CHAINS

Chains should be lubricated before a bike is laid-up to prevent the links rusting – oil is most needed inside the rollers, where it’s soon squeezed out. So don’t be deceived by a greasy exterior – chains usually look better oiled than they are in reality.

Although everybody uses spray lube nowadays, I think boiling in graphite grease is still the best method. Cheap chains have made us all lazy; boiling is a faff, but it cleans the chain as well as completely penetrating the rollers. The old way was to have two chains – one always greased ready to swap over.

Boiling is damaging to O-ring chains, though, so you need to use aerosol chain lube. Personally, I’ve yet to find one that really ‘doesn’t fly off’, whatever it says on the tin, but it’s quick and easy. Spray after a ride, when the chain is hot – it helps the fluid seep into the links. Spay inside and outside the run while spinning the wheel by hand – it’s safer than running the bike in gear and NEVER wipe the chain with a rag while spinning – many people have lost bits of fingers that way.

Right: When chain boiling goes wrong. Guess who forgot to turn the heating element off on the electric hob...

Left: Boiling nono-ring chains in grease is effective but doesn’t smell all that pleasant