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

[Lazy-Commuter]

Welcome .. there's plenty of newbies on here who've all been through the same thing so don't worry about feeling daft.

I've found the wipe-oil-wipe method described above to be a very good one: it's one I learnt from here and is commonly referred to as the "mickle method" on the forum, after the FM of the same name.

 

[mookie]

no one is in 'utter horror' at the questions, hence the replies. Remember, we all had to start somewhere and this is what the Beginners section of the forum is for.
So keep asking away, there are more then enough good people on here who will answer any questions you have and help you to enjoy your cycling.

I read your reply there Ian and it made me smile - I actually *love* cycling - never in a MILLION years would I thought it would be so much fun. I get dead excited when I get to go on the bike and come off feeling utterly brilliant.

Off out tonight (will check the state of chain prior to doing so though!!) - can't wait!

 

[Dayvo]

I appreciate that the majority on here are very serious cyclists

Wrong! Only ONE of us here is a serious cyclist, and no one listens to him, anyway!

Welcome to the forum, glad that you're enjoying cycling so much; it is hugely addictive, and great fun!

Have a look at this for some advice:

http://bicycletutor.com/chain-lubrication/

And don't worry! There are NO stupid questions here!

 

[redjedi]

no one is in 'utter horror' at the questions, hence the replies. Remember, we all had to start somewhere and this is what the Beginners section of the forum is for.
So keep asking away, there are more then enough good people on here who will answer any questions you have and help you to enjoy your cycling.

Don't I know it. Just a couple of years ago, after I had first got my Bianchi. I decided to lube the chain. Did that, then I thought "but the chain runs over the cogs at the back so I better lube that as well" followed by me squirting White Lighening lube all over the cassette

 

[Bman]

Wrong! Only ONE of us here is a serious cyclist, and no one listens to him, anyway!

Welcome to the forum, glad that you're enjoying cycling so much; it is hugely addictive, and great fun!

Have a look at this for some advice:

http://bicycletutor.com/chain-lubrication/

And don't worry! There are NO stupid questions here!

No prizes for guessing who that is!

 

[ChrisKH]

Thank you very much Chris - that is really really helpful - thank you for your straight "no shouting" answer

NO PROBLEM. I CAN SHOUT IF YOU WANT.

 

[Sittingduck]

Hello mookie

I have done... getting on for 1000 miles on my new road bike and am yet to oil the chain. This guy at Halfords who is saying you need to oil both chain and cassette after every ride is clearly a moron*!

Cheers,
SD

*Not saying people who think this advice may be true are morons, just that somebody who works in a shop advising customers on bikes is one.

 

[Dan B]

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

Interestingly, according to wikipedia 3-in-1 was originally developed as a bicycle chain oil

John is right that there are better oils out there now, though. The real no-no is WD40, which is really good at rinsing any remaining lube out of the chain but markedly less effective at staying around to lubricate.

 

[jeltz]

Interestingly, according to wikipedia 3-in-1 was originally developed as a bicycle chain oil

John is right that there are better oils out there now, though. The real no-no is WD40, which is really good at rinsing any remaining lube out of the chain but markedly less effective at staying around to lubricate.

I went into one of the 2 lbs I visit and asked for chain lube and was sold a spray can of something called GT 85 which appears to be a product much like WD40. Is this stuff any good?

 

[Lisa21]

Oh dear....I am now either going to get shouted at, laughed at, or banished from the forum in disgrace (probably all at the same time) but I have the GT85 and I squooosh it all over my bike once a week,after iv cleaned it.That is my maintainance. BUT I am a woman....
Shall I get my coat???

 

[Garz]

Taxi for Lisa......

 

[Sittingduck]

I dunno about GT85 (having never used it) but you get a bonus point for creating the word squooosh.

Regards,
SD

 

[Lisa21]

Can I stay then??? I like it here!

(cancel that taxi!!)

 

[montage]

NO PROBLEM. I CAN SHOUT IF YOU WANT.

WHY SHOUT?

 

[RedBike]

I went into one of the 2 lbs I visit and asked for chain lube and was sold a spray can of something called GT 85 which appears to be a product much like WD40. Is this stuff any good?

Oh dear....I am now either going to get shouted at, laughed at, or banished from the forum in disgrace (probably all at the same time) but I have the GT85 and I squooosh it all over my bike once a week,after iv cleaned it.That is my maintainance. BUT I am a woman....
Shall I get my coat???

I always associate GT85 with being a light oil/ water repellent. Its no good for oiling the chain for the simple reason that it washes / wears off far too quickly. For spraying on bolts/ mechs/ brake calipers etc to either keep them moving freely it's great.

For the chain get Finish line green. This stuff is tough. It doesn't wash or wear off in a hurry. The downside to this is dirt tends to stick to it/your chain easily and everything soon starts looking black. When this happens simply wipe off the old stuff with a rag and re-apply a small amount.