What do you need to oil your bike chain?

Answer 1

Difference between different lubes are quite small. You want to stay away from wd-40, 3-in-one, lube for chainsaws and motor cycle chains. The former are too thin and runny while the others are too sticky and will pick up a pointless amount of dirt. Basically the "best" lube from a practical stand point is the one you use the most regularly - particularly if combined with a wipe down/cleaning of the chain first. An engine oil like what you pour into your car will do fine.

Answer 2

Depends on how clean you want i. Some grease will be good for durability, but too much on the outside will just serve as a crud magnet. Unless you're plannning something special I'd just get a cloth and run the chain through a few times until the excess is wiped off.

Answer 3

Video: How do you lube a bicycle chain?Cleaning and lubing your bicycle chainIf you ride your bike every day, you should clean and lube the chain at least once a month. You want to clean your chain if it is dry, dirty or making noise. Make sure you do this outside, preferably in an alley.

The supplies you will need are a couple of rags, an old toothbrush, a degreaser solution or chain cleaner, and a proper chain lubricant.

Be sure to use proper chain oil, which you can find at your local bike shop or hardware store. Do NOT use motor oil or wax-based lubricants. These lubricants will not properly protect your chain, and they can gum up and damage your chain and bicycle gears.

Before you begin, you will want to shift your gears, so your chain is located in the smallest sprocket on the rear of the bicycle. This will give your chain a little bit of slack and make it easier to clean.

Put your degreaser or chain cleaner on one of your rags. Hold the chain still and wipe the lower rung of the chain gently but firmly with your solvent-soaked rag. Once you have wiped the lower rung of the chain, move the chain backward and repeat until you've wiped the entire chain clean.

You can also purchase a chain cleaning kit for around $15 or $16 at your local bike shop, but a rag and cleaning solution work just as well.

Take your clean dry rag, and wipe your chain again to remove any excess solvent. Your chain needs to be dry before lubing.

Then, you will want to clean the sprockets or gears on your bicycle. Spray your cleaning solution on the gears and let it set for a few minutes to remove any grease or gunk that has built up. Then use a clean rag or a toothbrush to clean in between all the gears. You can purchase a socket brush for this purpose, but a toothbrush works just as well.

Now, you are ready to lube your chain. Shift your bicycle gears into the middle sprocket in both the front and the rear of your bike. Be careful not to use too much oil. It does a good job of spreading itself, so it doesn't take a lot. It is recommended that you use one drop of oil per link on your chain.

Start by lubricating the entire inner circumference of the chain, beginning with the top of the lower rung of the chain. Run the chain backwards while dropping oil on the rollers - one drop per link.

When you are done, shift through all the gears on your bicycle to spread the oil evenly throughout the drive train. Use your rag to gently wipe off any excess oil from your chain.