precleaning new chains?

Leo Lichtman wrote:
Jacobe Hazzard and Dorkpants disagreed
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
It seems to me if the manufacturers used preservatives that look like
grease, but which need to be cleaned off to insure good chain life,
the chains would come with instructions that say that.

Further to that, is there actually any evidence that the factory grease
collects dirt and clogs more easily than other lubricants? Is there any
evidence that ordinary lubricants + adequate packaging won't ensure
rustproofness of stored chains?

The factory grease provides very long lasting lubrication that works well
in many conditions.

Boatman Wrote:
Does anyone clean the wax or whatever off new chains before installing
them?
What is that stuff?
Boatman The stuff is cosmoline. Yes it's a rust inhibitor, yes it's a grease.
As chain lubes go, I don't think it's especially good stuff, but it
won't hurt. It won't be long before you're cleaning and relubing
anyway. I always clean the chain at installation, but that's just
because I use wax-based lubes.


--
blazingpedals

Boatman Wrote:
Does anyone clean the wax or whatever off new chains before installing
them?
What is that stuff?
Boatman The stuff is cosmoline. Yes it's a rust inhibitor, yes it's a grease.
As chain lubes go, I don't think it's especially good stuff, but it
won't hurt. It won't be long before you're cleaning and relubing
anyway. I always clean the chain at installation, but that's just
because I use wax-based lubes.


--
blazingpedals

On Fri, 29 Oct 2004 02:12:24 -0400, Jacobe Hazzard wrote:

Further to that, is there actually any evidence that the factory grease
collects dirt and clogs more easily than other lubricants?

I've got anecdotal evidence that the factory stuff is rather good.

I changed chains on both the racer and my momma's old three speed a while
back. I cleaned mine and relubed with teflon dry lube. I left hers as is,
except for wiping down the outside.

The factory lube is very durable and still strong on her ride after
several hundred miles. I'll never pre-clean another chain, just wipe the
outside.


from Jobst Brant @ Sheldon's site:

quote

A myth that is difficult to dispell it the story that grease on a new
chain, fresh out of the package, is not a lubricant but rather a
preservative that must be removed. This piece of in bicycling myth and
lore thrives despite its illogic. The largest chain customers are bicycle
manufacturers who ship bicycles ready to use. They can order chains with
any desired lubricant and this is what they use. If there is too much of
it on a chain, the excess can be wiped off with a rag.

/quote

On Fri, 29 Oct 2004 03:54:09 +0000, Boatman wrote:

I might take a little Simple Green on a cloth to it.

I use simple green and a toothbrush on my chain, then a high pressure hose
to blast out the grit. Works great, though you need a nice sunbeam to dry
out the chain afterwards, a hard thing to find this time of year. :P

maxo wrote:
On Fri, 29 Oct 2004 03:54:09 +0000, Boatman wrote:

I might take a little Simple Green on a cloth to it.

I use simple green and a toothbrush on my chain, then a high pressure
hose to blast out the grit. Works great, though you need a nice
sunbeam to dry out the chain afterwards, a hard thing to find this
time of year. :P

Stick it in the microwave.

Bill "high setting, 6 mins." S.

Boatman wrote:
Does anyone clean the wax or whatever off new chains before installing them?
What is that stuff?

Boatman



The stuff is called cosmolene. You can leave it on, but if you want to
use your own brand of lube you're better off removing the cosmolene
first so your stuff can get where it needs to go.

--
My bike blog:
http://diabloscott.blogspot.com/

On Fri, 29 Oct 2004 15:58:23 GMT, "B i l l S o r n s o n"
wrote:

maxo wrote:
On Fri, 29 Oct 2004 03:54:09 +0000, Boatman wrote:

I might take a little Simple Green on a cloth to it.

I use simple green and a toothbrush on my chain, then a high pressure
hose to blast out the grit. Works great, though you need a nice
sunbeam to dry out the chain afterwards, a hard thing to find this
time of year. :P

Stick it in the microwave.

Bill "high setting, 6 mins." S.


Are you kidding? I hope you're kidding...

-B
....let's see, was that 6 minute on high, he said?...

Badger_South wrote:
On Fri, 29 Oct 2004 15:58:23 GMT, "B i l l S o r n s o n"
wrote:

maxo wrote:
On Fri, 29 Oct 2004 03:54:09 +0000, Boatman wrote:

I might take a little Simple Green on a cloth to it.

I use simple green and a toothbrush on my chain, then a high
pressure hose to blast out the grit. Works great, though you need a
nice sunbeam to dry out the chain afterwards, a hard thing to find
this time of year. :P

Stick it in the microwave.

Bill "high setting, 6 mins." S.


Are you kidding? I hope you're kidding...

-B
...let's see, was that 6 minute on high, he said?...

Reuters-- Pennsylvania

A Badger exploded, today, in the hotly contested swing state of
Pennsylvania. Nobody else was hurt; however, several neighbors were
overcome with fur . . . .

On Fri, 29 Oct 2004 18:01:24 GMT, "neil0502" wrote:

Badger_South wrote:
On Fri, 29 Oct 2004 15:58:23 GMT, "B i l l S o r n s o n"
wrote:

maxo wrote:
On Fri, 29 Oct 2004 03:54:09 +0000, Boatman wrote:

I might take a little Simple Green on a cloth to it.

I use simple green and a toothbrush on my chain, then a high
pressure hose to blast out the grit. Works great, though you need a
nice sunbeam to dry out the chain afterwards, a hard thing to find
this time of year. :P

Stick it in the microwave.

Bill "high setting, 6 mins." S.


Are you kidding? I hope you're kidding...

-B
...let's see, was that 6 minute on high, he said?...

Reuters-- Pennsylvania

A Badger exploded, today, in the hotly contested swing state of
Pennsylvania. Nobody else was hurt; however, several neighbors were
overcome with fur . . . .

That would be Virginia, dumbass... oh...uh...I mean.

-B

no, wait, wasn't me...smoke rising...putting out tail...