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Caught in strong rain, 30 minutes should I re-lube?

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Caught in strong rain, 30 minutes should I re-lube?

Old 04-02-22, 04:10 AM
  #1  
couldwheels
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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?
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Old 04-02-22, 04:39 AM
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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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Old 04-02-22, 04:40 AM
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Thanks. Sounds very easy to do but would the oil get inside the rollers that way?
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Old 04-02-22, 06:02 AM
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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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Old 04-02-22, 06:31 AM
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It can't hurt, and it will provide peace of mind. Re-lube.
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Old 04-02-22, 07:02 AM
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Originally Posted by freeranger
It can't hurt, and it will provide peace of mind. Re-lube.
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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Old 04-02-22, 07:04 AM
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Originally Posted by couldwheels
Thanks. Sounds very easy to do but would the oil get inside the rollers that way?
No, I wouldn't think that would be effective.
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Old 04-02-22, 08:17 AM
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Originally Posted by couldwheels
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.
If shiny includes your rollers too, that's a sure sign it needs more lube.
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Old 04-02-22, 08:41 AM
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Originally Posted by couldwheels
Thanks. Sounds very easy to do but would the oil get inside the rollers that way?
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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Old 04-02-22, 09:11 AM
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Originally Posted by couldwheels
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?
You're kidding, right? You should be lubing your chain once every week or so whether or not it gets wet.
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Old 04-02-22, 11:47 AM
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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.
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Old 04-02-22, 11:57 AM
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What the Hey!!! Just lube it Dude. It's gonna be OK...
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Old 04-02-22, 07:13 PM
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Originally Posted by cxwrench
You're kidding, right? You should be lubing your chain once every week or so whether or not it gets wet.
Wouldn't that depend on how many miles per week you ride?
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Old 04-03-22, 10:27 AM
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Originally Posted by cxwrench
You're kidding, right? You should be lubing your chain once every week or so whether or not it gets wet.
A few months ago I was doing around 60 miles per week. For two months I did not re-lube the chain because I did not get caught in any rain. The first month, I was wiping the chain down with rag after every ride. Then I stopped wiping down the chain because the chain never gets dirty anymore. I suppose most of the oil have finally run out.

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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Old 04-04-22, 07:36 AM
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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.
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Old 04-04-22, 01:30 PM
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The correct answer follows

If the thought crosses your mind that the chain might need lubrication, why wouldn't you just do it?
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Old 04-04-22, 02:48 PM
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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.
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