sticky chain lube?

[Donn12]

My new CX bike has very sticky almost glue like chain lube. I have never heard of or seen this before and I am thinking it will pick up a bunch of dirt and dust. I normally use finish line dry teflon lube. Am I missing something? BTW I did google sticky lube but didn't see anything related to bikes!

[AlanE]

Just sounds like some excess lube. I notice this often with new chains. Wipe off the excess. The only place that a chain needs lubricant is on the internal surfaces.

[nOOky]

If it's a new bike you can spray the chain with WD-40 while holding a rag underneath and turning the crank to get that sticky stuff off without too much of a mess. Then use your normal lube.
It does attract dirt and even very small gravel chips!

[beeristasty]

All the new chains I've bought come that way. They say that the super sticky mess is actually a good thing, as it stays in between the rollers and plates, preventing crud from getting in. I do try to wipe as much of the stuff off of the 'outside' of the chain to keep crap from sticking to it. I would try not to use any solvents/lube on a new chain until it starts making noise.

[cxwrench]

sounds like a SRAM chain. they have a very sticky oem lube. shimano and campy have a much less sticky lube on their chains out of the box.

[Buzzaro]

New chain? Most of the stuff the chains are shipped with is pretty thick. Just leave it, ride it, and wipe it down after your ride. It will be just fine. When it starts getting noisy, put whatever your normal lube is.

[Kerry Irons]

My new CX bike has very sticky almost glue like chain lube. I have never heard of or seen this before and I am thinking it will pick up a bunch of dirt and dust. I normally use finish line dry teflon lube. Am I missing something? BTW I did google sticky lube but didn't see anything related to bikes!

Dampen a rag with solvent (like odorless mineral spirits) and thoroughly wipe the chain to get all the gunk off the outside. As you apply new chain lube in the future the gunk will get diluted/flushed out. Just keep wiping the outside of the chain with that solvent-damp rag and you'll be fine. It's the lube on the outside parts that acts as a dirt magnet.

[Lelandjt]

The sticky grease on new chains is to prevent corrosion during shipping and storage. It's not a particularly good lubricant and attracts lots of dirt. Get it off and replace it with your normal lube.

[FBinNY]

The sticky grease on new chains is to prevent corrosion during shipping and storage. It's not a particularly good lubricant and attracts lots of dirt. Get it off and replace it with your normal lube.

This hasn't been true since the advent of containerized ocean freight over 50years ago. All chain makers prelube their chains with what they feel will do the best job.

If what's on the outside feels a bit too sticky, dampen a rag with solvent, like mineral spirits, or even WD-40, and wipe the outside dry. Don't drown the chain with solvent tough and flush out the lube.

[DS1239622]

I've read responses to this question from a couple different chain manufacturers and they have all said the lubricant the chain comes with is excellent and should be left on. As others have said wipe a little excess off with a rag if you feel the need. Otherwise just ride it and re-lube as needed. It will work itself out.

[Donn12]

Its a SRAM chain and it surprised me by how sticky is was/is. My Cervelo was my first bike and that chain got really dirty in not too long. I didn't notice at the time but maybe it was sticky? It was also my first real bike so maybe I used too much lube? I bought the Park chain cleaner and switched to Finish line dry so its all good now. I am going to clean the new one and do the same. After my first ride yesterday the chain has a bunch of crap stuck to it.

One thing that I don't know after all my reading is what to do when I'm going to ride in heavy rain? Should I put a wet lube (Like prolube prolink) on? maybe take some lube with me if it looks real bad?

[trailrunner68]

One thing that I don't know after all my reading is what to do when I'm going to ride in heavy rain? Should I put a wet lube (Like prolube prolink) on? maybe take some lube with me if it looks real bad?

Phil's Tenacious Oil.