Please don't shout - newbie question....

[John the Monkey]

GT85 is akin to WD40 - it isn't heavy enough to be chain oil, and will flush out any "proper" chain lube from the rollers. DON'T USE IT ON YOUR CHAIN (unless you can reapply it OVER and OVER again).

It is good for derailleur pivot points etc though.

I reckon you should have three types of lubrication in the garage for your bike.

#1 - Chain Oil
Personally I have two - Weldtite chain oil, about £2 from my LBS and Finish Line Pro Road Ceramic (from Evans, £6.99). Use for lubricating the chain, I also use the weldtite stuff for lubricating shift cables. I've used this on spoke threads as well.

#2 - Grease
I use Bikehut teflon grease, although ordinary brown grease would do as well. A grease gun (mine was £7 from Halfords) makes the grease much easier to apply. Use this for greasing seatposts (so they don't seize) bolt threads, quill stems, etc etc.

#3 - Some sort of spray light oil/water displacer
I use GT85, which (apparently) leaves a PTFE coating behind on the lubricated parts. Use this for spoke threads, derailleur pivot points.

Bicycle Tutor's guide to Lubricants; http://bicycletutor.com/lubricants/

...and why WD40 will wreck your chain; http://bicycletutor.com/no-wd40-bike-chain/

 

[jeltz]

Thanks,

So not a complete waste of money then the GT 85 but equally not ideal and maybe a hint that I might be as well to use the other LBS most of the time

I've just been told by one of his customers that the other shop recommends "A little bottle of stuff which costs a few quid and lasts ages" I guess this will be "proper" chain lube - I'll pop in ask.

 

[The doomed]

Ive been using WD40 on my new chain (bought a Sram 8speed - seemed very greasy when I bought it - wasnt keen so soaked it in WD40 to start with). After each cycle, I just come in and stick the chain in a jar with WD40.

The before I go out just give it a quick wipe and stick it back on. Seems to be doing the trick.

Also amazing to see the amount of crap that comes off it!

Edit: also use White Lightning Epic Ride periodically - when weather aint too dry! but i dont knock in too many miles.

 

[John the Monkey]

Ive been using WD40 on my new chain (bought a Sram 8speed - seemed very greasy when I bought it - wasnt keen so soaked it in WD40 to start with). After each cycle, I just come in and stick the chain in a jar with WD40.

The grease on it when you buy it is the manufacturing grease.

Before a chain is packed, the manufacturer will "dip" it, allowing lubricant to coat the chain, and more critically from the point of view of chain wear, the inside of the rollers.

Your WD40 method is washing all that out, so you need to be VERY disciplined about reapplying lubrication, and making sure it gets into the rollers (where it's needed). And be careful that the residual WD40 isn't soaking away the lube you're reapplying.

WD40 isn't really tenacious enough to remain on the links & in the rollers as far as I know (especially in the wet) - I suspect that you'd be better off using a proper chain lube instead. (Unless you can reapply it every 4-5 minutes).

KMC guide to chain maintenance; http://www.kmcchain.com/index.php?ln=en&fn=service

Info from wiser heads than mine; http://www.cyclechat.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=5849

 

[HJ]

I fully intend to do so Ian - I was made to feel pretty small in the shop. I appreciate that the majority on here are very serious cyclists and as such must be in utter horror at the stupidity of my question, but it's times like this when someone who's new to cycling (or hasn't ridden since they were in single figures) needs to be given guidance and not a talking down to!

Thanks very much for your response.

Hey, this is the beginner section, no question is stupid, everyone was a beginner at sometime, just keep asking questions, it is the best way to learn...

 

[HJ]

...do use chain oil, not 3 in 1, or motor oil, or basil infused olive oil...

Actually I have used olive oil, it is fairly effective but it does start to smell after awhile in warm weather...

 

[Bman]

How often do you smell your chain!?

 

[John the Monkey]

How often do you smell your chain!?

sort of related, I do like the smell of GT85.

Oddly, when I've used it on the bike in the office, people often comment that the cleaners must be using a new air freshener/polish...

 

[Arch]

GT85 is akin to WD40 - it isn't heavy enough to be chain oil, and will flush out any "proper" chain lube from the rollers. DON'T USE IT ON YOUR CHAIN (unless you can reapply it OVER and OVER again).

It is good for derailleur pivot points etc though.

I reckon you should have three types of lubrication in the garage for your bike.

#1 - Chain Oil
Personally I have two - Weldtite chain oil, about £2 from my LBS and Finish Line Pro Road Ceramic (from Evans, £6.99). Use for lubricating the chain, I also use the weldtite stuff for lubricating shift cables. I've used this on spoke threads as well.

#2 - Grease
I use Bikehut teflon grease, although ordinary brown grease would do as well. A grease gun (mine was £7 from Halfords) makes the grease much easier to apply. Use this for greasing seatposts (so they don't seize) bolt threads, quill stems, etc etc.

#3 - Some sort of spray light oil/water displacer
I use GT85, which (apparently) leaves a PTFE coating behind on the lubricated parts. Use this for spoke threads, derailleur pivot points.

Bicycle Tutor's guide to Lubricants; http://bicycletutor.com/lubricants/

...and why WD40 will wreck your chain; http://bicycletutor.com/no-wd40-bike-chain/

ooh, and tube of copper grease, if for no other reason than it's pretty....

 

[rusky]

I use Muc-Off Wet Lube seeing as it's always raining at the moment.

 

[HJ]

How often do you smell your chain!?

Rancid olive oil can be smelt from several meters, there was no need to get close to the chain to smell it...

 

[kewb]

i use rock n roll on my chain ,its good stuff a wipe down after a long ride and a few drops along the chain are all thats needed if its mucky a rinse with the hose leave it to dry
out with the rag for a rub down and apply oil at a fiver a go its pretty cheap and a bottle lasts a while .

use it on nearly every part actually no problems .