Take care of the chain after every use. Twice a year? Your chain is what transmits the power from your legs to the wheels and it exposed to some serious wear and tear. Get your bike into position. Today I picked my bike up from the LBS after a tune up and they said my drive chain was too dry. The reason why WD40 is a tempting option is its ease of application. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'bikecommuterhero_com-leader-4','ezslot_11',151,'0','0']));Step 3: Dry your chain with a rag. Most wet lubes will provide efficient lubrication for over 100 miles of riding with one application. Along the way, any friction in that system will cause some of that power to be lost. I agree to receive email updates and promotions. Dry lubes, so called because they’re designed for riding in … Cyclpus A2 Portable Electric Pump - Ready! The Park Tool Cyclone chain cleaner is durable and inexpensive. (DISCLAIMER: this is a rule of thumb…if you feel like the lube you use can last 300-500 miles before being changed, then continue with your routine.) eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'bikecommuterhero_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_6',153,'0','0']));You can use dry lube in rain, but expect that you need to lube your chain after every use, as the rain washes it off very easily. Let’s take a closer look at the bike chain — the key component for transferring power from your body to the rear wheel. In dry seasons and climates dry lube can be used. Many people go for months, or even years, … For the rest of us (the majority), who ride when the weather is nice, dry lube is the preferred option. Wet and dry lubes are specifically designed for wet and dry conditions, as their names imply. Every other time I ride? Average 30 miles a week in good weather and you should be lubing about every 2 weeks. Every time you push the pedals on your bike, you’re creating power in the crankset. Considering what your bike chain has to bear and how important the chain is. Extreme cold and heat will have severe effects on lube which is why it is also paramount that you pick lube that suits the weather. Depending on the conditions you ride your bike in and the type of chain lube you use, this period can vary from a few days to a month. Use dirt bike chain lube before each ride and after every wash Ceramic chain lube forms a protective nanoparticle barrier on the chain. [1] X Research source You can find bike lubes of all kinds online or at your local bike shop. When you buy your first bike everything works in harmony like a clockwork. If you cycle regularly or routinely ride in wet conditions or on dirty roads, you should clean and lube your bicycle chain every week or at least fortnightly. Ride one time in wet weather for 20 minutes, and re-lube right away. The chain is at the heart of the bike, says Rob McCreedie of Juice Lubes, and it's vital to keep it clean and well lubed through winter Clean and lube your chain as often as possible (Pic: Media24) Keep in mind that WD40 have started making proper degreaser and chain lube products in the same form factor as the original WD40. Note: Always use a cleaner and lubricant designed for bike drivetrains. Carl. Part of what lube does is fill in the cracks and crevices where dirt and grime can collect. The guy confirmed he meant twice a week or after every second ride. Dry lube. It reduces friction and increases riding efficiency, which makes it more appealing than regular lube. New Bike Series – All About Getting the Right Sized Bike, Five Things to Consider When Buying a New Bicycle. Contrary to what I initially thought you don’t need to apply any lubricant to the cogs. Your chain is very strong and it doesn’t snap easily, and it’s not caused by lack of lubing. It is under constant tension when you’re riding. If you must use WD-40, don’t use what you’re used to seeing – use their reformulated bike specific lube, and be careful where you spray – lube on brake surfaces isn’t a good idea. It is … Every hundred miles? Twice a year? Don't forget to check out one the most popular posts on Bike Commuter Hero!! At least every 100 miles The recommendation to lube your mountain bike chain “at least every 100 miles” is a generic suggestion found in many bicycle owner’s manuals. In wet winter conditions with salt on the roads or in muddy weather you will have to care more for your chain than on warm dry spring days riding on tarmac. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Let the chain soak until most of … Just backpedal your chain through a clean, lint-free rag. Durability is the lesser issue as you can and should lube your chain often. It’s a simple question with no simple answer. You may have heard even pro cyclists (Simon Richardson on GCN) say that the use WD40 both as degreaser and as chain lube. Every month? How to degrease and lube your chain Think of your tires like a pair of shoes. Average 50 miles a ride in good weather, and it’s every ride. How often should I lube bicycle chain? Lube is mainly affected by weather patterns. If I had a nickel for every time I was asked this question, I’d  be a rich man. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'bikecommuterhero_com-leader-3','ezslot_10',154,'0','0']));You may have heard of chain wax, but what is chain wax anyway? eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'bikecommuterhero_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_12',150,'0','0']));It is always recommended to clean the chain before applying lube. I ride the bike about 6 days / 150km per week. Unless you’re willing to perform bicycle chain cleaning after every use (or at least fairly regularly) you should stay away from regular WD40. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'bikecommuterhero_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_5',157,'0','0']));So, how often should you lube your bike chain? Bike commuting is my primary way of keeping fit. Every few months or so (more often for mountain bikes), completely remove your chain using a chain-removal tool. You can scrub off the grime with a brush and a clean cloth, but this can get quite messy. Every month? This is good to do anytime, especially before you re-apply lube. The “WD” in WD-40 stands for “water displacement” and the “40” stands for the 40 tries it took engineers to develop it. Unnecessary oil or lube only attracts dirt and builds up grime. Unlike chain lube, which is applied on the chain directly from the bottle, waxing a chain requires heating up some paraffin wax in a slow cooker (crockpot) and dipping your chain in it. It is available for wet and dry versions. It’s just as easy to apply as the regular stuff, and it will keep your bike chain happy for much longer. Step 2: Remove oil and grime from your chain and cogs. If you are adamant about cleaning your bike regularly and often ride in inclement weather, then wet lube is the right choice for you. This depends on how often you ride and in what conditions. WD40 is a degreaser and it can be used to clean off the dirt from your chain, but it is not designed to be used as lube for a low maintenance bike, such as a commuter bike. Once a week?………. Since you need to remove your chain for waxing, melt wax, and hang the chain after to let it drip and dry, you need tools and time, which makes it highly impractical. They suggested applying lube twice a week and I thought I'd misheard and asked if they meant every second week. Here is where we help you out by answering some of the most popular questions that get asked when it comes to chain maintenance and lube. Every hundred miles? There’s a reason that bike mechanics cringe whenever someone says that they use the stuff on their chain. The question of how often should I degrease and lube my bike chain is a common question, especially when beginning. In this quickest of methods, simply wrap the chain with a … Click on any of the little lube bottles and you’ll be linked directly to Amazon where you can make a purchase, and I make a little commission. New Bike Series – Bicycle Categories – What’s Best Type of Bike for You. However, the best way to go about lubing a chain is to do i… It depends. Just a few drops of lube should be enough, unless you ride on very dirty roads. Oils that are specifically marketed as bicycle-chain lubricants are superior to non-bicycle-specific products. link to The Ultimate Guide For Bike Tire Sizes For Commuters. In terms of adding lube in between cleanings, every week or two should be fine, more often if the drivetrain is getting noisy. Give it a try! They generally contain Teflon ® and are designed to repel dirt and water. The Ultimate Guide For Bike Tire Sizes For Commuters. You need to understand this approach in its broader context.