|
Basic
Chain Care
 he
chain is one of the most important parts of your
bike. A bicycle chain has more than 500 parts, all
helping transmit your power to the rear wheel. With proper
cleaning and lubrication, it will perform this task efficiently
for thousands of miles. But if you neglect it and allow the
chain to become dirty and dry, expect sluggish pedaling, poor
shifting, and accelerated wear to teeth on the freewheel and
chainrings.
There are almost as many theories about chain
maintenance as there are chain parts. To find out what manufacturers recommend, we asked
six of the biggest: Regina, Sedis, Shimano, SunTour, HKK, and Daido (DID). What follows is
a compilation of their advice.
Quick service
If you ride frequently, your chain should be
lubricated weekly and after every rainy ride. Never allow the chain to become dry and
squeaky.
Use a low-viscosity penetrating lubricant that
doesn't leave a tacky film on the chain's surface. SunTour USA's technicians recommend
Super Lube. HKK suggests Tri-Flow or WD-40. Daido favors WD-40. (SunTour also recommends
hot paraffin baths; the others were unfamiliar with this method. ) Choose your lubricant
and follow these steps:
1. Put the bike in a work stand or position it so
the crank can be turned. Shift the chain to the smallest freewheel cog and largest
chainring.
2. With your left hand, hold a rag (paper towels
shred) around the chain between the rear derailleur and chainring. Use your right hand to
turn the crank backward. After several revolutions, change to a clean part of the rag and
continue turning.
3. Lightly spray lubricant on the portion of chain
atop the freewheel cog as you slowly turn the crank backward several revolutions. Avoid
excessive overspray. Next, position the spray nozzle above the rear derailleur. Spray the
opposite side of the chain as you turn the crank.
4. Use a clean rag to wipe lubricant
from the chain's surface, as in step 2. When you're finished, the chain should appear
clean but not wet. Lubricant belongs inside the links, not outside where it gathers dust
and dirt. |
