Slowchris11
1 W
Two guys can use the same chain and wear it out after 500 or 2500 miles. If riding conditions are identical, everything is in the lubrication.
Some use special chain wax once a week, someone else oils each month- the difference in wear is astronomic.
Oil and grease seem to attract sand and dirt, turning into a grinding compounds. Wax does not mix with dirt , it seems to work better under such conditions. I use wax and medium priced KMC chains, works for me, but I'm pretty undecided what is best.
Dirt is a very important factor, but not allone, if we look at timing chains in engines, which run in clean oil without sand.
Usually, with cars, timing chains can live forever, but the pressure on the parts that transmit the power is really high. A German auto maker went from belts to chains with a new engine generation. At the same time they reduced the additives in the low SAPS engine oils for stupid reasons, also these for high pressure. The result where timing chains constandly failing, after a fraction of the usual life time. Around 25.000 miles and less. They where doing more engine than oil changes at the dealers, after failing to blame the customers for this defect.
The solution is to use "normal" high quality oil and change it more frequently. We put these additives in the oil for a reason!
Even Ole Sam, from the gas station down the road, could have told these super clever auto makers this would happen.
So someone buying the most expensive chain may not enjoy it for a long time if he picks the wrong lube at the wrong intervall.
Some use special chain wax once a week, someone else oils each month- the difference in wear is astronomic.
Oil and grease seem to attract sand and dirt, turning into a grinding compounds. Wax does not mix with dirt , it seems to work better under such conditions. I use wax and medium priced KMC chains, works for me, but I'm pretty undecided what is best.
Dirt is a very important factor, but not allone, if we look at timing chains in engines, which run in clean oil without sand.
Usually, with cars, timing chains can live forever, but the pressure on the parts that transmit the power is really high. A German auto maker went from belts to chains with a new engine generation. At the same time they reduced the additives in the low SAPS engine oils for stupid reasons, also these for high pressure. The result where timing chains constandly failing, after a fraction of the usual life time. Around 25.000 miles and less. They where doing more engine than oil changes at the dealers, after failing to blame the customers for this defect.
The solution is to use "normal" high quality oil and change it more frequently. We put these additives in the oil for a reason!
Even Ole Sam, from the gas station down the road, could have told these super clever auto makers this would happen.
So someone buying the most expensive chain may not enjoy it for a long time if he picks the wrong lube at the wrong intervall.
