Lubrication

[mickle]

3 in 1 is a spindle oil, used for factory shutdown in textile mills, to keep the machinery from rusting. Rust will stain fabric, spindle oil will not. It has long been marketed as a bike chain oil. I'm going to give it a try, I've used it in the past, but also like chainsaw oil and paraffin wax.

Terrible stuff.

 

[mickle]

All this talk of mickle method... (it's not really 'mine' BTW, it was around long before me - I just got tagged as this method's most vocal advocate). If you lot could see the chain on my daily you'd be farking horrified!

 

[Truth]

All this talk of mickle method... (it's not really 'mine' BTW, it was around long before me - I just got tagged as this method's most vocal advocate). If you lot could see the chain on my daily you'd be farking horrified!

Brilliant!

 

[runner]

Just had to google "how to use a chain checker"!

View: http://youtu.be/yQ3oCSVK1IQ

Is this pretty much it?

This has been a useful thread, thanks

I am lucky that i live within 200 yards of my LBS so i always make time to call in and have my chain checked...its one thing to have a new chain but if you forget then a new set of cogs needs added to the bill.....having seen the video (very useful thanks) I will look to buying a chain checker..

 

[Smurfy]

White Lightning Clean Ride saves a lot of mess and works well all year round. To avoid joining the list of people who say it doesn't work, make sure you thoroughly clean, degrease and dry your chain before applying, as it won't properly attach to the chain unless you do this. My favourite cleaning method is white spirit.

For the ultimate in low maintenance, belt drive and hub gears is unbeatable.
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/revolution-shadow-13
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/revolution-shadow-14

 

[Truth]

GT85 + rag to clean and finishline Teflon or ceramic to lube, once a week all weathers.

Just a quick update really. Been using the Mickle Method ,with the GT85 on the rag, and she is running as smooth as she was the day after she was serviced, 400 miles later
For any beginner that is useless with maintenance this thread is priceless, could save a lot of money in the long run.
Have a good weekend all

 

[Kumquat]

Quick (and stupid) question, do I need a cleaning solvent (like GT85, WD40) to clean my chain before I lube it, or can I just give it a wipe with a plain rag and then lube it?
I've read the "mickle method" which only mentions lube and a rag, but a lot of people on here seem to be using something before the lube so...??
I have bought (but not yet used) some chain lube, I can get GT-85 from sainsburys if I need it.

General consensus seem to be to do this once a week, but is it ok to do it a bit less often, like 2-3 times a month? Only I know I'll probably forget a few times! and I'm only cycling roughly 30 miles a week anyway

 

[young Ed]

Quick (and stupid) question, do I need a cleaning solvent (like GT85, WD40) to clean my chain before I lube it, or can I just give it a wipe with a plain rag and then lube it?
I've read the "mickle method" which only mentions lube and a rag, but a lot of people on here seem to be using something before the lube so...??
I have bought (but not yet used) some chain lube, I can get GT-85 from sainsburys if I need it.

General consensus seem to be to do this once a week, but is it ok to do it a bit less often, like 2-3 times a month? Only I know I'll probably forget a few times! and I'm only cycling roughly 30 miles a week anyway

not a stupid question at all!
personally WD40 wouldn't go near my chain as it isn't oil but a synthetic load of stuff and not oil. this means it just gunks the chain up and all gummy and shoot. not sure about gt85.
personally i never clean the chain with anything but just just have the bike up in the work stand and hold the chain with a clean section of rag and spin the pedals and just keep changing places in the rag so you always use a fresh clean bit. then drop oil/lube on to chain (only a few drops) and whipe again with fresh rag and spinning pedals.
repeat
yes, i would say 30 miles a week a week is enough to make once a week worth it, 3 times a month minimum. make it into a habit and routine to always do it friday evening or saturday morning or what ever. remember the more often you do it the less time it will take each time and the longer the chain will last.
Cheers Ed

 

[Citius]

not a stupid question at all!
personally WD40 wouldn't go near my chain as it isn't oil but a synthetic load of stuff and not oil. this means it just gunks the chain up and all gummy and shoot. not sure about gt85.

Not sure where you dreamt that up, but it's complete nonsense. WD40 contains a mineral oil - you only need to read the label or the product sheet to know that. It contains a mineral oil - so by definition, it is a lubricant. Ditto GT85. While neither is particularly good as a chainlube, neither will 'gunk the chain up'. If anything, it will allow it run cleaner, because there won't be much lube on there.

Either way, it's always better to post with a bit of knowledge.

 

[Kumquat]

not a stupid question at all!
personally WD40 wouldn't go near my chain as it isn't oil but a synthetic load of stuff and not oil. this means it just gunks the chain up and all gummy and shoot. not sure about gt85.
personally i never clean the chain with anything but just just have the bike up in the work stand and hold the chain with a clean section of rag and spin the pedals and just keep changing places in the rag so you always use a fresh clean bit. then drop oil/lube on to chain (only a few drops) and whipe again with fresh rag and spinning pedals.
repeat
yes, i would say 30 miles a week a week is enough to make once a week worth it, 3 times a month minimum. make it into a habit and routine to always do it friday evening or saturday morning or what ever. remember the more often you do it the less time it will take each time and the longer the chain will last.
Cheers Ed

Cheers, I'll give that a go and see how I get on.

 

[young Ed]

Not sure where you dreamt that up, but it's complete nonsense. WD40 contains a mineral oil - you only need to read the label or the product sheet to know that. It contains a mineral oil - so by definition, it is a lubricant. Ditto GT85. While neither is particularly good as a chainlube, neither will 'gunk the chain up'. If anything, it will allow it run cleaner, because there won't be much lube on there.

Either way, it's always better to post with a bit of knowledge.

well i was pretty damn certain that was the case and everyone i have spoken to seem to be under the same illusion then
Cheers Ed

 

[Pale Rider]

No WD40 - or WD sticky as I call it - on the bike for me.

 

[subaqua]

not a stupid question at all!
personally WD40 wouldn't go near my chain as it isn't oil but a synthetic load of stuff and not oil. this means it just gunks the chain up and all gummy and shoot. not sure about gt85.
personally i never clean the chain with anything but just just have the bike up in the work stand and hold the chain with a clean section of rag and spin the pedals and just keep changing places in the rag so you always use a fresh clean bit. then drop oil/lube on to chain (only a few drops) and whipe again with fresh rag and spinning pedals.
repeat
yes, i would say 30 miles a week a week is enough to make once a week worth it, 3 times a month minimum. make it into a habit and routine to always do it friday evening or saturday morning or what ever. remember the more often you do it the less time it will take each time and the longer the chain will last.
Cheers Ed

sooooo then , nothing but raw crude then if you don't want anything synthetic on your chain ......... I oil the chain up good and wet then use a cloth to clean all the excess off then a few drops . the mickle maybe method if you like. it clears the crud off the chain and i do like a quiet bike. the B&Q chainsaw oil is working well still

 

[Citius]

well i was pretty damn certain that was the case and everyone i have spoken to seem to be under the same illusion then
Cheers Ed

Perhaps you - and everyone who agrees with you - should try reading the product info then. It would put you all straight.

 

[young Ed]

Perhaps you - and everyone who agrees with you - should read the product info then. It would put you all straight.

i'm sure it all came out a while ago what was really in WD40, although i am always happy to stand corrected.
i shall have a look next time a see a can of real WD40 (we don't use any of it round here, either used specialised oils for each task or sometime have a can of cheap copy stuff about)
Cheers Ed