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Basic About Bicycle Chain Lubricants
The Best Bicycle Chain Lubricants for Different Bikes Explained
When you look for bicycle chain lube, you will find different types of products. These items are made of different materials and the bike you own. In addition, each of these products has its own advantages and disadvantages, but you just need to know which one is best for your bike. Most bicycle chains consist of PTFE, carrier fluid, and synthetic oil. However, due to the recent popularity of waxes in lubricants, wax-based lubricants will stay on top for a few years. You will need to clean your chain thoroughly before adding a lubricant.
You will get bike chain lubricants at different prices, depending on your decision whether to go for an expensive or a cheap one. However, if you go for the cheaper option, you may end up spending more money than a quality and expensive product. This can also happen with expensive products, so you need to choose wisely. Let’s learn about the types of lubricants you can buy from the market and more in this article.
Dry Lubricants
If you ride in a dry climate, then this is the right bike chain oil for your vehicle. Dry lubricants are made from ninety percent base oils and ten percent additives and synthetic fluids. Some companies also produce dry wax-based lubricants. These lubricants attract fewer contaminants and therefore have lower friction and are more efficient. The only downside to this type is that it washes off easily when you ride in the rain or through puddles.
Wet Lube.
This bike chain lube is best suited for riding in wet weather. It has a higher ratio of PTFE and synthetic oils. You will get more lubricant per milliliter and the lubricant will increase and not be washed away by water or puddles. The downside to this chain oil is that it attracts dirt and grime more than anything else. If you use this lubricant, you will need to clean your drivetrain on a regular basis for the bike to function properly. If you neglect this cleaning service, then the drivetrain will wear out.
Ceramic Lubricant
This lubricant has gained popularity over the past few years because manufacturers claim it will improve performance. However, it’s not clear what ingredients it contains or what additional benefits people get from using it over other types. However, a company that produces both wet and dry lubricants also produces ceramic chain oil, claiming that the product contains ceramic particles. They also claim it reduces friction and is more effective than the synthetic lubricants commonly marketed. It extends the life of your drivetrain and you save money.
Wax Lubricants
Paraffin-based chain oil is a wax lubricant for industry. This product has been popular for several years. It has been tested and has shown high results in resisting contaminants, extending life and increasing efficiency. One disadvantage of this lubricant is that you need to clean the chain before using the product, otherwise the oil will not stick to the metal and dry properly. This indicates that you must also clean the new chain.
For road bikes
For road bikes, wax-based chain oil is the best. It is effective and keeps the drivetrain clean. You can also use this lubricant in humid climates and the bike will run perfectly. Experts mostly recommend this lubricant because they are very effective. All you have to do is to clean the chain properly before using it. This will prevent corrosion and extend the life of the drivetrain.
For mountain bikes
Dry lubricants are perfect for mountain biking. When you ride in the mountains, your vehicle has to deal with dirt and grime. Only a dry lubricant can prevent this from happening. You can also use better wax-based products and are not limited by the disadvantages of dry lubricants. If you are not willing to clean your bike, then you can opt for standard wet lubricants, but before you buy one, you need to keep in mind that this will damage the life of the drivetrain. Therefore, you must look at your wallet and invest wisely in wax lubricants.
For commuter bikes
For commuter bikes, the best option is a wet lubricant. You can also buy quality fenders to protect the chain from dust and dirt. Additionally, it is important to clean your bike if you want to extend the life of your vehicle.
How to Oil a Bicycle Chain
So the question arises, how do you oil a bicycle chain? To oil the chain, you need to swap in the chainrings and intermediate gears. You can do this by turning the bike upside down or placing it on a stand where you need to gently turn the cranks. You can apply oil to the chain in a steady stream, but experts recommend that dripping on the oil will be more effective. If you add oil one by one, there will be no waste. Once the entire chain is complete, stop the application and return more quickly. This way the oil will reach where it is needed. After ten to fifteen seconds, use a cloth to wipe the remaining oil from the outside of the plate. Finally, you must pedal forward and move the chain in different gears.
How often to oil your bike chain
If you ride your bike almost every day, it is a good idea to clean and lubricate your vehicle regularly. The chain needs to be oiled so that it can provide better performance. People often ask how often to oil a bike chain, to which experts suggest that if you clean and lubricate the chain once a month, it will be well protected and perform better.
The drivetrain and chain are the dirtiest. Therefore, you need to clean these parts regularly even after using wax or dry lubricants. If you neglect the cleaning and oiling procedure, you will receive some bad news, such as
Lower shifting performance
Increased wear and driveline gearing
Reduced chain link flexibility
Chain will wear out faster
Choosing the Right Bicycle Chain Lubricant
Bicycle chain lubricants are key to ensuring the chain runs smoothly when riding. But with a wide range of lubricants on the market, choosing the right product can be a worry. Here are five key factors that will help you choose the right bike chain lubricant for you:
High-quality ingredients: choosing a bike chain lubricant with high-quality ingredients will extend the life of your chain and reduce wear and tear.
Dry lubricants: dry lubricants are ideal in dry riding environments. They won’t attract dirt and mud, keeping your chain clean.
Wet lubricants: In wet or rainy riding conditions, wet lubricants provide better rust and corrosion protection.
Long lasting: Choosing a lubricant with long lasting properties will save you time and energy on your ride by reducing the number of frequent applications.
Environmentally Friendly: More and more riders are concerned about the environment, so choosing an eco-friendly bike chain lubricant is also a smart choice.
Conclusion
You can ride any type of bike (including e-bikes), but regular maintenance of your chain is very important. You can learn about chain oils from the above and invest in the right type of bike lubricant.
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