Maintaining and oiling a bike chain

In short: A well-maintained bike chain shifts more quietly, wears more slowly, and keeps the drivetrain and cogs working longer. Regular cleaning and oiling is one of the simplest maintenance jobs on a bicycle.

In more detail: Dirt, sand, and old, gummed-up oil act like sandpaper between the chain and cogs, significantly speeding up wear.

In detail

• Cleaning: Use a rag or a chain cleaning brush to remove coarse dirt; for heavy grime, use a dedicated chain cleaner spray.
• Drying: Let the chain dry completely before oiling, otherwise residual moisture dilutes the new oil.
• Oiling: Apply one drop of chain oil per link while slowly turning the pedals backward.
• Wiping off excess: After a few minutes of soaking in, wipe off excess oil on the outside, otherwise it attracts dust.
• Checking wear: Use a chain checker gauge regularly to measure if the chain has stretched (fahrradreifen-flicken).
• Frequency: Depending on use and weather, roughly every few hundred kilometers or after riding in rain.
• Oil choice: Dry lube for dusty conditions, wet lube for rain, ceramic lube for especially long durability.