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First of all, I apologise, since I know that asking this question will guarantee weeks of muddy, wet slop. However, back to the question in hand, since I’ve ever experienced this problem before. How often do you lube your chain when it’s dry and dusty for weeks on end? Are we still supposed to wash the bike and relube as normal? I remember stories in Singletrack magazine about bike rental shops in USA which didn’t wash their bikes all season - just brushed the drive train to get rid of the dust.
I use Peaty’s all weather lube, so how soon to reapply? In the past, I just wait until it rains, which is normally a day or two, then clean the bike and reappply.
Checks forecast....yep, rain due next week now. But then it is a bank holiday next weekend so thats another nod to guaranteed rain
For me currently its when the chain starts sounding noisier and then its a quick wipe down with a bit of old dry towelling then on with the Squirt
I've been wiping the dust off the chain with a microfibre cloth in-between rides (12-15 miles each). After ride 3 rides, I'd re-apply lube if I'm in a hurry, but generally will give the bike a wash.
580 miles on the chain, zero measurable stretch on a 12" ruler. I think that's due to regular cleaning (though I've had to replace my lower headset bearing again). 🤷♂️
Checks forecast....yep, rain due next week now. But then it is a bank holiday next weekend so thats another nod to guaranteed rain
Not just a bank holiday, but half-term as well! So it will definitely rain.
Hot melt wax. Wipe dust off with microfibre cloth and a squirt if IPA. Keep riding until I can hear the rollers start to get rattly on the bottom of the chain.
I'm currently using Peatys dry lube every few rides and dusting things off between rides.
Any all weather or wet lube results in the drivetrain getting caked in oily dust very quickly but the dry lube is excellent.
So I'm expecting rain next week. To be fair, our local trails need it.
Hot wax, ride 500km, wax again.
Hoover the dust off the bike
Scrape any gunge off the jockey wheels, if any
Stick a bit more dry weather lube on after roughly every 3 rides (trying Peaty's coconut flavour one at the moment), or if it feels a bit dry.
Dry lube immediately before every ride.
Maybe give the bike an occasional wash, to dampen down (pun intended) any mystery creaks during a long dry spell.
I'm going to sound like an advert for Peaty's, but this is what I do after every 3 or 4 rides:
1. Cover chain and cassette with Peaty's Foaming Degreaser
2. Use an old dish scrubbing brush on chain, cassette, chainring and jockey wheels
3. Wash the rest of the bike with Peaty's Loam Foam
4. Dry chain and apply Peaty's All Weather Lube, run it through the gears then remove excess with a rag
If the bike isn't too dirty or dusty I'll just do the chain. I'm in NE Scotland though, so it usually does need a wash.
As mentioned about, the all weather lube is a bit sticky so when runs out I'm going to try their dry lube.
Not just a bank holiday, but half-term as well! So it will definitely rain.
Plus Suffolk Show middle of next week, hurricane season will arrive then!
Brush loose bits off.
Apply Squirt if the rollers have run dry. If they still have wax in then nothing.
Brush loose bits off.
Apply Squirt if the rollers have run dry. If they still have wax in then nothing.
I agree, which is full
just back from a dry, dusty, sandy 5 days on Arran and Islay with the gravel bike, what an awesome trip ! My standard gravel bike lube, Synergetic, did the job well, though ended up pretty black and grimy (it was last degreased a month back probs) so the drivetrain has had a good clean and degrease this morning.
I now have the choice of relubing with Synergetic as usual, or opting for a clean waxy version with Silca Supersecret, as is on the road bike, or, I do have a nearly full bottle of Squirt, that I haven't used probably in the past year since switching to Silca....
Decisions, decisions...
Squirt wax lube.
Just apply and let it dry overnight.
After a few rides, wipe/brush off, then re apply.
Easy and clean.
Finish Line Ceramic Wet - just give the chain a wipe after - currently on the commuter (which is partially off road) and the CX bike. Chain picks up a bit of dust, but it wipes off with an old cotton t-shirt.