Bottle or Dropper for Bicycle Lube
02-05-23, 07:52 PM
#1
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Maryland
Posts: 347
Bikes: Nashbar Race SIS, Spalding Road Step Through Single Speed, Kent Road Single Speed, 630 Cruiser, Fuji Odessa mountain bike
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 109 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Bottle or Dropper for Bicycle Lube
Hi,
Using 3 in 1 oil. Feel that the oil drops too much at a time when trying to lube a chain. What bottle or dropper should I get to transfer the oil into, and where do I get it?
Using 3 in 1 oil. Feel that the oil drops too much at a time when trying to lube a chain. What bottle or dropper should I get to transfer the oil into, and where do I get it?
02-05-23, 10:29 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Walnut Creek, CA
Posts: 760
Bikes: 1969 Peugeot PX10, 1992 Della Santa, Linus Roadster 8, Biria 700C ST-8
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 794 Post(s)
Liked 508 Times
in
322 Posts
Take an old fashioned broom, like with real or plastic straws. Cut off one. Open your oil container and insert straw. Lift up and hold over the desired location and watch a drop or two fall into place. I just used this technic to free a sticky lock on a U-lock. Worked great. Enjoy.
02-06-23, 11:13 AM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 982
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 506 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 639 Times
in
357 Posts
Change the angle of the oil container and just touch the link when a little oil forms on the tip. You don't need to wait for a free drop to happen. Alternatively, mix the oil 1/3 (or thinner) with odorless mineral spirits to get a thin lube that penetrates well and once you wipe it off and the solvent evaporates, you only have lube inside the chain where it is needed.
Likes For KerryIrons:
02-06-23, 11:32 AM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bastrop Texas
Posts: 4,482
Bikes: Univega, Peu P6, Peu PR-10, Ted Williams, Peu UO-8, Peu UO-18 Mixte, Peu Dolomites
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 967 Post(s)
Liked 1,631 Times
in
1,047 Posts
Yeah!!! Another chain lube question!!! Love it!
ATF in a dropper bottle. Generously lube the chain. Don't worry about the drops. The drops tell ya its lubed. Now wipe it off and clean it up. Easy Peasy.
Of course... You Know This... Ha
I have to Lube/Clean my chain regularly as it picks up dirt rather quickly. I don't really ride in the dirt either but my routes are very dusty. I don't really clean my chain either. Lubing with ATF penetrates deeply into the chain and loosens all the crud for a good wipe. I have used paraffin, special lubes both wet and dry, and have found ATF the best for my needs. Yep... I am a cheap Bastard too...
ATF in a dropper bottle. Generously lube the chain. Don't worry about the drops. The drops tell ya its lubed. Now wipe it off and clean it up. Easy Peasy.
Of course... You Know This... Ha
I have to Lube/Clean my chain regularly as it picks up dirt rather quickly. I don't really ride in the dirt either but my routes are very dusty. I don't really clean my chain either. Lubing with ATF penetrates deeply into the chain and loosens all the crud for a good wipe. I have used paraffin, special lubes both wet and dry, and have found ATF the best for my needs. Yep... I am a cheap Bastard too...
__________________
No matter where you're at... There you are... Δf:=f(1/2)-f(-1/2)
No matter where you're at... There you are... Δf:=f(1/2)-f(-1/2)
Likes For zandoval:
02-06-23, 11:40 AM
#5
I'm good to go!
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,992
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6196 Post(s)
Liked 4,811 Times
in
3,319 Posts
I don't worry about too much lube. I wipe off the excess after I've finished.
02-06-23, 02:22 PM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: northern Deep South
Posts: 8,904
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2604 Post(s)
Liked 1,933 Times
in
1,213 Posts
Just drip the oil on the inside of the chain as you back-pedal, 2-3 turns of the crank. Let it sit a few minutes, then wipe the excess off the outside of the chain with a (pick one) rag, paper towel, anything else absorbent and kind of clean you have available. Losing the excess oil may cost you $1 a year -- it's not worth your time to be parsimonious with the oil.
02-06-23, 03:25 PM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,174
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 381 Post(s)
Liked 145 Times
in
93 Posts
Yeah!!! Another chain lube question!!! Love it!
ATF in a dropper bottle. Generously lube the chain. Don't worry about the drops. The drops tell ya its lubed. Now wipe it off and clean it up. Easy Peasy.
Of course... You Know This... Ha
I have to Lube/Clean my chain regularly as it picks up dirt rather quickly. I don't really ride in the dirt either but my routes are very dusty. I don't really clean my chain either. Lubing with ATF penetrates deeply into the chain and loosens all the crud for a good wipe. I have used paraffin, special lubes both wet and dry, and have found ATF the best for my needs. Yep... I am a cheap Bastard too...
ATF in a dropper bottle. Generously lube the chain. Don't worry about the drops. The drops tell ya its lubed. Now wipe it off and clean it up. Easy Peasy.
Of course... You Know This... Ha
I have to Lube/Clean my chain regularly as it picks up dirt rather quickly. I don't really ride in the dirt either but my routes are very dusty. I don't really clean my chain either. Lubing with ATF penetrates deeply into the chain and loosens all the crud for a good wipe. I have used paraffin, special lubes both wet and dry, and have found ATF the best for my needs. Yep... I am a cheap Bastard too...
02-06-23, 05:43 PM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bastrop Texas
Posts: 4,482
Bikes: Univega, Peu P6, Peu PR-10, Ted Williams, Peu UO-8, Peu UO-18 Mixte, Peu Dolomites
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 967 Post(s)
Liked 1,631 Times
in
1,047 Posts
Yes... Just regular ATF. One quart will last ya forever. Its a very good cleaner and has just enough viscosity that it can still be a lubricant. I have more or less consolidated my shelf of POL's. I end up using the same lubricants for almost all of my stuff, gas powered engines, electric devices, guns, autos, and bicycles. It's all boiled down to Marine Grease, 5w-20, Chain Bar oil, ATF, PB-Blaster, and Anti-Seize compound. I do know there is better stuff out there but how much better... Meh...
__________________
No matter where you're at... There you are... Δf:=f(1/2)-f(-1/2)
No matter where you're at... There you are... Δf:=f(1/2)-f(-1/2)
02-10-23, 06:36 PM
#9
Senior Member
On a route like the GAP or C&O, the lubing is also cleaning the stone dust off. I carry bar oil in a little dropper bottle I found in a cosmetics travel kit at the pharmacy. I use plenty of bar oil and destroy a handful of paper napkins wiping the chain down. On the primitive campsites I also lube up the pivot points on the pumps, makes a difference.
02-10-23, 09:16 PM
#10
Grupetto Bob
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Seattle-ish
Posts: 6,225
Bikes: Bikey McBike Face
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2585 Post(s)
Liked 5,644 Times
in
2,922 Posts
Wow, 3 in 1 oil takes me back to the 70s and 80s and my Schwinn Varsity and Continental. My how things have changed in chain lube:
__________________
Road 🚴🏾♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾♂️
Road 🚴🏾♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾♂️
02-11-23, 07:43 PM
#11
rebmeM roineS
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Metro Indy, IN
Posts: 16,216
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 653 Post(s)
Liked 347 Times
in
226 Posts
Wiki says 3 in 1 was originally formulated in 1894 for bicycles. So of course there are still folks using it for bikes. I have a container of the sae 20 electric motor version that I’ve used on various things, including electric motors and bike mechanisms - but not chains - for a long time.
__________________
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
02-11-23, 08:32 PM
#12
Am-a-tour
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: NOVA
Posts: 126
Bikes: 2020 New Albion Privateer, 1983 Schwinn Super Sport, 2022 Rivendell Atlantis
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 44 Post(s)
Liked 65 Times
in
40 Posts
On a route like the GAP or C&O, the lubing is also cleaning the stone dust off. I carry bar oil in a little dropper bottle I found in a cosmetics travel kit at the pharmacy. I use plenty of bar oil and destroy a handful of paper napkins wiping the chain down. On the primitive campsites I also lube up the pivot points on the pumps, makes a difference.
02-11-23, 08:47 PM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,095
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1034 Post(s)
Liked 1,292 Times
in
744 Posts
My best advice regarding the GAP and keeping your drivetrain clean, is to use fenders. My wife and I used to ride is about once a week, and I have done the entire ride from Pittsburgh to DC. I hated cleaning her chain after each ride. Mine stayed clean. I have a Surly LHT with full fenders. She had no fenders. hers soon got fenders. No more problem. The dust from the GAP is very abrasive. It's nice not having it all over the drivetrain anymore.
02-12-23, 08:18 AM
#14
Am-a-tour
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: NOVA
Posts: 126
Bikes: 2020 New Albion Privateer, 1983 Schwinn Super Sport, 2022 Rivendell Atlantis
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 44 Post(s)
Liked 65 Times
in
40 Posts
That's certainly part of the plan. Good call.
My best advice regarding the GAP and keeping your drivetrain clean, is to use fenders. My wife and I used to ride is about once a week, and I have done the entire ride from Pittsburgh to DC. I hated cleaning her chain after each ride. Mine stayed clean. I have a Surly LHT with full fenders. She had no fenders. hers soon got fenders. No more problem. The dust from the GAP is very abrasive. It's nice not having it all over the drivetrain anymore.
Likes For nick_a:
02-12-23, 12:43 PM
#16
climber has-been
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Posts: 7,111
Bikes: Scott Addict R1, Felt Z1
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3432 Post(s)
Liked 3,567 Times
in
1,793 Posts
If you're trying to do precision lube dropping, it's hard to beat a squeeze bottle with a metal needle tip:
__________________
Ride, Rest, Repeat. ROUVY: terrymorse
Ride, Rest, Repeat. ROUVY: terrymorse
Likes For phughes:
02-12-23, 02:39 PM
#18
Senior Member
I have thought about fenders, but... It already has a little toe overlap. I spoke to the designer/builder, and he vehemently disparaged fenders, so I just bear the cross of a filthy chain with magnanimity.
02-12-23, 09:15 PM
#19
Grupetto Bob
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Seattle-ish
Posts: 6,225
Bikes: Bikey McBike Face
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2585 Post(s)
Liked 5,644 Times
in
2,922 Posts
Unlike Terry, I use this:
__________________
Road 🚴🏾♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾♂️
Road 🚴🏾♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾♂️
Likes For rsbob:
02-13-23, 07:47 AM
#20
Randomhead
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Happy Valley, Pennsylvania
Posts: 24,399
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Liked 3,699 Times
in
2,519 Posts
I wish it was easier to find syringe caps.
3 in 1 isn't a very good chain lube. And I hate the smell. But I guess anything is better than nothing.
3 in 1 isn't a very good chain lube. And I hate the smell. But I guess anything is better than nothing.
