Hello! I am very new to road bikes, and back when I had a MTB my dad would do the maintenance for me, although after watching a lot of YouTube videos I know a bit about how to do the bare minimum.
Usually before I go riding, I check if all the gears are working properly and if the bike isn’t overly noisy and fill the tyres back to my desired pressure (I ride 2 or less per week so usually every ride has a 1 week distance).
After I’m done I usually wash my bike (be it with soap and water, or just clean the wheels themselves with water and clean the frame with WD40 to remove grime and whatnot), yet I haven’t lubricated the chain myself (however since I got it, it has been lubricated 2 times by the bikeshop and a friend). However, my dad offered me his old chain lubricant, although it’s OLD. As in, he bought it a long time ago, yet has been using it since.
Is it worthwhile to even use it since it’s old? MTBs don’t have that high of a maintenance (considering that we only ever did light trails, mostly rode on road) or the same cost as road bikes, so idk if it’s worth bothering. The lubricant is on the picture.
by simpuru_clk
14 Comments
Ah forgot to add to the post but I’d only really use it on the chain. Since I have washed it with water a few times some of the lubricant has gone off. I have owned the bike since April. If I was to use it, I would probably apply it shortly after cleaning it.
Any port in a storm as they say.
It won’t hurt nothing
You should be cleaning the chain with soap and a brush and lubricating every 4-5 rides at least. This chain lube is decent, but age does affect some lubes. I would get a new bottle, it’s not expensive at all. Apply a drop to every roller in the chain, and then wipe off the chain with a clean rag.
Edit: I am concerned about your last statement about MTB not requiring the same maintenance as road bikes. What do you mean? All bikes of all types and price points require the same maintenance. Regular cleaning and lubrication of the drive train is exactly the same for all bikes. The only difference between a Walmart mountain bike and a $6000 road bike in terms of maintenance, is that the brakes are probably a different style.
Finish line make great stuff, no problem using it even if it’s old.
>However, my dad offered me his old chain lubricant, **although it’s OLD**.
I don’t know how chain lube behave when it’s **old**. ( not sure if they have a “best use” date )
If it looks very sticky, it’s probably too old…
in general, you use “wet” lube in wet conditions; it’s more resistant to water.
If you ride in dry conditions, wet lube will probably attract more dust and dirt.
Wash your bike, clean the bike chain and when it’s dry, apply 1 drop per chain links.
That lube is outstanding especially in wet conditions. It’s oil so you can put some in a tiny dropper and use it on pivots and whatnot also. I also use it on the innards of a sturmey archer hub (not the bearings), and for the pawls of hubs.
If you’re always riding in dry dusty conditions…eg dusty trails….you can probably find something more suitable for the chain but still hang onto the bottle for whenever you just need oil. Heck you could even use it on door hinges and the like.
I don’t think it cares about age. The bottle I use is several years old and I’ve never seen any difference. Just use it.
Don’t use WD40 on your bike. Certainly not regularly.
All the cool kids have moved on to Downcountry lubricant
I still have a bottle of this. It’s kinda water resistant, but OTOH it’s hopelessly sticky and a dirt magnet. I only use it for lubing things like derailleur pivots these days.
I really like Finish Line wet. It lasts a long time. The downside is the chain gets really dirty. It’s a good choice imo.
Use it for muddy/ wet roads and clean the chain thoroughly right after the ride.
Lubing your chain with anything is 98% of the way there. People will then argue until they pass out on that last 2%!
The finish line products are pretty cool to be honest! Your dad knows stuff!
I go with the red stuff which is dry lube. Perfect for the summer you have nothing sticking to your chain causing noise or building up these grime chunks! For the winter i choose what you got there in the photo. As long as the bottle is not half filled with sand It will do its job dont worry!
People say wax is the Best lubricant for Road bikes, i does need to be put on often tho.
As for me, i Just use Basic shimano teflon oil, and i do full cleaning and New apply every 300-400km. To clean it i have to remove the chain and put it into container with degreaser, which is a bit troublesome. But it work for me.
Note that the Basic lubricant is very sticky and if you ride on wet conditions, it gets gunked almost in an instant, but i look for weather forcasts and make sure never to ride in wet conditions.