The chain lubrication maintenance method formerly known as The Mickle Method.

[Ming the Merciless]

eem to get reasonable chain life

I got 9,500km out of my last chain, which seems reasonable

 

[Marchrider]

I got 9,500km out of my last chain, which seems reasonable

I get no where near that, 2000 mile on averae, (7 speed) may be closer to 3000 on YBN and less than 1500 on KMC (does the C stand for cheese) (this is taking chains out to 1.5% in stages)
impossible to make comparisons between different riders, type of dirt dust picked up, how hilly, how much power rider is putting in

 

[wafter]

Wiping a chain with a rag only removes the grit from the outer surfaces where it does no harm anyway, it doesn't remove it from the capillaries where it's trapped, and that's what's wearing the chain. The same applies to cleaning bikes in general, most of what you're removing is the stuff that's not trapped between moving parts, and not doing any harm.

I'd argue there's merit to keeping the exterior of the chain clean; since realistically the only way abrasive particles can get between the load-bearing surfaces inside the chain is by getting trapped in the oil on the outside of the chain and drawn in via capilliary action... so it makes sense to minimise the amount of oil present outside the links for the grit to stick to.

Of course I don't lower myself to using oil on my chain, but if I did I think I'd be following this method. I'd probably use oil if the operating environment could be kept clean - I suspect chains that run inside fully enclosed chain cases probably last forever..

 

[Ajax Bay]

Of course I don't lower myself to using oil on my chain

Well played for not using the three letter word!

 

[wafter]

Well played for not using the three letter word!

Thanks - the amount of discipline required was non-trivial

 

[Marchrider]

- I suspect chains that run inside fully enclosed chain cases probably last forever..

probably - lets try and make some mad comparisons

a chain that we used to use to drive the cam on a car would be fully enclosed and be very well lubed and it would possibly last about 100,000 miles, and I would guess a similar amount of energy would be transmitted through that as a cyclist puts through his, or indeed her chain

100,000 miles averaging 30 mph = 3333 hours, average rpm 2000?
3333 * 2000 * 60 / 2 = 200 million spins

a bike 58 gear inches pedalling 3/4 of the time = 812 spins per mile

200,000,000 / 812 = 250,000 miles

chains were often double chains so may be just 125,000 miles ? but then again, they're about half the length so back to quarter of a million miles


my apologies for the completely mad pointless wild guesstimate

 

[wafter]

probably - lets try and make some mad comparisons

a chain that we used to use to drive the cam on a car would be fully enclosed and be very well lubed and it would possibly last about 100,000 miles, and I would guess a similar amount of energy would be transmitted through that as a cyclist puts through his, or indeed her chain

100,000 miles averaging 30 mph = 3333 hours, average rpm 2000?
3333 * 2000 * 60 / 2 = 200 million spins

a bike 58 gear inches pedalling 3/4 of the time = 812 spins per mile

200,000,000 / 812 = 250,000 miles

chains were often double chains so may be just 125,000 miles ? but then again, they're about half the length so back to quarter of a million miles


my apologies for the completely mad pointless wild guesstimate

I suspect there might be more bearing area and less force transmitted in a timing chain; equally I'd expect something running in a clean oil bath to effectively last forever as you suggest

We could reverse the analogy - I wonder how long an engine would last if you ran the car without a bonnet or cam cover

 

[jetman777]

Hot chain wax is a game changer. you eliminate all of the problems associated with chain lubes. Silica chain secret.