Properly Lubricating Your Bicycle Chain - How It’s Done
The bicycle chain is the heart of your beloved bike. It requires regular maintenance and top-quality care. Chain lubricant, chain oil, and chain cleaner ensure that your bicycle chain runs smoothly and even better when used correctly and consistently. At our store, you’ll find everything your heart – or rather, your chain – desires, from chain fluid and chain oil to bike cleaner. Welcome to innobike – your expert for specific, individualized, and comprehensive bicycle maintenance.
The General Purpose of Lubricants, Oil, or Chain Oil
A lubricant is logically used to lubricate the bicycle chain. It reduces friction and wear, facilitates power transmission, provides cooling, dampens vibrations, seals components, and protects against corrosion. Essentially, every bicycle chain lubricant consists of a base fluid – usually oil – along with additional components known as additives.
Responsible Bicycle Enthusiasts Often Ask These Questions:
- Where can I buy oil for my bicycle chain? Should I purchase it from an online store?
- Why do I need chain spray for my bike? Which chain lubricant is best for bicycles?
- What is the optimal lubricant for my mountain bike chain? Which MTB chain oil should I use?
- What is the best oil to use? Which is highly effective for an e-MTB? How long does bicycle chain oil last?
- Which oil is best at reducing friction?
- How do I quickly apply bicycle chain oil to my mountain bike or bicycle chain?
- How should I apply oil to my bike chain in general? What is the best chain oil for a new chain?
- Is chain oil from Dynamic or another brand better for my e-bike?
- Should I use drip oil or chain spray for my MTB, e-bike, or road bike?
- Spray or bottle? Bottle or spray – which is better?
- Which chain oil should I buy, and at what price?
How to Properly Lubricate Your Chain: Applying Chain Oil Correctly
Every effective lubrication process starts with cleaning. This fundamental principle also applies to bicycle chain lubrication, including chain oil application. Most manufacturers of bicycle chain lubricants, such as Dynamic, Rohloff, Dr. Wack, Shimano, and innobike, agree on this. Here, we demonstrate the application process using innobike 106 CHAIN FLUID PLUS – a lubricant specifically designed for long-lasting chain lubrication.
Key features of the highly effective 106 CHAIN FLUID PLUS:
- Cleans, lubricates, and protects the chain in one step thanks to an advanced lubricant combination.
- For dry conditions: A firm, non-sticky, dry lubricant film minimizes dirt and dust adhesion. This dry surface prevents excessive contamination within the chain.
- Tip: The additional brush attachment supports mechanical cleaning by precisely applying the lubricant inside the chain while preventing spray mist.
- The chain oil displaces moisture, allowing the chain to be used immediately after a bike wash.
Easy and Efficient Application:
- Apply the oil with the brush attachment to the small rear sprocket.
- Turn the pedals backward while continuously spraying until the oil drips onto the large chainring.
- Let the oil sit for 4–6 hours. During this time, the cleaner in the fluid evaporates, leaving a thin, firm, dry lubricant film on your chain.
A Chain Oil Test Can Be Very Insightful!
Whether you ride recreationally or professionally, a good chain lubricant must provide protection and care. Additionally, chain oil should be easy to apply and reasonably priced. With many chain oil brands available, choosing the right one can be challenging. Whether you own a mountain bike (MTB), e-bike, e-MTB, road bike, touring bike, or city bike, selecting the best oil for your chain is essential. Our tip: A comparison test or analysis of lubricants and oils can be helpful. These tests often evaluate products like Rohloff Special Chain Lubricant, Dynamic Chain Oil, Shimano Chain Oil, and many others, comparing them in terms of:
- Quality
- Performance
- Application
- Corrosion protection
- Durability
- Metal friction reduction
- Lubrication effectiveness
- Dirt adhesion
- Wear protection
- Efficiency
- Price-performance ratio
- Cost per milliliter
A Look at the INNOBIKE Online Shop
What products are available in what sizes? With just a click, you can order innobike 105 High Tech CHAIN FLUID in 100 ml or 300 ml cans or as a 300 ml liquid bottle. The 106 CHAIN FLUID PLUS for your bicycle is available in a 300 ml can in a striking color. The 107 Xtreme CHAIN FLUID comes in a 300 ml size, and the 205 Bike Cleaner Active Foam is also available in a 300 ml can. The 207 Bike Cleaner Active WASH is offered as a combo set (canister with pump spray bottle and dispensing tap) containing 6000 ml. Additionally, a separate 1000 ml spray bottle and other accessories, such as the brush attachment for the lubricants mentioned above, are available in our shop.
Do you want your bike to continue running smoothly and even better in the future? Then we look forward to your contact and your purchase of our products! We are here for you.