Cut and paste from Rock n Roll:
“Put the chain on the big ring in the front, and the small cog on the back.
Apply the lube on the chain, over the top of the cog. Let a nice flow of lube go onto the chain (don’t be cheap). Remember you’re going to clean and lube the chain in one step.
Freewheel the chain backwards, and wipe off all of the dirt and grit that comes up to the surface of the chain. Keep in mind, you can’t wipe off the chain too much, so make that chain shine!
Shift the chain off the big ring, so you can wipe off the chain ring, to clean up the little bit of residue left behind.
For best results, allow your chain to sit a few hours or lube the night before. However, if right after lubing, you have to ride, you have to ride, so go for it. Giving the lube a chance to set gives the lube a bit more life by allowing the protective membrane to fully set-up. Remember, to wipe off you chain after riding regardless if you’re going to re-lube or not. This keeps the chain clean and looking great!”
This is pretty much how I’ve been doing it for years. I think is was Rock n Roll that recommended that you only lubricate the chain when it was getting noisy. They said if there is rust or the chain squeaks it needs lubricant. Otherwise you don’t need to. I know some folks like to oil their chain after or before every ride. Probably overkill. Probably washing dirt down into the interstices of the chain. People that wax chains seem to remove the chain every month or two to perform a deep clean and dunk in melted wax. I don’t remove chains unless it’s getting retired. You can reuse quick links but it’s not recommended by SRAM or Shimano. KMC might be different. Some of these guys punch out a rivet and refuse to use quick links. I suppose that’s OK for a 6 speed chain but not on a modern chain.
To me, Thee most important aspect of lubricating a chain is to wipe the chain before and after. Then wipe it again. Then wipe it one more time.
And never never ever use Phil’s Tenacious oil unless you’re using it for a chainsaw. That stuff is the worst.
June 14, 2021, 7:32 p.m. - Andy Eunson
Cut and paste from Rock n Roll: “Put the chain on the big ring in the front, and the small cog on the back. Apply the lube on the chain, over the top of the cog. Let a nice flow of lube go onto the chain (don’t be cheap). Remember you’re going to clean and lube the chain in one step. Freewheel the chain backwards, and wipe off all of the dirt and grit that comes up to the surface of the chain. Keep in mind, you can’t wipe off the chain too much, so make that chain shine! Shift the chain off the big ring, so you can wipe off the chain ring, to clean up the little bit of residue left behind. For best results, allow your chain to sit a few hours or lube the night before. However, if right after lubing, you have to ride, you have to ride, so go for it. Giving the lube a chance to set gives the lube a bit more life by allowing the protective membrane to fully set-up. Remember, to wipe off you chain after riding regardless if you’re going to re-lube or not. This keeps the chain clean and looking great!” This is pretty much how I’ve been doing it for years. I think is was Rock n Roll that recommended that you only lubricate the chain when it was getting noisy. They said if there is rust or the chain squeaks it needs lubricant. Otherwise you don’t need to. I know some folks like to oil their chain after or before every ride. Probably overkill. Probably washing dirt down into the interstices of the chain. People that wax chains seem to remove the chain every month or two to perform a deep clean and dunk in melted wax. I don’t remove chains unless it’s getting retired. You can reuse quick links but it’s not recommended by SRAM or Shimano. KMC might be different. Some of these guys punch out a rivet and refuse to use quick links. I suppose that’s OK for a 6 speed chain but not on a modern chain. To me, Thee most important aspect of lubricating a chain is to wipe the chain before and after. Then wipe it again. Then wipe it one more time. And never never ever use Phil’s Tenacious oil unless you’re using it for a chainsaw. That stuff is the worst.