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forum
Lubing Chain On Trainer
Got the best bike hooked up to the trainer at the minute - views on lubing the chain, do I need to or not?
Obviously it’s indoors so isn’t getting dirty but should I be lubing it every so often or just leave it til I’m back out on the road?
This article seems to think I should:
http://community.zwift.com/news/1015-keeping-your-zwift-chain-fuss-and-g...
If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.
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11 comments
Thanks everyone for the replies, good mix of opinions!
I didn't think it would need much lubing if at all but interesting to see what everyone else does.
Don't see how the chain can get "harmed" using it on the turbo apart from maybe a wee bit of stretching but I suppose if worst comes to worst a new chain at the end of winter isn't the end of the world.
I'd be amazed if that's the case though.
Sweat is seriously corrosive! My chainring bolts look like they've been in the deepest darkest depths of the North sea. Chain is lubed but quickly gets a brown rusty tinge to it regardless.
What you lot need for indoor training to help protect the bike is
images.jpg
The dust and so on isn't going to affect the chain whatsoever. And really, you would have to bathe the chain in sweat to make a material difference. If you clean the chain and cassette really well before it goes on and use a light lube, I'd say you only need to lube it rarely during the winter. You could try a reasonably thick oil, but I suspect unless the thing is pristine clean you will need to lube it. Alternatively, I bet if you put a brand new chain on at the start of winter you could ride a couple of tour de frances on it inside and not need to lube it at all.
Best bike gets put on the turbo for winter. Usual protections applied to stop sweat getting in to the components. However i will strip and service in the spring replacing chain/ cassette, headset bearings and brake cables (di2 gears).
I then know it is in top condition for the summer.
Just run your chain as it is and replace it in the spring. easy.
I have subjected drivetrains to horrors beyond imagination (if you're the sort that keeps a clean bike) and it's not made a massive difference to the life of everything. If you're just turboing on an already clean chain then don't bother.
Kind of depends how much use it gets. Obviously it's a lot cleaner inside but I'd just check the chain every so often.
If your chain has been cleaned and relubed, it will last the whole winter indoors. If you're riding with a dirty/grit filled chain, it will last the whole winter, but you'll need a new chain and possible cassette, thats if you ride it alot.
Really? You think?
I would've thought if I hit the trainer hard over the winter it would maybe need relubing at some point.
Drivetrain is completely cleaned before it goes on the trainer.
You got dirts indoor too, dust, hair, sweat, water . . . etc. especially sweats. You have no idea how much swetas could splash on the chain while "indoor" ! because outdoor, sweats got blow and vaporized into the wind but indoor, your sweats just drops like crazy on the chain
Its gotten dirty overtime like outdoor riding, just less dirts than indoor but you still have to lube it
That's what I thought. Although it will still pick up dust, sweat etc obviously shouldn't get as dirty as riding outside.