Caught in strong rain, 30 minutes should I re-lube?
#1
Caught in strong rain, 30 minutes should I re-lube?
I waited for chain to dry. After it's fully dried, I rubbed my fingers and flexed the links, rolled the rollers with my fingers and the chain certainly feels like it still has oil in it. I even ran my fingers on the tap water and the ones I touched chain is hydrophobic so there's definitely a bit of oil remaining.
Not only there's litttle bit of oil remaining, The chain is still very clean, no dark residues, no dirt, no rust, just shiny silver.
Does this mean I can pass on the re-lube, wait another few months or wait to get caught in another rain before I consider re-lubing?
Not only there's litttle bit of oil remaining, The chain is still very clean, no dark residues, no dirt, no rust, just shiny silver.
Does this mean I can pass on the re-lube, wait another few months or wait to get caught in another rain before I consider re-lubing?
#2
Senior Member
Pour some lube on a cloth. Give chain a wipe with said cloth. Dispose of cloth in a responsible manner. Done.
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#4
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Chain cleaning is almost a religion to some, completely ignored by others. Some of us commute and tour in rainy climates and don't worry every time the chain gets wet. Besides water, dirt and chemical contaminants from the road are constantly assaulting the chain, as are minute metal particles from the chain itself wearing out. The chain is a consumable. Oil it when it makes noise, check it for wear regularly, replace when needed.
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Yes, relubing would never be a bad thing, but to answer your original question: It depends on what lube you are using. Some lubes don't tolerate rainy rides very well, while some are very good. I can usually tell by sound when my chain needs lube. Any hint of noise above the normal smooth hum does it.
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Nope. Oil rubbed on from outside just stays outside and does nothing other than be cosmetic. No matter what the lubricant, reapplication after rain is necessary.
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Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
#10
Senior Member
I waited for chain to dry. After it's fully dried, I rubbed my fingers and flexed the links, rolled the rollers with my fingers and the chain certainly feels like it still has oil in it. I even ran my fingers on the tap water and the ones I touched chain is hydrophobic so there's definitely a bit of oil remaining.
Not only there's litttle bit of oil remaining, The chain is still very clean, no dark residues, no dirt, no rust, just shiny silver.
Does this mean I can pass on the re-lube, wait another few months or wait to get caught in another rain before I consider re-lubing?
Not only there's litttle bit of oil remaining, The chain is still very clean, no dark residues, no dirt, no rust, just shiny silver.
Does this mean I can pass on the re-lube, wait another few months or wait to get caught in another rain before I consider re-lubing?
#11
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Depending on what your lube is, I too would think you should be lubing your chain more often than every few months. A lot of the lubes now that stay cleaner on your chain will need application every 100 miles and half that for use when in wet conditions. Assuming you wish to stay in what the mfr says gives the ideal benefit for their lube to your chain.
You won't hurt your chain by lubing it too often. Just wipe off the excess on the outside afterwards.
You won't hurt your chain by lubing it too often. Just wipe off the excess on the outside afterwards.
#12
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What the Hey!!! Just lube it Dude. It's gonna be OK...
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#13
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#14
Then after the 2nd month, I removed the chain and removed a chain link for inspection. I found the pins and rollers still have thin film of oil inside that has turned dark gray but still liquid otherwise. Other than the that, the insides look pretty clean. No sandy particulates whatsoever.
I also measured the chain stretch new (before and after) in those few months. So far, so good, no stretch at all after approximately, 500 miles.
I haven't re-lubed yet since the rain. I definitely would if I only have a bit more free time. Just tired all the time from work and other day to day problems!
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I'd start by wiping the chain off; I always collect a lot of road grime on my chain (and frame, and wheels) when I ride in the rain. Or while the roads are still wet.
Unless I'm feeling particularly lazy, I'll re-lube after a heavy rain. If I am lazy, I'll listen for a squeaky chain. Of course, that depends on how heavy is a heavy rain? My heavy rain is at least half an inch of rain in an hour.
Unless I'm feeling particularly lazy, I'll re-lube after a heavy rain. If I am lazy, I'll listen for a squeaky chain. Of course, that depends on how heavy is a heavy rain? My heavy rain is at least half an inch of rain in an hour.
#16
Senior Member
The correct answer follows
If the thought crosses your mind that the chain might need lubrication, why wouldn't you just do it?
If the thought crosses your mind that the chain might need lubrication, why wouldn't you just do it?
#17
Senior Member
Wipe it as dry as you can with a rag.
Place a drop of lube on each link and after a few minutes, wipe it all off again.
Should take less time than writing and reading all the replies.
Place a drop of lube on each link and after a few minutes, wipe it all off again.
Should take less time than writing and reading all the replies.
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