On the same topic, how often do you guys degrease your chain? I'm assuming frequency will change between summer/winter.
I recall someone telling me that degreasing too often will lead to premature chain wear, is this true?
I read something recently where various bicycle chain lubes were tested for their ability to decrease friction. There was no measurable difference between any including water. They also stated that the real purpose of lube was to keep dirt out from the insides of the chain where dirt will accelerate wear.
I have heard it said that cleaning will or can cause the dirt on the outside of a chain to be forced into the inner workings.
The best bet is to use one of the lubes that uses a volotile carrier solution (if that is the correct term) like Prolink or Rock and Roll. Prolink is a heavy oil mixed with mineral spirits. When it is applied the mineral spirits which are thin disolve what's there and clean the chain, you wipe the outside thouroughly where oil does no good except to attract dirt, and the mineral spoirits evaporate leaving the heavy oil where it's needed. Rock and Roll is similar but the lube is in suspension in the thin fluid. The wax lubes are similar.
I use the above two lubes and find that I don't need to clean the chain much if at all. When I do I use the MEC enviro cleaner which is either Simple Green in a different bottle of something really similar. The Citruc cleaners are much more powerful, but I always want a Gin[HTML_REMOVED]Tonic when I use them.
Debate? Bikes are made for riding not pushing.