I am building a new bike – Cervelo R2.5 !!!-- with all new components. On past bikes/ new chains I have soaked or sprayed the new chain in solvent to get thick grease off prior to mounting and lubing it.
Is this recommended or should I just lube normally?
Thanks,
John
jmhtx,
New chains are soaked/coated in cosmoline. This is a heavy/tacky grease that displaces moisture very well. This is done primarily to prevent the chain from rusting while it is in transit and on the LBS shelf waiting to be purchased.
No chain lubricant contains cosmoline! If you put chain lubricant on a new chain without first taking the cosmoline off, do not expect the chain lubricant to do anything but run off the chain. Also, a chain coated in cosmoline will not be nearly as supple as a chain stripped of cosmoline and lubricated with chain lube.
Now go ahead and make up your own mind. You’re the “boss”, you can do whatever you like as far as lubing your chain is concerned.
One more consideration, however, you may not race/ time trial etc. Many will spare no expense for a time trial helmet, an aero time trial bike frame, a skinsuit, wind shoe covers, aero wheels, etc, all to go faster and reduce drag, but will race on a gunked up dirty chain/drivetrain that has tons more resistance than it would if it were clean and properly lubed. Go figure. Maybe the more resistance to pedaling is just thought of as a “training” opportunity. Some day, if they ever get around to cleaning their chain/drivetrain, they will be much faster because of all their higher “resistance” training/racing?
You should try Pro Link lube http://www.progoldmfr.com/products/prolink.html
You can apply this to the chain, work it in, and wipe it off
Then re apply and you should be set
.