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How to Lube a Mountain Bike

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Cleaning and lubing your mountain bike frequently will keep it in good condition and make the parts last longer. How often you do this will depend on how often you ride, and on the kind of terrain you cover. It is a good idea to clean and relube your bike's moving parts after any particularly muddy or dusty ride. If you are out on the trail and notice squeaking, catching or grinding, you may also be able to fix it easily by applying a little lube.

When lubing your bike for maintenance, first, clean the chain, derailleurs, rear columns and chain rings with a brush. Use a chain-cleaning tool and soapy water or a degreasing solution to scrub all the links of your chain, removing dirt and sand.

When the chain is dry, it is ready to be lubed. There are three basic types of lube for mountain bikes.
• Chain wax: This is a "dry lubricant" that does not pick up much dust or sand. It will keep your chain running smoothly, but does not defend against rust.
• Thin oil: Like chain wax, thin oil does not attract as much dust, sand, or dirt as heavy oils and grease do. Thin oil does help to protect your chain against rust. However, thin oil is more prone to gumming than chain wax is, and must be replenished often.
• Grease and heavy oils: Grease and heavy oils do pick up dust, sand, and dirt, which will wear down your chain. Use this kind of lube if you plan to ride only on paved roads.

To apply lube to the chain, simply squeeze from the tube as you rotate the pedals backwards. Also apply lube to both front and rear derailleurs, wherever there are moving parts.

To work the lube around on the derailleurs and chain, get on your bike and ride around the block, shifting gears frequently. Then use a rag or paper towel to wipe off excess lubricant wherever you can see it (including the chain). It has already worked into the insides of the moving parts, so this step just cleans up the outer surfaces.

Resources:

www.utahmountainbiking.com/fix/index.htm

www.store.yahoo.com/webmountainbike/usingchaintool1.html

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