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From: Zen Cycle <funkmaster@hotmail.com>
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.tech
Subject: Re: Caught in rain
Date: Wed, 7 May 2025 07:24:50 -0400
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On 5/7/2025 2:57 AM, James wrote:
> On 7/5/25 16:49, James wrote:
>> On 7/5/25 06:59, Zen Cycle 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.
>>>
>>> This just caught my eye
>>> https://bikerumor.com/simplyfast-123bike-lube-cube-claims-to-be- 
>>> cleanest-easiest-way-to-lubricate-a-chain/
>>>
>>> Apparently it's a block of wax that you hold in place on the chain 
>>> while rotating the pedals backwards. There aren't any real user 
>>> reviews yet, seems to me it's missing a rather significant point of 
>>> getting in between the rollers and pins.
>>>
>>> Might be worth a try though at MSRP of $10. Certainly couldn't be 
>>> worse than 3-in-1.
>>>
>>> https://www.event-gear.com/simplyfast-s-cube-an-all-new-way-to-lube- 
>>> your-chain/
>>>
>>> I think I'll spring for it and try it on my commuter, then report back.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>> I think it will be an utter waste of time to just rub a block of wax 
>> over the outside of the chain.  The parts that really need lubrication 
>> are inside the rollers.  The pin to inside plate bearing surface, 
>> particularly, but also between the plates.
>>
>> Unless you heat the chain before rubbing the block on it, the 
>> lubricant won't reach the parts that need it.

yup. I don't know how well this product may soften and/or flow. But what 
the hell, I'll give it a try.

>>
>> The moaning about cooking chains taking hours with solvents and so on 
>> is complete rubbish.  Simply do not use solvents.  Dump the dirty/dry 
>> chain in the hot lubricant.

Nope. First off, cleaning a chain shouldn't take hours. Second, leaving 
grit in between the chain bits and sealing then there with wax is as bad 
as using WD 40.

>> It doesn't take long to remove the chain with a quick link.  I never 
>> bother cleaning with solvents.  Just immerse the chain in hot wax+oil 
>> for a few minutes, then remove it from the wax+oil and set it on a 
>> piece of cardboard or a plastic ice cream container lid to drain and 
>> cool enough for you to handle.
>>
>> Within 5 minutes you can be putting the chain back on the bike.
>>
>> I don't even bother removing the factory grease, which for Campagnolo 
>> chains is fine for at least a thousand kms.  Shimano factory chain 
>> lube is just oil.  It needs wax treatment after the first couple of 
>> rides - or prior to the first ride.
>>
>> Ok, it's not as fast as dripping oily stuff on the outside of the 
>> chain, but it's not terribly slow and does a much better job.
>>
>> I use 50/50 mix of paraffin wax (candle wax) and gear oil.  Use 
>> scented candles if you want a sweet smelling ride  ;-)

I rinse mine for a few minutes in a coffee can with brake cleaner 
(https://www.grainger.com/product/CRC-Brake-Cleaner-Solvent-35WT64) then 
drop it in an ultra sonic cleaner for 15 minutes. I can do several 
chains at a time.

Take them out, let them dry (the ultrasonic cleaner is heated so they 
dry quickly) then hot dip in the wax. I keep quite a few chains in 
rotation so waxing 4 or so at a time generally takes about an hour (less 
than 30 minutes or so for the cleaning portion of 4 chains), and a lot 
of that is waiting so I do other stuff.

>>
> 
> 
> I put a new Campagnolo 11s chain on my gravel bike last October.  Since 
> then I've raced a UCI gravel race (137km) and another gravel race over 
> terrain that was more suited to a mountain bike, with creek crossings 
> and descents you couldn't walk down without sliding. 

What race was that? We have a race up here called Rasputita. Northern 
Vermont in the spring -  a combination or mud, snow, ice, and big 
fucking hills, for 60 miles. I did it once in 2010....never again....

> In addition, I 
> haven't ridden any other bike this summer (southern hemisphere), so it 
> has clocked up 6 months of riding.  Close to 5000km.  Maybe 30% on 
> gravel roads.
> 
> I measured 12 inches of chain yesterday, and there is no (zero) 
> measurable elongation to report.  (The chain may have started undersize).
> 
> I only bother to lubricate the chain once it sounds dry.



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