We met by chance, or so it seems. I suppose there really is no such thing as “chance”. I was ready for it, and it was there. I wasn’t really looking but, you see, it had been a while since I’d been happy. I’d even strayed about some, trying a bit of this and a bit of that, but nothing really filled the void I felt within. But Love is a real thing and it can belong to each of us; we just have to be willing to see and we need the courage to grasp it while we can.
My chain and I share a tumultuous relationship. Mostly, we get along just fine, but my demands are high and it is but a simple thing. There are times when it simply doesn’t behave as I’d like. Not only do I expect it to shift properly and propel my bike without impeding my forward progress more than I already do myself, but I expect it to be absolutely silent, only allowing it a triumphant chirp when coaxed onto an adjacent cog.
In my quest to observe the Principle of Silence, I tune my drivetrain and bike more often than is reasonable, often when it requires neither tuning nor cleaning. But I do it anyway, and it feels good. Few things delight me as much as hearing the hum of the back wheel as it spins on the stand, my left hand spinning the drive-side pedal while my right hand pushes the levers on the shifters while watching the chain skip flawlessly from one cog to the next. A daily ritual, I never – under any circumstances – throw my leg over a bike without first cleaning at least the chain. I find it is unbecoming of a Velominatus to ride a soiled machine; we are not barbarians, after all.
You need to know all this in order to understand what I will say next. I have experimented with synthetic lubes and with waxes, and none are the equal of an oil-based product. Sure, oil attracts more road grit, but for those of us who clean our chains every day, that hardly matters. More importantly, it’s lubricating qualities are far superior to the synthetics. As for providing a solid platform for the Principle of Silence, no product I’ve come across has managed to rival the noise-dampening qualities of Dumonde Tech BCL, made right here in Seattle, no less. All it requires is a single drop on each link and chain noise virtually disappears. If you are lucky enough to ride well-tuned Campagnolo mechs, you’ll find that the only sound you hear is the hiss of your wheels cutting through the breeze. And, in my case, that of belabored breathing.
When first we met, I was skeptical. I’d been hurt in the past and I needed assurances that it wouldn’t happen again. The bottle caught my eye as it stood coyly on its shelf. I picked it up and discretely read the label which said all the right things – a bit about low friction and a bit re-applying only when chain noise becomes audible. I took the first step, and it has rewarded me with silence.
And, dare I say, it smells strangely pleasant.
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O Velominati!
Neglect the initial chain degreasing at thy peril! For failure to sufficiently clean the factory scum will thwart thy subsequent lubing rituals, and render null the Principle of Silence!
PS Creak solved...
@sgt
Excellent point! My Merckx, this cannot be overstated! The only time to apply actual grease to a chain is when you are riding Flanders or Roubaix and it's raining. And only then if you've already degreased the factory slime off, relubed with Dumonde TECH, and wish to keep the water and grit out (grease will form an impermeable barrier).
I'm guessing at this stage that after the race you will also want to chuck the chain, but thats no matter provided you just put your arms in the air in the Velodrome.
@Nate,
The hub runs on bearings, the casette body (not the cogs) run on bearings that turn when you are coasting - or the bearings that the casette body runs on when the bike is stationary and you are backpedaling.
Boeshield will STINK your house up. At least it used to about 15 years ago. Use it in the garage and for Christ's sake, don't ever use it inside the car. You will never get rid of the smell.
I don't do bike stuff in my house, I have a separate place appropriated for such rituals, but hey, I love the smell of Boeshield... The drip kind, not the spray kind.
And don't even dare say I'm some kind of lube huffing velo-junkie.
@Steampunk
I wish I could say it was intentional.
@michael
Thanks got it.
The factory grease is best left on until it needs to be cleaned, it's good stuff.
@frank
no I don't ride hemp chairs, I make my own chairs out of pieces of wood I salvage from skips and punctured inner-tubes...
Let us know how the eco-lube goes
@frank
I definitely cut a corner, hoping a quick rub with degreaser on a rag and a lube would do it when I put the chain on last week. My full maintenance was running long, and my runner wife (who disdains any pre-exercise regimen more time consuming than tying one's shoes) was standing by tapping her dainty foot... Today I went full bore with the Park chain cleaner and full concentrate Eco-satanic degreaser, followed by a rinse, dry, and full lube, and then verified PoS compliance with a couple of big ring hill repeats (in flip flops, then Sidi's to ensure the shoes weren't creaking), followed by a full bike cleaning and relube. Success!
PS I find it slightly disturbing that a thread about proper lubing can generate 67 posts, but I'm figuring out that we're a sick bunch...
ProLink ProGold - there is no other lube for clean and quiet drivetrains that shift as the maker intended. It does require frequent reapplication, but the only cleaning you'll ever need to do is quickly wiping it down every now and then. I've used it on MTBs at Worlds and road bikes in tours and World Cups and in all climactic conditions and I swear by it...
I've tried that Chain-L Lube that What's his name sent me, but I have yet to review it due to lack of positive things to say about it. Only condition I could imagine using it is when there is snow on the ground. On both of my road bikes, after applying and wiping off excess, I still had all of these stringy lines of sticky lube on my rims, chain/seat stays, and seat post. Yes, it sounds like I put too much, but I swear I removed the excess before riding. The lube is like chainsaw oil :o
The value of a clean chain was driven home yesterday as I crossed the street. My chain jammed in the derailleur and promptly snapped, sending me flying into the road. Fortunately the nearest car was distant and stopped in time.
Lessons learned: always wear gloves, even on a short roll to coffee. Don't leave a metal wallet in your pocket. Run a thorough safety check before each ride (and learn more about bike maintenance).
Strangely, I had a full drivetrain cleaning done by the LBS two weeks ago.