Bicycle Chain Oil Viscosity

The key with bicycle chain.

Bicycle chain oil viscosity. Sounds good to me. Every cyclist has a preferred method of using chain lube however there are two common methods that seem to be the favorite options. I also use finish line cross country. Whatever kind of lube you use make sure it s designed specifically for bike chains and never use wd 40 since it evaporates quickly and can cause dirt and grime to build up on your chain.

So the oil can have a relatively high viscosity yet penetrate very fast and thoroughly. This is great information. Clean your chain in 5 easy steps articles for some quick simple tips. Be sure to filter the used car oil before applying on chain and bar.

Some bicycle chain lubes will only work if applied to a clean degreased dry chain read the instructions on the oil to check. Motor oil is still being criticized as it is non. You get more lubricant per millilitre with this type of lube and the increased viscosity of the oils means this type of lubricant should last longer and is much less. It has a stronger ability than most wet lubes on the market and although it is formulated with a high viscosity synthetic oil the bottle is made from harmless recyclable components and can be.

How viscosity affects wet bicycle chain lubricant characteristics. Chain lubricants will work on all types of bicycle including road mountain and commuter bikes. Check out our reviews of 11 best bicycle chain lubes in 2020. Engine or gear probably isn t that critical for the low demands of bicycles.

Harvesting the oil while it is still warm will make the filtration process easy and the resulting oil will be clean. Using the best bicycle chain lube available will extend the lifespan of your bike. Check out our how to. Clean your bike and how to.

Used motor oil is not recommended because it lacks adequate viscosity for lubing the chain. Only filtered motor oil should be used. I don t wan t to buy special bike oil for my chain and pay 80x the normal price for specially packaged oil thats the same as a common similar weight oil except for the special label. Motor oil is affordable since it is car oil that has been used.

Even the lowest viscosity motor oil will still be too thick for bicycle chains so adding mineral spirits recommended. The type of oil i e. As can be seen from table 3 low viscosity lube will need to be applied more often but the chain will be a lot cleaner and a lot easier to completely clean before re lubing. To lube a bicycle chain use wet lube if you live in a rainy or snowy climate or use dry lube if you live in an arid climate.

How do i use the chain lube. One manufacturer recommends using petroleum based ep 90 transmission oil if bar oil is not obtainable.