By Victor Jimenez
Follow these simple steps to keep your chain looking like new.
Squeak squeak squeak. Ahh, the sounds of spring.
That sound might not be coming from the birds in their spring frolic but from your chain. It’s saying, “Please take care of me.”
There are several basic things that all cyclists need to do to care for their bikes. At the top of that list is caring for your chain, keeping it maintained and relatively clean. When you ride your bike the chain is like a magnet to dust and dirt kicked up from the road.
A clean chain will last longer
Too much lube on your chain is nearly as bad as too little. With the proper amount of lube and a clean chain you will have much less wear, better shifting performance, and a very quiet bike.
When to clean the chain
You should clean and lube your chain anytime it looks dirty. Bicycle chain lubricant applications will vary greatly depending on rain, dirt on the road, and other factors. Generally, you will need to apply lube every 100-150 miles.
Cleaning a chain doesn’t have to be messy
When most people think of cleaning a greasy chain they think that they will have to get covered with grease and need all kinds of special cleaners and gadgets. There are many chain-cleaning gadgets and potions available, but all you need is a few rags, a high-quality chain lube, and five minutes and you can keep your chain in tip-top shape.
Just follow these directions to keep your chain is top condition.
When dealing with lubricants, even plant-based ones, it is important to wear rubber gloves because the chemicals can be bad for your skin and some can even get absorbed through your skin.
Use a high-quality lubricant specially formulated for bicycles. There are many on the market, so test several brands and see which you prefer.
Carefully apply the lubricant to the chain. It is important to avoid getting lube on other parts of the bike. The lube should go into the top of the chain, not the side.
Grab the chain with a rag and wipe off until clean. You may have to go around several times to get the chain clean. (Most lubricants also act as a degreaser.)
Continue wiping the chain until it looks almost dry. Don’t worry; there is still ample lubricant on the inside of the chain where you need it. If you leave too much lube on the outside of the chain it will just pick up dirt.
Just do these simple steps about every 100 miles or after you get stuck out in the rain. The whole process takes about five minutes and then you really can listen to the birds on your ride because your bike will be nice and quiet.
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Victor Jimenez is the owner and professional bicycle fitter at bicyclelab.com. Bicycle Lab is a small boutique studio that specializes in bicycle fitting, custom bicycles, and education. Victor teaches clinics and classes to individuals, coaches, and teams on bicycle fit and the technical aspects of cycling and is co-host of the http://cycling360media.com podcast. He can be reached at http://Bicyclelab.com, http://Facebook.com/bicyclelab, or victor@bicyclelab.com.
