3 Months in "Storage": Oil Chain Again?

[usaroads]

The road bike has seen about 2 miles in the past 3 months. Hopefully there will be at least a couple of days this week when I can do some riding.

Do I need to re-oil the chain if the bike has not seen any use in the past few months? I put the bike on the stand and it seems to be shifting very well, no problems. Maybe a touch noisier compared to freshly oiled? Honestly, it's been so long I couldn't say one way or the other.

[cdhbrad]

I lube the chain on my bike at least weekly. Lube yours too, what does it hurt?

[wim]

Agree with cdhbrad about re-lubing if you're concerned about it. It can't hurt. On the other hand, it's really not needed. The chain lube ingredient that reduces friction doesn't evaporate. Only the solvent that makes the lube flow disappears fairly quick.

Every year, I take 2 months off from bike riding. Before the bikes go on the hooks in December, I clean and lube them. Come early March, the chains are good to go.

[Bob Ross]

it seems to be shifting very well, no problems.

Don't lube it, go for a ride, see if you still feel the same way about it after the ride. If so, continue riding until you don't, then lube the chain.

[velodog]

If you're concerned that it may need lube, go ahead and lube it, otherwise don't. It ain't gonna hurt if lubed and won't wear anything out in one ride if it needs lubing.

[Oxtox]

we don't have a real winter here, so my backup/trainer bike sometimes doesn't get ridden for up to 9-10 months.

I don't see any reason to lube the chain before using it.

[aclinjury]

lol in the time it took you to post this and read the opinions of others, you could have finished lubing it.

[Kerry Irons]

The road bike has seen about 2 miles in the past 3 months. Hopefully there will be at least a couple of days this week when I can do some riding.

Do I need to re-oil the chain if the bike has not seen any use in the past few months? I put the bike on the stand and it seems to be shifting very well, no problems. Maybe a touch noisier compared to freshly oiled? Honestly, it's been so long I couldn't say one way or the other.

Unless you are using some kind of lube that evaporates (what kind of lube would that be?) there is zero reason to lube your chain just due the passage of 3 months time. Zero. If it needed lube before you put the bike away, it still needs it. If it didn't need lube, it still doesn't.

[mfdemicco]

Spin the cranks backwards. If you don't hear a squeak, you're good to go.

[TimV]

lol in the time it took you to post this and read the opinions of others, you could have finished lubing it.

^^ Came here to say exactly this.

[Mapei]

Re-lubricate. And be sure to use lube that contains gold-dust...

[usaroads]

On my commuter bike, I think I went at least 5 years without oiling the chain.

I finally took it in to the shop because the chain was noisy and the mechanic was horrified. "When was the last time you oiled your chain?!?"

Oddly enough, it continued to shift perfectly for years without a drop of oil. It just got noisy after a few years. That's Shimano for you.

[cxwrench]

I still don't see the need for this thread.

[velodog]

I still don't see the need for this thread.

Choice

We got this or chain waxing.

[cxwrench]

Choice

We got this or chain waxing.

Yeah, I guess you're right. Or disc brakes. Or Ti.

[cdhbrad]

Yeah, I guess you're right. Or disc brakes. Or Ti.

.....or Seat Bags?

[QuiQuaeQuod]

I still don't see the need for this thread.

I'm trying to imagine when this would be an issue. The only thing I can think of is if the bike sat in a VERY dusty environment. Even then, no need to lube, but a wipe would probably be in order.

[Bob Ross]

I'm trying to imagine when this would be an issue. The only thing I can think of is if the bike sat in a VERY dusty environment. Even then, no need to lube, but a wipe would probably be in order.

What if it was stored in a weasel den?

[cdhbrad]

I don't think I would want to come face to face with the Weasel whose den was that large. Not sure I could ride fast enough to get away if he decided to come after me.

[Lombard]

Oh boy, another chain lube thread! Yipppieeeee!

My answer is it depends on where the bike was stored. If in a damp environment, I would re-lube. Otherwise I wouldn't bother.

[cxwrench]

What if it was stored in a weasel den?

Or a beaver lodge?

[dir-t]

I'm putting my money on the OP trolling. If he hadn't stated that his commuter went for 5 years with no lube I would think, uh, something else. But if he was happy to ride a bike for 5 years without lubing why would he think twice about a bike that's been sitting still for 3 months?

[Lombard]

I still don't see the need for this thread.

I do. We need some comic relief.

I missed the part before about the OP not lubing for 5 years. Yep, sure looks like trolling. I did find it amusing though.