Chain maintenance
“What??? I can’t hear you over the sound of your chain!”
Yes, I have actually said that to riding partners. The sound a chain makes is the sound of metal parts wearing against each other. The less a chain is wearing, the less you hear. A noisy chain is an unhappy chain. “Unhappy?” you ask curiously? Yes, a chain can be unhappy. As miserable as a Cubs fan in October (present year excluded.) So, just how can a chain be unhappy, and how can I make it happier?
Consider the chain...it seems to be a fairly simple device, little round things attached by some odd-shaped metal plates on the sides. Its sole purpose is to transfer your power output to your rear wheel. It can do this quietly and efficiently if properly tended to. While that may be an oversimplification and technically correct, the chain does a bit more on a modern bicycle. Today's bicycles, with as many as 12 cogs at the rear wheel and 3 at the front, demand that a chain go through contortions that would cause an Olympic gymnast to fear. Chains are required to make bends and turns that would destroy the chains from only a decade or so back! These turns become worse every time the bike component manufacturers add another gear to our arsenal of speeds, and with those added gears comes more (and worse) potential for cross-chaining. I know, “But I never cross-chain!” you exclaim. I've had customers complain about noise, and I ask them to show me the exact conditions that bring about the noise. “Um, you realize that you are in the small ring in front and the small cog in the rear?” Textbook definition of cross-chaining. This will always bring about noise, and it will prematurely wear your chain, cassette, and chainrings.
Do. Not. Cross-chain.
It's noisy, and it can be expensive. How expensive? That chain? Anywhere from 20 to maybe 70 dollars plus labor to replace. Cassette? 30 to 400 dollars. Those chainrings on the front? 40 to over 90 apiece. You can see how this adds up! Compare this to a seven dollar bottle of chain lube.
Okay, so now you promise you'll never cross-chain again. Another cause of chain noise is dirt, and lack of lubrication. These two issues tend to go hand in hand. Often a customer says to me that he or she thought we lubed the chain at the last tune-up, that tune-up from nine months ago. Yes, we did, but your chain needs regular attention. I'm asked how often to lube, and with what. Two questions with a hundred answers. I'll address the latter first. There are many commercially available bicycle chain lubes on the market. Generally speaking, the best lube is one that gets used. We sell several, come in and discuss your specific riding usage and we can determine the best for you. Many factors play into which is your best fit, including (but not limited to) :
Do you ride on or off road?
Do you ride in wet conditions?
How often do you clean and lube your chain?
Do you store your bike indoors or out?
How many miles do you ride per week?
These and more can help us determine which lube you should use. I feel I should also say, do not go to an auto parts store or agricultural store and buy lube there. Those “lubes” will leave your chain excessively wet and oily, and that attracts dirt and dust which are your chain’s mortal enemy. They will prematurely wear your chain. When you determine (with our help if needed) which lube is best for your bike...use it! Every time your chain is due for lubing, clean it first. We can also assist you in determining just how often you need to lube that chain. (Lubing too often just wastes money, and attracts more dirt.) You don't need one of those fancy mechanical chain-cleaning devices as long as you clean your chain regularly. Just wipe the accumulated dirt and grime from the sides and the rollers as best you can, lube properly (ask us, we can show you), and wipe off any excess lube. If you follow these guidelines, your drive train components will be happier, they will last longer, and they will run more quietly! Then, when we ride together we can hold a conversation without yelling.
Wouldn't that be great?
