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

[youngoldbloke]

Campagnolo 11 speed for example. Requires a special tool to put on, and ain't designed to come off again*. Of course you could join it with a different manufacturer's joining link, but it's not designed for that, and in any case a KMC 11sp missing link is not designed for multiple use.

*Strictly speaking not designed to go back on again once removed.

Where does this information come from? I would have no hesitation in removing the chain and putting it back on again - using a new KMC link, as I do with other Campag chains. Of course Campag and Shimano don't recommend using other manufacturers products with theirs, and their tech docs warn of the dire consequences of such misuse .......

 

[winjim]

Where does this information come from? I would have no hesitation in removing the chain and putting it back on again - using a new KMC link, as I do with other Campag chains. Of course Campag and Shimano don't recommend using other manufacturers products with theirs, and their tech docs warn of the dire consequences of such misuse .......

The fact that you need to use a joining link made by a different manufacturer would tend to support my point.

 

[youngoldbloke]

The fact that you need to use a joining link made by a different manufacturer would tend to support my point.

Not really - I don't see how it is any different from Shimano and their use of special joining pins. They don't advise not removing and rejoining. You can buy spare Campag 11 speed joining pins CN-RE500 anyway. I would use a KMC link with the 11 speed Shimano chains too.

 

[winjim]

OK, I stand corrected, Campagnolo will sell you a joining pin, but they don't want you to use it more than twice and they don't want you to remove the chain for cleaning and lubrication, which supports my original point, which is that chain removal is not part of essential maintenance.

 

[Padraig]

Of course the manufacturers of the missing links say you should only use them once, then cough up the money for a new one. They would say that, wouldn't they? Me eye, as we say in Dublin.

 

[DaveReading]

Of course the manufacturers of the missing links say you should only use them once, then cough up the money for a new one. They would say that, wouldn't they? Me eye, as we say in Dublin.

Missing links can be reused. Joining pins (in this case, at least) can't.

 

[youngoldbloke]

SOME Missing links can be reused. Joining pins (in this case, at least) can't.

FTFY, AFIK the KMC 11 speed ones are non-reusuable

 

[raleighnut]

SRAM 10spd are single use also.

 

[Dogtrousers]

What's interesting above is the dire warning that using a Campag chains with sprockets or chainrings which are not marked Campagnolo (R) may result in death.

Gosh. Good job I don't use Campag chains. A KMC chain saved my life.

 

[RMurphy195]

I never use oils that are designed for cars on the bike.

Why?

They are designed to run under closed conditions - if they get contaminated with water they emulsify.

On a bike in the rain therefore they won't be as effective as proper bike lube.

 

[Citius]

In heavy rain, any lube will get rinsed out long before it gets a chance to emulsify. In any case, in heavy rain, water itself will provide an element of lubrication. Let's mark it down as another of those things which are not worth worrying excessively about.

 

[Padraig]

As always, the Continentals have the answer. A totally-enclosed chain running in an oil bath. Not terribly lightweight, but I often think we pay a heavy penalty for making a bike light. Surely, if one of the aims of cycling is to get exercise, the heavier the machine the better?

 

[Citius]

Chaincases are more about keeping oil off clothes on urban bikes, than they are about protecting the chain.