bike maintenance

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sheva

Well-Known Member
Going to give my bike a good clean and service this weekend. having never serviced a bike before, i need to know which lube/oil Is best for the chain and should i take the chain off and clean it first or just oil It? cheers.
 

Big John

Legendary Member
If you've got a chain bath then I guess it's quicker to use one of those but I usually take mine off and clean it in Gunk or petrol. Use an old cake tray and completely immerse the chain. Leave it for 30 mins and then give it a scrub with a brush of some description to get the crap out. You'll need a chain tool to get the chain off. The lube I use is GT85 but there's more expensive and arguably better stuff by the name of Finish Line. You'll get all sorts of differences of opinion when it come to chain lube but don't use ordinary oil as this attracts the dirt, which then acts as an abrasive.
 

gbb

Squire
Location
Peterborough
Big John said:
If you've got a chain bath then I guess it's quicker to use one of those but I usually take mine off and clean it in Gunk or petrol. Use an old cake tray and completely immerse the chain. Leave it for 30 mins and then give it a scrub with a brush of some description to get the crap out. You'll need a chain tool to get the chain off. The lube I use is GT85 but there's more expensive and arguably better stuff by the name of Finish Line. You'll get all sorts of differences of opinion when it come to chain lube but don't use ordinary oil as this attracts the dirt, which then acts as an abrasive.

Big John...is GT85 similar to WD40 ? Both are naptha based products, and WD40 is useless even in the short as a chain lube. I know, ive used it...my chain wore quicker than any previously.
Ordinary oil is ok, if you dont mind wiping reguarly, but as you say, there are better cycllng specific lubes out there.
 

PpPete

Legendary Member
Location
Chandler's Ford
Another vote for Finish Line wet lube.
Seems expensive but lasts for months.
Finish Line grease is good too if you are redoing any bearings.
 

ASC1951

Guru
Location
Yorkshire
I'm with Dave on this. You can get lots of fancy potions and procedures, but ordinary 3 in 1 is certainly adequate. Whatever you do use, you only need very little, just enough to keep the rust at bay and the rollers smooth.

Anyway, where is Mr Squid when we need his advice? I used to enjoy the threads he got involved in.
 
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