Is your bike chain making unwelcome noises? Or perhaps it’s leaving greasy marks everywhere? You’re likely in need of some bike chain TLC! If the thought of bike maintenance intimidates you, rest assured, lubing your bike chain is surprisingly easy. You don’t need to be a bike mechanic to master this essential task.
Like many, I used to find bike mechanics and maintenance a bit of a mystery. YouTube tutorials and well-meaning explanations often left me more confused than informed. I longed for a magical solution, a cycling fairy perhaps, to wave a wand and instantly banish the grime from my bike chain. The reality, thankfully, is less fantastical but just as empowering.
While a magical bike fairy might be wishful thinking, learning how to clean and lube your bike chain yourself is absolutely achievable. With the right approach and a few simple tools, you can easily handle this crucial part of bike care. Say goodbye to that dirty, noisy chain and hello to smoother, more efficient rides!
Why is Lubing Your Bike Chain So Important?
You might be wondering, “Is lubing my bike chain really necessary?” It’s true that bikes can function for a while even with a neglected chain. However, ignoring your chain can lead to a host of problems.
A dry, unlubricated bike chain can be noisy, causing irritating squeaks and creaks on your rides. It also leads to rough shifting and accelerates wear and tear on your entire drivetrain – the system that propels your bike forward. In the past, I admit, I wasn’t diligent about chain maintenance. Months would go by without cleaning or lubing. Big mistake! Think of lubing your bike chain like changing the oil in your car. Your car will run without oil changes for longer than recommended, but you’re significantly increasing engine wear and inviting trouble down the road.
The same principle applies to your bike. Regularly lubing your bike chain is a fundamental step in extending the life of your drivetrain components. Proper bike chain lubrication ensures all moving parts are working smoothly, silences annoying chain noises, and prevents that nasty bike grease from spreading everywhere.
Considering the investment we make in our bikes and cycling gear, taking the simple step of cleaning and lubing our chain is a smart way to protect that investment and ensure optimal performance for longer. It’s basic bike maintenance that pays off in smoother rides and fewer costly repairs down the line.
How Often Should You Lube Your Bike Chain?
There’s no strict schedule for bike chain lubrication based on time or mileage. However, for regular cyclists, a deep clean and lube once a month is a good starting point. In between deep cleans, you’ll still want to wipe down your chain and apply fresh lube periodically.
The frequency really depends on several factors: how often you ride, where you ride, and what your chain is telling you. Listen to your bike! Is your chain noisier than usual? Does the lubricant appear gritty or dusty? Are you noticing bike grease transferring to your legs or bike frame? Is shifting becoming less smooth? Have you recently ridden in wet, muddy, or dusty conditions?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, it’s time to lube that chain! You’ll need to lube more frequently if you ride off-road in dusty or muddy environments or if you cycle on roads during wet or wintery weather. Rain, slush, and road salt are particularly harsh on your drivetrain and can quickly necessitate bike chain lubrication.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Lube Your Bike Chain
The following steps outline a thorough drivetrain cleaning and bike chain lubrication process. While a deep clean is recommended periodically, if you’re short on time or have recently cleaned your chain but it’s already dusty, you can skip steps 2-3 and simply wipe down your chain before lubing.
To quickly wipe down your chain, use a lint-free cloth (an old t-shirt works perfectly). Backpedal your bike with one hand while holding the cloth lightly over the chain with the other. Then, proceed directly to Step 4 for lubrication.
This guide assumes your chain is in reasonably good condition. If your chain is rusty, it will require more extensive cleaning.
Step 1: Gather Your Bike Chain Lubing Supplies
Before you begin, gather these items to make the bike chain lubrication process smoother. These are relatively inexpensive items (except for the bike stand, which is optional but highly recommended), and they are a worthwhile investment compared to the cost of replacing drivetrain components.
Essential Bike Chain Lubing Tools and Materials:
- Bike Chain Lube: Choose a lubricant appropriate for your riding conditions (wet or dry).
- Chain Degreaser: Specifically designed to break down bike chain grease and grime.
- Brush: A stiff brush, like an old toothbrush or a dedicated bike cleaning brush, is ideal for scrubbing.
- Bucket or Basin: For soapy water.
- Soap: Dish soap works well.
- Water: For rinsing.
- Lint-Free Cloths or Rags: For wiping and drying.
- Optional but Recommended:
- Bike Stand: Elevates your bike and makes cleaning and lubing much easier.
- Chain Cleaning Tool: A device that encloses the chain and simplifies degreasing.
- Dummy Hub: Replaces the rear wheel for easier chain cleaning (especially with a cleaning tool).
Step 2: Prepare Your Bike for Chain Lubing
Position your bike for easy access to the chain. You can use a bike stand, which is ideal as it lifts the rear wheel off the ground and allows you to rotate the pedals freely. Alternatively, you can simply lean your bike against a wall, with the chain side facing outwards.
Using a bike stand and removing the rear wheel (and inserting a dummy hub) is optional but does simplify the process. Removing the wheel provides more clearance and allows you to use a dummy hub. A dummy hub keeps the chain tension correct and makes it easier to reach all parts of the chain for thorough cleaning.
However, if you prefer a simpler approach, cleaning and lubing your chain while leaning the bike against a wall is perfectly acceptable and requires no special equipment.
Before you start cleaning, shift your bike so the chain is on the smallest cog (the outermost gear on the rear cassette). This positions the chain optimally for cleaning and lubrication.
Step 3: Clean Your Bike Chain
For this step, you’ll need chain degreaser, soapy water, a brush, and optionally a chain cleaning tool. If you’re using a chain cleaning tool, it simplifies the process significantly.
Fill the chain cleaning tool to the indicated fill line with chain degreaser. Clip the tool onto the lower section of your chain, and then slowly rotate the pedals backwards about 30 times. Hold the tool lightly to allow the chain to move freely through it.
If you don’t have a chain cleaning tool, don’t worry! Simply use a brush and chain degreaser. An old toothbrush works well. Apply degreaser directly to the chain and scrub thoroughly, making sure to clean both the top and bottom of the chain links, as well as the sides.
While cleaning the chain, take this opportunity to clean other parts of your drivetrain. Use your brush to remove any built-up grime from your front chainrings, rear derailleur pulleys (the small wheels on your rear derailleur), and the rear cassette (the set of gears on your rear wheel).
After degreasing, it’s important to rinse off the degreaser with soapy water. If you used a chain cleaning tool, empty the degreaser, rinse the tool, and then refill it to the line with soapy water (dish soap works great). Rotate the pedals backwards another 30 times. If you’re using just a brush, dip your brush in soapy water and scrub the chain thoroughly.
Once you’ve washed the chain, rinse it thoroughly with clean water to remove all soap residue.
Finally, dry your chain completely. You can let it air dry, but it’s faster to use a clean cloth or rag. Hold the rag lightly around the chain and backpedal until the chain is reasonably dry. A dry chain is essential for proper lubricant application and prevents rust.
Step 4: Apply Bike Chain Lube
Now for the most important step: bike chain lubrication! Apply lube carefully and sparingly. The goal is to lubricate the rollers – the small cylindrical parts between the chain links.
Apply a small drop of bike chain lube to the top of each chain roller. Avoid over-lubricating. Excess lube on the outside of the chain attracts dirt and grime, leading to a dirty chain faster and requiring more frequent cleaning. You only need a small amount of lubricant to effectively lube chain bike components.
Pro Tip: Most bike chains have a special “quick link” or “master link” that connects the chain ends. This link looks slightly different from the other chain links. Use this link as your starting and ending point. As you apply lube to each roller, start at the quick link and go around the entire chain, ending back at the quick link. This ensures you lubricate every roller just once.
After applying lube, take a clean cloth or rag and lightly hold it over the lower part of the chain. Backpedal a few times to wipe off any excess lube. This removes surface lubricant that can attract dirt while leaving the rollers properly lubricated.
You’ve Successfully Lubed Your Bike Chain!
It’s often surprising how straightforward a task seems once you’ve tried it yourself. I used to feel hesitant about bike chain maintenance, but after learning how simple it is to lube chain bike parts, I realized it’s a bike maintenance task I can confidently handle.
While there are certainly more complex bike repairs best left to a bike shop, cleaning and lubing your bike chain is definitely something you can do at home. Breaking down the process into these manageable steps makes bike chain lubrication accessible to everyone. You can confidently take charge of this essential aspect of bike care and enjoy smoother, quieter rides!
More Helpful Bike Maintenance Resources
About The Author
Stacy Ann Smith is a New England-based cyclist passionate about cycling. She founded Sascy Cycling to encourage women to embrace their bodies through cycling. Beyond cycling, Stacy is a high school history teacher and enjoys family time with her husband and son. For more women’s cycling tips and to learn about Stacy, visit Sascy Cycling at www.sascy.com.
