes me are the number of expensive motorcycles that get the same treatment.

 

[swee'pea99]

It's not just the functional and financial idiocy of it...it's the total lack of feel for machinery. It's like people who let tools rust, or use blunt kitchen knives. How can they be so oblivious? I cycle past squeaky bikes every day, and wince...

 

[661-Pete]

Time for my moment - I have discovered to my amazement and cost how quickly a chain can 'rust up' even when, as I thought, properly maintained, oiled every few days or so. Several consecutive days of extremely wet weather can do the job. The first torrential downpour you go out in effectively washes off all the oil you so carefully applied the day before, and the next few rain storms penetrate the linkage splendidly. The orange rust will spring into view a few days later.

Of course going out in snow is an even more sure-fire chain destroyer.

Constant care, that's what's needed.

 

[snakehips]

OK , OK , enough already , I feel like I am being got at.

Where's my can of 3-in-1 ?

Snake

My Library

 

[661-Pete]

OK , OK , enough already , I feel like I am being got at.

Easy! I hope you noticed my 's. The embarrassment was mine!

 

[tyred]

Some hold the opinion that lubricating a chain does it more harm than good.

 

[Arch]

I'll be swapping my winter bike for my summer one in a week or two (the current 'in use' one lives down in the lobby, the other up in the flat....)

I'll probably remember to lube the chain on the winter one then, before its rest. It's been on duty for about 6 months.

Haven't noticed any rust on it, TBH, despite daily riding through the cold snap and gritted slush.

I might wash it too. I'll give the incoming bike a going over of course, and probably remember to lube it more often, as it tends to do more leisure miles.

 

[swee'pea99]

Some hold the opinion that lubricating a chain does it more harm than good.

Do they? They must be imbeciles.