Stupid question sorry re lubing chain

[Chris9181]

Have read articles and viewed videos with contradictory info re lubing a chain!

Some say lube inside of chain as that is where the contact is and some say lube outside, but which is right, or does it not really matter?!

Cheers
Chris

 

[MiK1138]

There are no Stupid Questions Chris but a plethora of stupid answers. Heres Mine. I lube the inside, hold the bottle on a link and spin the chain till all links are covered.

 

[ianrauk]

No need to lube the outside of the chain. It's the inside you need to lube.

 

[Chris9181]

Thank you both, that was my thinking but was amazed by how many are saying outside which seems very strange.

Thanks again

 

[slowmotion]

Sheldon Brown is the man for you...

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/chains.html#lube

 

[fossyant]

Just use a dropper bottle. One drop on each roller. Spin chain then wipe off excess.

 

[Profpointy]

Whilst much of the detailed advise is doubtless correct, in my view, what matters is "oiled" versus "neglected" and much beyond that is over-thinking it.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

There is no way that you can lube the chain without the insides becoming lubed. Capillary action will move the oil to every nook and cranny inside the chain within a few revolutions of the crank. There's a large prize of beer and stuff for someone who can prove otherwise. Apply within.

Something that really irks me about lubing advice is the use of the word "liberal" and then "wipe of excess". Sorry @fossyant.

If you just put one truncated/stunted/abbreviated drop on each second roller you will have just enough oil to make the chain work perfectly and, you wont' have to do any wiping. Again, capillary action is so good that the unoiled rollers will be oiled within a few revs of the crank. Try it.

 

[slowmotion]

I've used a plastic syringe and an 18g hypodermic needle to put a tiny drop at each end of the rollers. You can lube a whole chain with about 1.5 ml. It sounds complete OTT but it saves you "wiping off the excess".

 

[zacklaws]

I use a small modeling paint brush and just do the rollers and once again no need to wipe anything off afterwards, unless I'm using ceramic lube and it gets everywhere eventually.

 

[gbb]

If you just put one truncated/stunted/abbreviated drop on each second roller you will have just enough oil to make the chain work perfectly and, you wont' have to do any wiping. Again, capillary action is so good that the unoiled rollers will be oiled within a few revs of the crank. Try it.

On that point, for once, I agree .
The smallest drip, one on each roller will quickly work its way into the only real place it needs to be, the gap between the pin and the inside of the roller. Oil anywhere else will protect the surfaces from corrosion etc..but serve no other real purpose.
Will Iit make your chain last longer...I suspect not. You'll definately use less oil, you'll have less to clean up...but the saving is miniscule in real terms (IMHO)...but it's what I do