How to Lube Your Chain (2024)

FAQs

How to Lube Your Chain? ›

Lube your chain. Carefully place a small drop of lube on top of each roller in your chain. Make sure to aim the lube right into your rollers. Getting lube on the outside of the chain will just pick up more dirt.

Lube your chain. Carefully place a small drop of lube on top of each roller in your chain. Make sure to aim the lube right into your rollers. Getting lube on the outside of the chain will just pick up more dirt.

Give the chain a squirt of lube every 300km, and fully lubricate it after cleaning at the 1,000 to 1,500km mark. It's best to lube the chain after a ride, not before, because the lube will better penetrate the hot links. Spray lube on the inside run of the chain, not the outside where it will just fling off.

It also helps prevent corrosion and reduces friction and drivetrain wear. While an under-lubricated chain increases friction by enabling too much metal on metal contact, an over-lubricated chain will attract dirt and grit, which will increase friction and drivetrain wear as well.

When should you lube your bike chain? Normally every 100-150 miles or once a week if you are riding most days on pavement in dry conditions. If you are riding mostly in dry conditions on pavement, you probably don't need to clean your chain every time you lube it.

Dry lubes are for the driest conditions and cleanest chains. Wet lubes can be used all year, offer better value and have the greatest longevity. Whether wet or dry, it's often a question of how much time and effort you want to put in. Either way, make sure you use a lubricant — your chain will thank you for it!

No, it will rapidly cause the chain to gum up with dirt and abrasive bits that will rapidly wear the chain and chain rings. It will also wear off fairly rapidly leaving you with dry dirt and abrasive bits accelerating wear.

Only apply lube to a clean chain to maximize the lifespan of your chain and drivetrain. In a pinch adding lube to a dirty chain will still improve efficiency. But, it will also continue to accelerate wear by pushing contamination (dirt and grit) into the chain rollers.

Keeping Your Bike Chain Clean

If you use too much lube or heavy oil not made for bicycle chains, the drivetrain will turn into a black mess. Depending on how dirty it is, you should still be able to wipe the links clean, but you'll have to scrub harder and longer to cut through the crud.

So if you're not interested in cleaning or degreasing your drivetrain that often and ride super dry and dusty trails, then dry lube will be great for you. If you don't mind keeping your drivetrain nice and clean and ride in some variable weather conditions, then wet lube is your best friend.

Do you lube a chain hot or cold? ›

It's always best to lubricate after a ride so that your chain's still hot. Once you're home, you'll want to clean your chain first. Grab out your wheel roller or bike stand so that you can fully rotate your wheels while you work.

A good chain lube can smooth the chain's engagement with the cassette sprockets and chainrings, and maintain proper shifting performance. It also helps prevent corrosion and reduces friction and drivetrain wear.

Applying too much lubricant can be counterproductive. Excess lubricant can attract dust and dirt, forming a mixture that can wear the chain out faster. The key is moderation, so it is wise to apply the amount indicated in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. Myth 2: Any lubricant will do.

Check for adequate lubrication by listening for squeaks while riding. If you find either condition, your chain needs at least a spot-cleaning.

Is WD-40 good for bike chains—summary. In summary, WD-40 is great for cleaning and degreasing your chain, but doesn't work well as a lubricant. It will provide some small amount of lubrication, but nowhere near enough for your bike chain to run smoothly. It's best to use a high-quality, bike-specific lubricant instead.

So if you're not interested in cleaning or degreasing your drivetrain that often and ride super dry and dusty trails, then dry lube will be great for you. If you don't mind keeping your drivetrain nice and clean and ride in some variable weather conditions, then wet lube is your best friend.