Boeshield T-9 Lubricant ?

[Bob]

Hi,

Son and daughter in law now have brand new bikes.

Would like to get them to learn a bit about the necessity and
desirability of lubricating the chains.

a. Is Boeshield T-9 what I want to get them ?
Or,...?

b. How does one use it ? How often ?

Necessary to get rid of old lubricant first,
or O.K. to just add a few drops to a rag and go over the chain with
it (and not worry about what is on it already) ?

c. Also use on the gear Sprockets ?

Thanks,
Bob

[Frank Krygowski]

"Best way to lube a bike chain?" is usually good for three weeks of
argument on rec.bicycles.tech. Some say it's a religious question.

You might start here http://sheldonbrown.com/chains.html although it
may have too much detail for you. And everyone will disagree with one
or another aspect of it.

First, the chain needs lubrication only on its inside surfaces, i.e. the
pins and pivots and rollers. Any oil on the outside surfaces just
collects black gunk on the chain and sprockets and transfers it to the
rider. That grit also grinds down the metal. Trouble is, it's not
super easy to get the chain's "guts" lubed and keep the outside clean.

Second, almost any oil will do OK, and some of us get very good service
with non-oil, wax-based lubricants. Stay away from super-thin stuff
like WD-40.

Third, don't do it too often. I do it when I hear the first quiet
squeaks. Extra lube really doesn't help; it just attracts dirt, and
dirt shortens chain life.

Easiest way is probably to put newspaper on the floor under the bike,
then wipe the chain down thoroughly with a rag to reduce the amount of
grit. (It's OK to have WD-40 on the rag at this point, as a cleaning
agent.) Then using the thin red "straw" that comes with most spray
lubes, spray sparingly with whatever magic solution you like as you
backpedal the chain. Be careful to keep the spray off your rims, tires,
brakes, etc. Then wipe off as much oil as you can by backpedaling the
chain through a thick rag or a bunch of paper towels. Try to get the
outside really dry. Maybe clean the black gunk off the sprockets, too.

Some people always clean their chain before they lube it, either by
hooking a plastic chain-cleaning gizmo onto their bike (it's like a
solvent tank with rotating brushes inside) or by taking the chain off
the bike and soaking it in solvent, etc. This is supposed to make the
chain and sprockets last longer. You might do this if the bikes are
ridden a lot and have pricey equipment. For most people's bikes, I
don't think it's worth the trouble. Chains aren't very expensive to
replace.

Some people prefer to use a one-drop-at-a-time applicator, like an
eyedrop bottle, to put oil only on the pivot points of the chain. It's
more finicky than spraying, but the chain will stay cleaner. Again,
wipe it down as much as possible afterwards.

Full disclosure: My chain lube procedure is much different than any of
the above, but only a real enthusiast would consider it.

--
- Frank Krygowski