@eq asks:
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@ascentale @eq @bikenite #BikeNite A5. Worrying about the sustainability of bicycles is sort of irrelevant in the grand scheme of industrial civilization. Even if everyone on Earth bought and used a bicycle heavily, that would still be a tiny fraction of the environmental impact that the use of PFAS/PFOA on textiles represents.
You can lubricate a chain with jojoba oil, which is actually mostly not "oil" but liquid wax esters.
@gcvsa @ascentale @bikenite The question was not about if I worry about systainability of bicycles, it was about getting rid of second hand engine oil and PFAS. The problem with PFAS is not only the amount that gets off the chain and into the drain/nature when I clean the bike, it is mostly the very concentrated pollution around the production sites.
The problem with old reused engine oil is the sticky dust-grinding wear on the chain that makes me change chains four times per year. #bikenite
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@ascentale @eq @bikenite A5. Wax. I now have two bikes with waxed chains, I won’t go back. I do understand that wax doesn’t do as well in the wet, but I don’t have that problem. I’ve had to put the chain back on a few times, only mildly waxy fingers! #BikeNite
@rand @ascentale @eq @bikenite
Wax for the win.
I carry my bike up / down 4 flights of stairs for every ride and I hate getting oil everywhere. And I find chain wears less. It looks nicer. The cassette, derailleurs, and chain ring stay clean.
I used motorcycle racing wax which is sold as with added solid particulate lube and is a fraction of the same stuff sold for push bikes
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@ascentale @eq @bikenite #BikeNite A5. Worrying about the sustainability of bicycles is sort of irrelevant in the grand scheme of industrial civilization. Even if everyone on Earth bought and used a bicycle heavily, that would still be a tiny fraction of the environmental impact that the use of PFAS/PFOA on textiles represents.
You can lubricate a chain with jojoba oil, which is actually mostly not "oil" but liquid wax esters.
@gcvsa @ascentale @eq @bikenite
I did not know you could use Jojoba oil for that. Then again, I don't have a source for pure jojoba oil.
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@gcvsa @ascentale @bikenite The question was not about if I worry about systainability of bicycles, it was about getting rid of second hand engine oil and PFAS. The problem with PFAS is not only the amount that gets off the chain and into the drain/nature when I clean the bike, it is mostly the very concentrated pollution around the production sites.
The problem with old reused engine oil is the sticky dust-grinding wear on the chain that makes me change chains four times per year. #bikenite
@eq @ascentale @bikenite Why would you even reuse engine oil, in the first place?
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@gcvsa @ascentale @eq @bikenite
I did not know you could use Jojoba oil for that. Then again, I don't have a source for pure jojoba oil.
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@rand @ascentale @eq @bikenite
Wax for the win.
I carry my bike up / down 4 flights of stairs for every ride and I hate getting oil everywhere. And I find chain wears less. It looks nicer. The cassette, derailleurs, and chain ring stay clean.
I used motorcycle racing wax which is sold as with added solid particulate lube and is a fraction of the same stuff sold for push bikes
@MatthewNewell @rand @ascentale @eq @bikenite
Does it last any longer than push bike stuff? I keep reading about re-waxing every 100 miles and definitely can't be arsed with that!
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@rand @ascentale @eq @bikenite
Wax for the win.
I carry my bike up / down 4 flights of stairs for every ride and I hate getting oil everywhere. And I find chain wears less. It looks nicer. The cassette, derailleurs, and chain ring stay clean.
I used motorcycle racing wax which is sold as with added solid particulate lube and is a fraction of the same stuff sold for push bikes
@MatthewNewell @rand @ascentale @eq @bikenite Thanks, this is the route I'll adopt starting next time I pass a motorbike shop! Until then it's one of those light oils with dissolved wax. #BikeNite
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@eq asks:
Q5. Is there something for oiling the chain that is
1. PFAS-free
2. Not old black, second hand engine oil?#BikeNiteQ #BikeNite #BikeTooter #Cycling #MastoBikes cc @bikenite
@ascentale
All those wax that people recommend are good.Need to apply them on clean chains (that's tricky to get). I am trying the new KMC waxed chains to save myself the first degreasing session
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@eq asks:
Q5. Is there something for oiling the chain that is
1. PFAS-free
2. Not old black, second hand engine oil?#BikeNiteQ #BikeNite #BikeTooter #Cycling #MastoBikes cc @bikenite
@ascentale @eq @bikenite A5. I did some experimenting with cooking oil when I was young and in a situation where cooking oil was available but oil meant for bikes was not.
Olive oil would clot but rapeseed oil worked in that situation. -
@MatthewNewell @rand @ascentale @eq @bikenite
Does it last any longer than push bike stuff? I keep reading about re-waxing every 100 miles and definitely can't be arsed with that!
@Pionir @rand @ascentale @eq @bikenite
I do it about as regularly as I used to lube. IE as soon as I notice it needs doing. I am not right headed enough to know how many miles that is - but way over 100! In summer I do that every 3 or 4 days and waxing is not even monthly.
My chain wears is much less so I think I am keeping yo a good schedule
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@ascentale
All those wax that people recommend are good.Need to apply them on clean chains (that's tricky to get). I am trying the new KMC waxed chains to save myself the first degreasing session
@jfparis @ascentale @eq @bikenite
Interesting - can you post update on how you find it?
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@ascentale @eq @bikenite A5. Wax. I now have two bikes with waxed chains, I won’t go back. I do understand that wax doesn’t do as well in the wet, but I don’t have that problem. I’ve had to put the chain back on a few times, only mildly waxy fingers! #BikeNite
@rand @ascentale @eq @bikenite I’m a wax user as well although I’ve ordered two of these - interested to see how well they work. Note the kickstarter is now closed.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cha-bike-lube/cha-the-smart-cycle-lube
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@Pionir @rand @ascentale @eq @bikenite
I do it about as regularly as I used to lube. IE as soon as I notice it needs doing. I am not right headed enough to know how many miles that is - but way over 100! In summer I do that every 3 or 4 days and waxing is not even monthly.
My chain wears is much less so I think I am keeping yo a good schedule
@MatthewNewell @rand @ascentale @eq @bikenite
My approach has always been to slap on Squirt lube when it's noisy & change the chain when it's worn. On my (7sp) road bikes chains are cheaper (£4) than most lube so cleaning is rarely worth it as they last at least 5000 miles with factory grease before stretching (which is years for my road bike usage)
My (11sp) gravel/commuter bike seems to be a slightly different equation. Chains are more (£12) & seem to wear a bit quicker (maybe 3500-4000mi)
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@MatthewNewell @rand @ascentale @eq @bikenite
My approach has always been to slap on Squirt lube when it's noisy & change the chain when it's worn. On my (7sp) road bikes chains are cheaper (£4) than most lube so cleaning is rarely worth it as they last at least 5000 miles with factory grease before stretching (which is years for my road bike usage)
My (11sp) gravel/commuter bike seems to be a slightly different equation. Chains are more (£12) & seem to wear a bit quicker (maybe 3500-4000mi)
@Pionir @MatthewNewell @rand @ascentale @eq @bikenite chain on my "gravel" bike seems to be an annual cost, but this is less about miles ridden and more about how much time it's spent coated in wet clay while riding around epping forest in winter
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@MatthewNewell @rand @ascentale @eq @bikenite
My approach has always been to slap on Squirt lube when it's noisy & change the chain when it's worn. On my (7sp) road bikes chains are cheaper (£4) than most lube so cleaning is rarely worth it as they last at least 5000 miles with factory grease before stretching (which is years for my road bike usage)
My (11sp) gravel/commuter bike seems to be a slightly different equation. Chains are more (£12) & seem to wear a bit quicker (maybe 3500-4000mi)
@Pionir @rand @ascentale @eq @bikenite
Makes sense I guess the 11spd (what I have) are much more delicate
11, 10, 9, 6/7/8, 5, single. It's not surprising that far left wears out quicker, it's noticeably finer
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@Pionir @MatthewNewell @rand @ascentale @eq @bikenite chain on my "gravel" bike seems to be an annual cost, but this is less about miles ridden and more about how much time it's spent coated in wet clay while riding around epping forest in winter
@dan @Pionir @rand @ascentale @eq @bikenite
I am a Chigwell lad at my roots so I know well that claggy clay. My Dad used to claim you could use it for fine detail polishing it was so smooth.
It's been too long since I went mad in Ambresbury Banks (never riding - that would be desecration) but we felt we had our own iron age fort when we were kids.
And the paths round there are great fun - I envy you if you're close by.
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@MatthewNewell @rand @ascentale @eq @bikenite
My approach has always been to slap on Squirt lube when it's noisy & change the chain when it's worn. On my (7sp) road bikes chains are cheaper (£4) than most lube so cleaning is rarely worth it as they last at least 5000 miles with factory grease before stretching (which is years for my road bike usage)
My (11sp) gravel/commuter bike seems to be a slightly different equation. Chains are more (£12) & seem to wear a bit quicker (maybe 3500-4000mi)
@Pionir @MatthewNewell @rand @ascentale @eq @bikenite I also use Squirt lube on nearly all* my bikes. It's some sort of liquid wax lubricant, doesn't play nice with oil lubes, requires a clean, dry chain to begin with.
I was handed a bag of tiny try-me bottles of the stuff, after an event for which I volunteered. Figured I'd try them for free, was surprised how well it works. Chains stay clean, seem to last longer. Does require reapplication nearly every ride. The downside; if my bike gets rained on, or stays wet for hours, Squirt does not do a good job of preventing rust.
* Single speed mountain bike gets oil-based lube, usually Phil's Tenacious, because it gets ridden in all weather, often wet, and that bike gets nearly no maintenance.
I may try Dumonde Tech when I run through this stuff. Historically I've been a fan of the dry lubes. Most recently, the WD-40 bicycle specific lubes, before that, Pro Gold. These are USA brands.
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@eq asks:
Q5. Is there something for oiling the chain that is
1. PFAS-free
2. Not old black, second hand engine oil?#BikeNiteQ #BikeNite #BikeTooter #Cycling #MastoBikes cc @bikenite
@ascentale @eq @bikenite
A5)
If you're coming from the "used motor oil" camp, I'd suggest trying used ATF transmission fluid.
I like the thickness of it: I brush it on (with toothbrush) then wipe-off excessThat said, it will stain your pantlegs red if you brush the chain, and it isn't biodegradeable, so there are probably better choices
Speaking of: I clean my chain with 90C water and washing-up liquid in a Pedros Chain Pig, then blow with compressed air, then lube. No solvents needed.
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@ascentale @eq @bikenite
A5)
If you're coming from the "used motor oil" camp, I'd suggest trying used ATF transmission fluid.
I like the thickness of it: I brush it on (with toothbrush) then wipe-off excessThat said, it will stain your pantlegs red if you brush the chain, and it isn't biodegradeable, so there are probably better choices
Speaking of: I clean my chain with 90C water and washing-up liquid in a Pedros Chain Pig, then blow with compressed air, then lube. No solvents needed.
@NNN Thanks, will try that. Just a compressor needed then, those compressed air cans are realy expensive
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@NNN Thanks, will try that. Just a compressor needed then, those compressed air cans are realy expensive
@eq
Yeah, compressed air is definitely not something everybody has access to.If it's a sunny day, just sling the chain around in a circle for a while, then lay it in the sun.
