How long does factory chain lube last?

[youngoldbloke]

- and when do you start applying your favourite lube?

 

[HLaB]

- and when do you start applying your favourite lube?

On top straight away. I tried leaving it before and rust specs appeared after the first ride it was a particularly wet Glasgow to Edinburgh though.

 

[ScotiaLass]

Applied mine after the first ride on top of what was there...little and often

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

after the first ride here as well... twas a dryish ride of around 50 miles.

 

[cosmicbike]

Pretty much as others have said, then mickled after every 50-60 miles or so..

 

[doog]

my gearing was as noisy as hell / clunky on the new road bike last year(105 groupset / compact), so cleaned off the factory stuff and applied my usual Tf2 and a massive difference - silence. However on the other bikes (Tiagra and 8 speed mtb) ive kept it on for as long as possible with new chains with no discernable difference.

 

[themosquitoking]

I believe someone on here told me the factory lube is the best and lasts for a few hundred miles before anything needs doing to the chain. So i left it for a few hundred miles, except for the occasional wipe, then when the rag stopped being dirty i started lubing.

 

[Herzog]

It's not lube, it's a protectant - get rid and stick some proper stuff on!

 

[youngoldbloke]

I've generally followed Sheldon B's advice in the past: "The factory lubricant all by itself is usually good for several hundred miles of service if the bike is not ridden in wet or dusty conditions. It is best not to apply any sort of lube to a new chain until it is clearly needed, because any wet lube you can apply will dilute the factory lube". I wondered what other CCers did. So far less than 100 miles for this drive chain, and everything is still glossy with the factory 'lube'.

 

[ianrauk]

As above, a few hundred miles unless it rains during that time when it will cleaned and lubed.

 

[PatrickPending]

its about as well lubricated as it ever will be when new, ride and just see how it looks before lubricating. - as has been said usually after a few hundred miles dependent on riding conditions.

 

[Garethgas]

I agree with the above comments ie. leave the factory lube on. This is also the advice from the manufacturers.
However, if you choose to remove it and use your favourite magic potion, it really doesn't matter.
All you've done is wasted a bit of lube but no harm will be done.
I think there's far too much fussing about technology these days, it's only a chain.
I just ride until it squeaks then oil it.

 

[Smurfy]

I strip it all off before re-lubing and riding. Dry lube doesn't go on properly otherwise.