
Introduction – How to Make Your Own Bike Chain Lube
To all bike fans: Are you tired of trying different bike chain lubes and not finding the correct one for your bike requirements? Or maybe you feel you are paying for an over-priced lube and want to save some money while keeping your ride healthy?
There is an easy way out, which is to prepare your own bike chain lube and adjust it to weather conditions. But first, let’s understand why bike chain lube is so important when we talk about maintenance.
What is Chain Lube for?
Lubricating your chain is a great way of extending its life and decrease the chances of wear. It reduces stretch and protects your chain from corrosion. But chain lube is not only good for maintenance and keeping your bike healthy; you will also feel it while riding. A well-lubed chain will result in smooth pedaling while also making it waterproof.
Bike Chain Degreaser Solvent – What Is Bicycle Chain Lube Made of?
Chain lube is mostly based on paraffin wax or “Teflon-type” lubricants. These are mixed with a liquid or solvent that helps them penetrate the different parts of the chain. Some 3-in-1 bike chain oils are multipurpose and also serve well for your bike’s performance.
Make Your Own Bike Chain Lube
Now, if your idea is to prepare your own bike chain lube, here are the steps. Pay special attention to the different adjustments you can make to it depending on how the weather changes.
- About 55% of “STP” brand of Oil Treatment with Zinc Oxide
- 25% light machine oil will help you smoothen it out a little, helping it flow better
- 20% of PTFE powder– make sure to stir it in.
In winter, you could add more light machine oil to make it thinner, whereas in summer, you should make the lube thicker.
Before applying your homemade bike chain lube, it is a good idea to clean your chain with some kind of bike chain degreaser solvent. This way, you can make sure that lubes do not get mixed up and harm your chain. To know when your chain is clean enough, shake it a little bit. It should rattle once it is clean.
During cold weather, you can heat your lube a little. This will help its penetration through pins and rollers. If your chain does not seem to work properly after applying your lube, it may be because the preparation is not well mixed. On the other hand, it may also happen that not all parts of the chain have been correctly lubed, so you may need to repeat the process.
Take a look at this video on how to prepare your own chain lube (Credits to oz cycle):
If the DIY chain lube is not up to your expectation, fret not, as there are plenty of bike chain lubes in the market for you to try out!
Useful Reading:
https://bike.bikegremlin.com/1986/bicycle-chain-lubricants-explained/