Re: Caught in rain

cyclintom <cyclintom@yahoo.com> wrote:

On Mon May 5 12:20:09 2025 Roger Merriman  wrote:

zen cycle <funkmasterxx@hotmail.com> wrote:

On 5/4/2025 6:16 PM, Mark J cleary wrote:

So I got caught yesterday in the rain. Not a huge down pour but steady
and light for maybe 25 miles. I never cleaned the bike really but was
thinking, should I re-lube the chain? I went out today road 49 miles
never gave it thought about yesterday. Bike road ok I just wonder how
important it really is? My lube of choice is box store 3 in 1 oil rated
for 1/4 HP applications. Used if for the past 17 years
 
I have been refinishing my kitchen cabinets no time to do routine bike
maintenance but I manage a ride in.

 
Yes, clean and re-lube the chain.
 
3-in-1 is not exactly the greatest choice in lubes ( in fact, it would
be hard to do worse). It's sticky, so it catches and keeps dirt,
resulting in more chain wear since it then acts almost like fine-grade
wet sandpaper. Wet lubes are good for riding in wet conditions since
they stay put, but shouldn't be used for all-around chain lube. If you
don't want to take the time to wax, use a dry-wax liquid like Squirt.
It's relatively inexpensive, lasts a long time, and doesn't attract
dirt. Read about it here.
 
https://bikerumor.com/best-bike-chain-lube/
 
According to them, a 4 oz bottle can last up to 6000 miles with regular
chain cleaning.
 

I don?t get that, but then I use it for the commute bikes which I dislike
cleaning so that it runs clean is much appreciated! Squirt that is.
 
It does wash off if a very wet ride, so you end up reapplying after wet
rides etc, hence I like lots of folks do use wet lubes in winter as the wax
doesn?t last, it does a bit better on the Gravel bike, but is overwhelmed
by the bog riding the MTB gets put though in winter!
 
I have occasionally used 3in1 for that very specific purpose, as its
ability to hang on there on the chain is very good.
 
But yes it?s a poor choice possibly only WD40 spray being worse!

 
 
 
 
Chain lube is a reoccurring problem. I use hot wax augmentated with
teflon powder and Molybdenum disulfate. But like everything else this
ends up washing off eventually
 

Eventually would be rather frequently in UK at least the winters, I do know
folks who use hot wax and so on, but summer only, or the maintenance cost
in time gets too high.

Roger Merriman