Getting the Best performance from your Bike
While racking up the kilometres on your bike with a religious schedule of weekly /daily rides is developing performance improvement on your bike, it is not the only factor that can take you next level in cycling.
Keeping your bike maintained to allow the components to give you the best “As New” performance outcome is also an essential ingredient for the pursuit of improvement. There are many areas on your bike that can gradually deteriorate, and robbing you of wattage that can build frustration along the road of performance improvement.
Lubrication: Keeping your chain correctly lubricated with a bicycle specific chain lubricant is one of the critical elements of bike maintenance, component preservation and rider performance.
Without Bike Chain Lube: A dry chain will let out an ear-piercing squeal and won’t shift smoothly. Eventually, it will rust, and it could snap mid-ride.
Chain Lubrication Intervals.
This will vary depending on the brand and work purpose of the lubricant, some will target a very clean outcome for the chain and gears, others will aim at durability between re-application. A happy medium for a wax based lubricants is 8 to 10 hours of operation. You need to work out your own schedule based on your weekly ride routine.
How to Lube a Bike Chain.
Soak a clean rag with degreaser, such as a Citrus degreaser, grasp the chain with the rag as you backpedal to remove grime from the rollers and side plates, good idea to use a glove doing this. Repeat until the chain is clean. Then, dry the chain using a clean rag and the same technique you used to clean it. To apply bike chain lube, deposit a drop on the top of each roller as you slowly backpedal for a few revolutions, so the lube has a chance to work its way in. Wipe off excess lube—if you don’t, it can attract more dirt to your chain. Use a light, waterproof lube such as a Wax based lubricant. If you are caught in rain or wet road conditions it is always advised to re-apply chain lubricant at the end of your ride. Do yourself a favour and your bike chain for better ride performance.
Never Use: Motor oil—It contains acids and particles of metal that can compromise a chain’s strength and cause it to wear more quickly.
We stock and recommend a number of Bicycle Chain Lubricants that focus on a spectrum of desired chain maintenance outcomes, talk to us about what is best for your circumstance.
Ride Mechanic Bike Mix
Squirt Wax Lubricant
Rock’n’Roll Gold
Muc-Off
Until Easter Bicycle Riders are offering 20% OFF All Bike Chain Lubricants we have in stock
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