I put together a bike for The Kid who would like to go for a spin NOW. I’ve been asking all the bike riders in my building and they all take it to the shop or recommend I buy a special “bike lube.” WTF?
WHat happened to 3 in 1 or WD-40 and so on?
What did we do in the 60’s? If I went in the house and asked my mother for money to go to a special store to get a special grease for my bicycle I wouldn’t be here today.
How about vaseline.
Sheee-ite.
I think we called it…axle grease. Actually, that was the thick stuff inside the axle. As well, for some things I think I used a brand of liquid oil called Red Devil or something. Something my mechanically inclined grandfather kept around.
In the old days it could be motor oil, grease or any light oil like the 3 in 1 you mentioned. The main disadvantage to oil and grease is that raod grit sticks to the chain and massively speed wear of both the chain and both sets of sprockets.
Better are the “dry lubes”. They go on liquid but dry to a waxy substance that lubes the chain without dirt sticking.
ETA: handling the chain is much cleaner with the dry lubes.
OK–In the meantime is there something, like, in my kitchen? Urgent.
Don’t use cooking oil, it quickly plasticizes and gets very sticky.
I’m in big trouble.
You can use oils or grease short term.
axle grease, an amber color, was used inside of hubs and on bearings. a light machine oil would be used on chains a cable housings.
Would graphite or candle wax work?
Some cyclists do melt candle wax and dip the chain in that. Major pain in removing and replacing the chain and it does last long.
The lube needs to get into the chain links, not just on the outside.
Dish soap?
It is nice here in heaven but rather dull.
May we revisit this tomorrow?
Thank you every one.
P.S. Free bikes!
Doesn’t.:smack::smack::smack:
Use the dipstick on your car to oil the chain. Buy some cheap engine oil and put it in a small can for next time if you’re cheap. DO NOT use WD40. It’s 70% cleaner and 30% fish oil. Your chain will be squeaking before you get home from a good ride. Clear chain lube/wax is the new good $tuff.
3 in 1 oil is fine for bicycle chains. After you oil the chain, spin crank a few dozen times to allow the oil to work into the links, and then use an old rag to wipe off the excess. Depending on how much and where the bike is ridden, you may have to re-oil the chain every 2 weeks or so. Or show the kid how to do it.
A bike shop will have several different lubricants, and if you are racing in mud or rain then some of there do work better, but I did plenty of road racing using 3 in 1.
3-1 is basically 20W engine oil.
light oil like Singer oil can work well on a bike chain… greases are more for bearings.
Avoid wd40 and similar, they’re more a solvent than a lubricant and will strip out any original lubricants. Not sure what 3 in 1 has, it may also have a solvent.
See herefor chain lube information.
Couple of quotes from the site:
Automotive motor oil contains detergent, to wash away combustion products, and is made to be renewed constantly under pressure from the motor’s oil pump. I rode once with someone who had used it the day before, and her chain was already squeaking.
“Household” oil, such as 3 in 1, is a vegetable oil and is acidic. It tends to gum up. (It’s really bad news inside internal hub gears, too…)
Buncha hooey here.
There’s nowhere near enough detergent in motor oil to come into play oiling a bicycle/motorcycle chain. And if you are afraid there is, buy “non-detergent” oil. It’s $.14 cheaper.
3-1 oil was INVENTED as a bicycle chain oil. Who cares what it’s made from.
Of course WD40 evaporates: it’s 70% mineral spirits/kerosene (paint thinner.) It’s SUPPOSED to evaporate. Don’t use it on your chain. It’s not oil.
People have been lubricating essentially similar bicycle chains since the 1880’s. It’s not rocket science. Clean it with a rag, oil it and clean it again. Repeat every 2 weeks.
If you’re riding more than 100 miles a week, you already know what to do.