Why are my chains rusting??

Why are my chains rusting??

Author
Discussion

gangzoom

Original Poster:

7,303 posts

229 months

Thursday 16th February 2023
quotequote all

Anyone got tips to stop new chains from collecting surface rust?? Both chains are 'factory fresh', on two different bikes, both feel like they have oil/?wax on them. But both appear to be collecting rust in less than 200 miles of usage over the last few weeks.

Is this down to salt on the roads, or new chains/cassette not having any oil/wax on them? Will do something this weekend to sort them out but I've not noticed this before with my previous chains/cassettes.




Pando99

122 posts

73 months

Thursday 16th February 2023
quotequote all
It's cause you haven't oiled them and are using the bikein wet wintry/ salty conditions

Get some wet lube on there, every couple of rides. wipe after a wet ride

this will help keep it tip top

nickfrog

22,715 posts

231 months

Thursday 16th February 2023
quotequote all
Yes that looks like a dry chain when the original grease broke down.
Pretty superficial if you have no stiff links and a good clean and lubrication is probably all you need.

Just make sure you don't have any stiff links.

peew

109 posts

184 months

Thursday 16th February 2023
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Also caused by being stored in a damp garage/shed this time of year

JayRidesBikes

1,312 posts

143 months

Thursday 16th February 2023
quotequote all
Clean your chain and keep it lubed.

PH5121

2,001 posts

227 months

Friday 17th February 2023
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Having just bought a new bike I assumed that the chain would come with some protection on, so reading this is very helpful.
On my old bike I've been using Muc Off Wet lube, is there a better product that I could use instead?
Me buying a new bike is rare event so I want to keep it in tip top condition.

Edited by PH5121 on Friday 17th February 10:53

CraigyMc

17,858 posts

250 months

Friday 17th February 2023
quotequote all
PH5121 said:
Having just bought a new bike I assumed that the cahin would come with some protection on, so reading this is very helpful.
On my old bike I've been using Muc Off Wet lube, is there a better product that I could use instead?
Me buying a new bike is rare event so I want to keep it in tip top condition.
If you use chainsaw bar oil, your legs will never be clean again, but the chain will never rust.

nickfrog

22,715 posts

231 months

Friday 17th February 2023
quotequote all
^ new chains come in a sealed bag and are coated with a light grease so that they don't rust in the supply chain. That grease is obviously not ideal as high viscosity, it doesn't go into the rollers/pins.

I use Finish Line lubricants out of habit really. Different viscosities for different times of year.

nd0000

243 posts

134 months

Friday 17th February 2023
quotequote all
There's no magical lube. Just don't mix them because they can congeal.

What's more important is getting into a good habit of regularly cleaning and lubing the drivetrain, and checking chain wear so that you're not forced to replace expensive cassettes every time the chain starts to wear out.

This gives a good description:
https://www.parktool.com/en-int/blog/repair-help/w...

PH5121

2,001 posts

227 months

Friday 17th February 2023
quotequote all
CraigyMc said:
If you use chainsaw bar oil, your legs will never be clean again, but the chain will never rust.
I do have a bottle in the shed (if that's a serious suggestion).

CraigyMc

17,858 posts

250 months

Friday 17th February 2023
quotequote all
PH5121 said:
CraigyMc said:
If you use chainsaw bar oil, your legs will never be clean again, but the chain will never rust.
I do have a bottle in the shed (if that's a serious suggestion).
It is not.

Would likely work, though.

okgo

40,394 posts

212 months

Friday 17th February 2023
quotequote all
I use squirt.

Easy to apply, stays pretty clean too. Wax based.

Scarletpimpofnel

1,087 posts

32 months

Friday 17th February 2023
quotequote all
nickfrog said:
^ new chains come in a sealed bag and are coated with a light grease so that they don't rust in the supply chain. That grease is obviously not ideal as high viscosity, it doesn't go into the rollers/pins.

I use Finish Line lubricants out of habit really. Different viscosities for different times of year.
Should that grease be cleaned off before applying say GT85 PTFE type lube? Or just spray it on top? TY

JayRidesBikes

1,312 posts

143 months

Friday 17th February 2023
quotequote all
PH5121 said:
Having just bought a new bike I assumed that the chain would come with some protection on, so reading this is very helpful.
On my old bike I've been using Muc Off Wet lube, is there a better product that I could use instead?
Me buying a new bike is rare event so I want to keep it in tip top condition.

Edited by PH5121 on Friday 17th February 10:53
Muc off lube is fine. Just clean your chain before applying fresh lube.

dudleybloke

20,553 posts

200 months

Friday 17th February 2023
quotequote all
My gold coloured nitrided chain is a lot more corrosion resistant than a plain s/c chain. It didn't cost much more either.

nd0000

243 posts

134 months

Friday 17th February 2023
quotequote all
Scarletpimpofnel said:
Should that grease be cleaned off before applying say GT85 PTFE type lube? Or just spray it on top? TY
Yes - spray degreaser on a cloth and run the chain through a few times. Try to avoid putting the degreaser directly on the chain.

GT85 is not brilliant (it's a bit too thin), but better than WD40, and definitely better than nothing.

okgo

40,394 posts

212 months

Friday 17th February 2023
quotequote all
Scarletpimpofnel said:
Should that grease be cleaned off before applying say GT85 PTFE type lube? Or just spray it on top? TY
Gt85 is not chain lube. Buy proper lube. You’ve bought a bike, surely buying the correct thing so it runs properly is a no brainier!

adamlstr

420 posts

225 months

Friday 17th February 2023
quotequote all
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Muc-Off-Dry-Lube-50-ml/dp...

Job, jobbed. It also has the added benefit of smelling incredible. biggrin

frisbee

5,294 posts

124 months

Friday 17th February 2023
quotequote all
okgo said:
I use squirt.

Easy to apply, stays pretty clean too. Wax based.
I've switched to using Squirt this year. Infinitely less messy than wet lube!

OutInTheShed

11,190 posts

40 months

Friday 17th February 2023
quotequote all
Chains rust because they are unplated steel with no oil on.
And you get them wet and dirty.

Plated chains are available.

Oil is available in many flavours and colours.

Alternatively, keep the bike in the lounge, near the radiator.