Lubricating and changing the MTB chain: How it works!

Stefan Frey

· 04.12.2016

Photo: Georg Grieshaber

Lubricating and changing the MTB chain: how it works!

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If you look after your MTB drivetrain regularly, you reduce wear and tear and ride longer without rattling. Nevertheless, the time will come for a chain change. We'll show you what you can do.

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Lubricate it properly or simply replace it - so you won't have any problems with your chain on your next MTB tour and everything will run like clockwork:

You will need these tools: 1 tyre lever*, 2 sprocket brush*, 3 two clean, lint-free cloths*, 4 small brush or toothbrush*, 5 bucket of rinsing water*, 6 lubricant*

1 - Clean the chain: The best way to tackle coarse dirt is with a small brush and a good load of washing-up liquid. An old toothbrush can be put to good use here.

2 - Clean the chain: Then place a damp cloth around the chain and remove the remaining dirt by turning the crank backwards. Then allow the chain to dry.

3 - Clean the drive: Also clean the sprockets and chainrings of

coarse dirt. Use a special sprocket brush to get into the narrow gaps.

4 - Clean the drive: If you like it particularly clean, you can moisten a cloth with washing-up liquid. This will also remove the last traces of oil and dirt from the gaps.

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Photo: Georg Grieshaber

You will need these tools:

TIP: The manufacturers recommend maintenance intervals of around 100 kilometres for off-road use. After riding in bad weather, however, you should always wipe the chain with a lint-free cloth and then apply a thin film of chain oil when dry. The chain will last longer if you change its direction of rotation, i.e. turn the bottom side to the top side. This causes the links to bend in the other direction. However, the outer plates still point outwards.

Stefan Frey

Editor

Stefan Frey is from Lower Bavaria and loves the mossy, loamy trails of the Bavarian Forest as much as the rugged rock of the Dolomites. For technical descents, he is prepared to tackle almost any ascent - under his own steam. As an accessories specialist, he is the first port of call for questions about equipment and add-on parts, while as head of copywriting he sweeps the language crumbs from the pages of the BIKE print editions.

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Lubricating and changing the MTB chain: How it works!

Stefan Frey

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