How to lubricate a bicycle chain?

The bike chain is an important part of your bike and needs regular maintenance. Not only the convenience of vehicle operation, but also the safety of the cyclist depends on its technical condition. Therefore, the question of the right choice of chain care products is relevant and worries many.

The bicycle chain requires constant cleaning and timely lubrication. If these procedures are neglected, then over time it will begin to emit unpleasant creaks or chirp. In addition, it is very difficult to adjust the rear derailleur without lubrication. The lubricated chain prevents sand and dirt from penetrating the joints and working like an abrasive, while in the dry chain, the pins are quickly boring out, leading to lengthening of the chain.

The stretched chain, in turn, entails damage to the cassette teeth and chainrings. This leads to an increase in noise and a decrease in efficiency, due to which the cyclist is forced to spend much more effort to maintain the desired vehicle speed.

Mountain and touring bike chains that are used in off-road conditions are especially in need of lubrication. Fans of cycling and extreme sports are forced to devote a lot of time to the condition of the chain, while owners of city bikes, moving exclusively on tiles or asphalt, do not have to worry too much about the condition of the chains and lubricate them several times a season. However, this relaxation is only allowed if the bike is not used in rainy weather and is stored in a dry room.

The classification of bicycle chain lubricants is based on such characteristics as the form of production, conditions of use and chemical composition. According to the first criterion, there are 3 types of lubricants.

• Liquid lubricants very easy to apply and resemble machine oil in their consistency. The formulations are sold in convenient small-volume bottles and are equipped with a dropper.
• Spray lubricant It is also easy to use and is represented by an oily substance sprayed onto the chain links in the form of an aerosol. This form of release is optimal for application in the field, which is why it can often be found in a bicycle first aid kit. However, many bikers prefer to use other lubricants at home, as when applied to the chain, most of the oil is sprayed into nowhere.
• Thick greases in most cases they serve as the basis for the preparation of two-component compositions and are not applied to the chain themselves. Immediately before use, a solvent is added to them, which, after being applied to the chain, quickly evaporates, causing the lubricant to solidify. Such compounds are used in rainy weather, effectively protecting the metal from the harmful effects of water.

The conditions of use are another indication of the classification of lubricants. On this basis, the funds are divided into those that are suitable only for dry weather and moisture-resistant formulations.

• After being applied to the chain, the dry weather compounds dry out and form a protective film similar to a whitish coating. The film prevents dust and dirt from sticking to the chain, but is quickly washed off by the first rain.
• For wet weather, water-repellent lubricants are used, which are evenly applied to the chain in a thick layer. Such compounds stain clothes and attract dust, but they firmly endure heavy rainfall and driving through puddles and mud.

According to the active ingredient, lubricants are divided into 5 types. Let's consider them in more detail.

Wax is considered to be quite expensive. With its help, a thin protective layer is created on the surface of the chain, repelling dust and dirt. However, its use involves preliminary cleaning and washing of the chain, which is not always possible.

Besides, the application of the paraffin compound must be strictly dosed, otherwise the wax will clog all the bushings and chain joints. In order to independently prepare wax grease, paraffin is rubbed on a grater and mixed with aviation kerosene in a 1: 2 ratio.

This type of lubricant is considered the most common in the cycling environment and is characterized as the most reliable and efficient. Moreover, Teflon compounds are sold at a reasonable cost and are present in all bike shops. As the name implies, the main active ingredient in them is Teflon, which envelops the chain and forms a thin protective film on it. Dust, sand and dirt do not stick to the surface and it stays clean for a long time.

Teflon lubricants are available in the form of liquid and aerosols, but experienced bikers advise purchasing liquid formulations. This is due to the fact that when the lubricant is sprayed onto the chain, a significant part of the substance flies away, staining adjacent parts and causing overruns.

The principle of operation of grease with silicone is the same as for Teflon compounds: silicone forms a thin film on the surface of the chain that repels dust and dirt. Most often, silicone grease is produced in the form of aerosols, which is not very convenient for lubricating small chain elements. According to the subjective assessment of experienced cyclists, up to 50% of the total volume is sprayed off target. The disadvantages of silicone grease include the need for frequent application, since one treatment is enough for no more than 30-40 km.

This grease protects chain elements from rapid wear and has high anti-corrosion properties. In addition, the agent is able to penetrate into the most inaccessible parts of the chain, reduces the negative effect of friction force and does not wash out for a very long time. In dry weather, one treatment is enough for 150 km of the path, in rain or driving through puddles - for 70-80 km.

The lubricant is produced in the form of a very thick product, which is mixed with Galosha gasoline in equal parts. According to the observations of many bikers, one 20 ml syringe of the mixture is enough for 4 lubricants.

Molybdenum disulfide grease is highly resistant to extreme temperatures and has a good lubricating effect. It forms a durable moisturizing film that reliably protects the chain links from dirt adhesion and reduces the negative effect of friction force. Molybdenum formulations are available in the form of aerosols and oily liquids in bottles with a volume of 70 ml or more.

It is strongly not recommended to lubricate bicycle chains with thick lubricants such as lithol, grease and used oil (working off). Such a lubricant is not able to penetrate into hard-to-reach parts of the chain and attracts a huge amount of dust. Caution should be used and WD-40, which contains white spirit. The peculiarity of this component is that it does not have an enveloping effect, but, on the contrary, washes away the remnants of lubricants.

Can't use and machine oil, which collects and retains dirt and sand, and sunflower oilwhich does not have a lubricating effect and flows quickly to the ground.

The modern market offers a huge number of home chain care products. Below is a rating of the most popular formulations, positive reviews of which are more often found on the Internet.

• The well-known manufacturer of components and accessories for bicycles Shimano tops the rating, producing high-quality care products for various bike components, including chains. Consider dry weather grease as an example. Shimano PTFE Dry Lube. The product is available in a small 170 ml bottle, has a convenient dispenser and is characterized by low consumption. Users note that the chain gets less dirty and the bike travels quickly and is very light. The cost of the lubricant is 354 rubles.

• The second line of the rating is occupied by the German company Lider with its eponymous molybdenum disulfide grease. The product is available in a bottle or tube with a capacity of 70 ml, works great in high temperatures and has a more than reasonable price - 176 rubles.

• Chain oil Special Chain lubricant Rohloff also manufactured in Germany and meets all modern requirements for lubricants. The grease works well under high loads and protects the chain joints from dirt and moisture. Moreover, the product is created on a biological basis, which means its absolute harmlessness to humans and the environment. The lubricant is low consumption and is one of the best chain care products. The cost of a 50 ml bottle is 490 rubles.

• Bicycle chain lubricant Mottec Grease For Bicycle Chains made in Holland and specially designed to make the bike easier to ride at high speeds. This is made possible by the presence of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which makes the chain very easy to slide. Another substance called revitalizant prevents rapid wear of the chain links and prevents it from stretching.

• Bicycle Chain Spray Lubricant Nanoprotech 210 ml made in Holland effectively protects metal from moisture and corrosion, eliminates squeaking, frees rusted links from rust and greatly facilitates movement. What's more, it prevents the joints from freezing in the cold, reduces friction, extends chain life and is great for storing your bike for the winter. The cost of a 210 ml bottle is 400 rubles.

• Ceramic oil Ballistol BikeCer Made in Germany, it has been specially developed for bicycle chains operating in extreme conditions. It is applied in a dotted manner to the chain and significantly reduces friction and link wear. In addition, it perfectly protects the metal from corrosion, penetrates into all hard-to-reach places and displaces water from the surface of the chain. Thanks to good adhesion, the time between greases is significantly increased, which leads to cost savings. A bottle of oil with a volume of 100 ml costs 700 rubles.

When choosing a bicycle chain lubricant, the first step is to focus on the conditions in which the bike will be used. So, for dry weather, it is recommended to buy products that have a “dry” mark on the bottle. However, it is worth noting here that not all types of dry lubricants are equally good and there is no universal option among them.

For example, graphite, teflon and silicone compounds perfectly protect the chain from contamination and have a high lubricating effect, but they get dirty around everything. Therefore, for those who are interested in the perfect cleanliness of the vehicle, it is better to use wax compositions. But they also have a significant disadvantage - in comparison with Teflon, silicone and graphite greases, they have a low lubricating effect.

If the bike is going to be used in the rain, then you need to choose lubricants marked «wet» on the label. There is usually a thick grease inside that has been diluted with a solvent.

If there is no opportunity to visit a specialized store, and the chain urgently needs lubrication, then homemade preparations made from improvised means will help to "hold out" to the house. So, for dry weather it is suitable composition of 6 parts of solid oil, 3 parts of engine oil and 1 part of graphite powder, which is scraped off the brushes of the electric motor using ordinary sandpaper.

You can prepare another composition by combining 8.5 parts of lithol, 1 part of graphite powder and 0.5 parts of soap. The components are thoroughly mixed and the chain lubricated. If there is nothing at all at hand, then in extreme cases it is allowed to use machine transmission oil. Upon arrival home, the chain is thoroughly washed from the homemade product and a special bicycle lubricant is applied.

For rainy weather, prepare the following mixture: in equal parts take automobile grease No. 158 for the propeller shaft and mix it with fuel for lighters or gasoline "Galosha". The resulting mixture is thickly coated with all the links of the chain, not forgetting upon arrival "in civilization" to quickly wash off this product and process the chain with a high-quality composition.

See below for how to choose a lubricant for your bike chain.