My new chain has started to rust !

[Cuchilo]

What do I do about that ?
my first thought was to oil it after a clean but I thought I would ask here first as basic oil seems to be a no no .

 

[HLaB]

Basic oil will be fine just now it may not have as much retention as a specific bike lube (perhaps will wash of too easily) but its better than nothing and wont do any harm.

 

[Cuchilo]

I soaked everything with dry lube as soon as I saw it . It only appeared today .
Do I need to switch to a winter oil ? The LBS that sold me the dry lube said I would need another oil for winter .

 

[buggi]

i thought that about my chain but then when i cleaned it i realised it was that rust coloured muddy water that had dried all over it.

 

[Jon George]

If it's that new, I'd suspect it's initial surface oxidization that can be easily addressed by a swift application of a swede brush, a dunk in gunk, a cleanse with hot water, a wipe down, a spray with PTFE spray and then an oil. (Other cleansing techniques may vary.) In other words, don't let it get any further and, in this weather, give the chain a good wipe after every ride.

 

[snorri]

....................and get yourself a chain cover to minimise further deterioration.
.

 

[Dangermouse]

I agree with Buggi, probably looks like rust but if its a decent chain it will be zinc plated and covered in road muck so a good soak in white spirit to clean all the gunk off, then hang it up to dry and a decent coating of a good PTFE and then some light oil, I do mine and the wifes once a week or twice if the weather has been bad and the roads are covered in dirt, remember that keeping your chain in good condition stops premature wearing of the chainrings, cassette and derailleur guides

 

[BrynCP]

What do I do about that ?
my first thought was to oil it after a clean but I thought I would ask here first as basic oil seems to be a no no .

I was about to post a similar thread. My chain is just over five weeks old and is brown!

As it was quite dirty too and had got infected with some foreign oil in a puddle in the road, I used a citrus degreaser and cleaned it with that and a rag. Then I applied a wet lube. However, the rust is still there, on the outside at least; I must be doing something wrong

It's also shifting horribly, sometimes I shift and half way down the road it actually moves on the cogs!

 

[HLaB]

I soaked everything with dry lube as soon as I saw it . It only appeared today .
Do I need to switch to a winter oil ? The LBS that sold me the dry lube said I would need another oil for winter .

Depends how often you clean it, etc, for eample if you go on short rides and clean the chain after each the dry lube will be fine, a wet lube will be more durable and you'll generally get longer out of it between cleans.

 

[fossyant]

You need to lube the chain if it's had a soaking. If you buy a dropper bottle of something like Finish Line, then you only need a drop on each roller. Let it soak in, then wipe off with an old rag (in my case old cotton t-shirts are perfect). If the bike gets wet, then repeat the process and wipe off the crud.

The problem with light oils is that they can fling oil, which in turn can cover the rim and braking surface, as well as looking a mess !