Gear box oil for cassette/chain etc on new bike-good or bad?

[night cycler]

My new bike arrived today. I`ve put the bits on-front wheel, seat and pedals. It`s sat in the passage at the moment and not seen the light of day yet. Just had it in the living room taking some pics for when I write up my review on here. Ah the joy of living alone (Probably the reason I`m living alone).

Anyway, what I wanted to ask is would it be a good idea to put either some hypoid gearbox oil on, or maybe some clean engine oil on the gears and chain etc? I cannot see a problem apart from maybe bits of grit possibly sticking to it. But, if not lubricated sufficiently it will surely wear quicker. I`ve heard of dry lube but I`m finding it a bit difficult to convince myself of that method. I tend not to cycle in wet weather, and can use my old MTB if I feel the need, as I`ve put road tyres on it now.

What do you guys think about the lube options?

 

[Drago]

Gearbox or hypoid is exactly what I use. Cheap, more than capable of handling the pressures involved, quite good for fling resistance.

 

[mr messy]

It stinks though! Only thing worse when stripping gearboxes is a metal skelf

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

I tried using dry lube once. While the drive train stayed cleaner, I found it difficult to apply enough lube for it not to squeak after less than 100 miles. I much prefer wet lube with the exterior chain parts well ragged down to reduce clingy muck and grit.

 

[Andy_R]

The chain will already be lubed, from the factory. So leave it as is until it needs lubing.

 

[pawl]

The chain will already be lubed, from the factory. So leave it as is until it needs lubing.

I believe some use chain saw oll to lubicrate cycle chains.

 

[mrandmrspoves]

Gear oil stinks so I wouldn't use it. I have been using clean engine oil for years (why buy more oil when I already have gallons of the stuff?) and my drive trains last just fine. Apply carefully, and wipe off any excess thoroughly and you will be fine.
I think people that believe that brand A super oil works better than brand b standard oil are generally misguided.
There is an argument for dry lube rather than wet lube in dry dusty conditions (but I still use engine oil)
I don't hold the same views about economy where grease is used as grease tends to stay in place for a long time and has to deal with tough conditions - so I do use a quality grease.

 

[Citius]

Gear oil stinks so I wouldn't use it

Hypoid or EP rated oils are the only ones that smell a bit, cos of the sulphur content. Any gear oil, or any other oil, will be better than nothing.

 

[Drago]

Synthetic gear oil barely smells at all. It's the old fashioned stuff what's pongy.

 

[mrandmrspoves]

Hypoid or EP rated oils are the only ones that smell a bit, cos of the sulphur content. Any gear oil, or any other oil, will be better than nothing.

Shows how out of date I am! I think I still have some gear box oil spare from my last Vauxhall Viva! (1987)

 

[fossyant]

Only oil the chain. You may want to decant some engine oil into a dropper bottle. You need only one little drop on each chain roller, that's all. You don't need to oil the cassette or outer edges of the chain. The oil will spread.

Even a small bottle of bike chain oil lasts a very long time.

 

[raleighnut]

Chainsaw - Chain/bar oil nothing oilier.

 

[mrandmrspoves]

Chainsaw - Chain/bar oil nothing oilier.

You haven't been to my local curry house!

 

[MattDB]

I religiously cleaned my chain and dry lubed it once a week. Rusted really badly and snapped on me after 500 miles. Next chain hasn't seen any degreaser and use the cheap cheap oil and clean only with a rag. I won't touch dry lube again.

 

[bpsmith]

I religiously cleaned my chain and dry lubed it once a week. Rusted really badly and snapped on me after 500 miles. Next chain hasn't seen any degreaser and use the cheap cheap oil and clean only with a rag. I won't touch dry lube again.

Do you think it had anything to do with not drying the chain after cleaning? Or even lubing when chain still wet?

Have used dry lube on my bikes since new and not experienced what you have on either.