Winter Maintenance

Footie

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 16, 2007
549
10
Cornwall. PL27
A recent thread about maintenance of suspension forks has prompted the following question.
During these dark winter days, when the hardy boldly venture forth, while others seek the solace of the home fires. What sort of maintenance do forum members carry out on their ebikes in preparation for the long summer days – if any?


"Cycle tracks will abound in Utopia." H.G. Wells
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flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,260
30,648
I'm lazy!

Safely encased in a thick layer of self renewing protective mud does for quite long periods, oil or grease on the chain intermittently.

Once the weather improves, a good wash and oiling.
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Capn_Phil68

Pedelecer
Jan 12, 2008
46
0
For me or rather my bike its Petroleum jelly on nuts/bolts/controller box/switch gear joins.
WD-40 on bright work
Three in one oil on chain

and for me old gortex jacket, old bike leggings, well waterproofed work boots and a Ushanka for my head :)
 

tgame

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 6, 2007
284
1
90
Felixstowe
www.axst45.dsl.pipex.com
>>Three in one oil on chain


A couple of years ago I innocently mentioned on a cycling forum that I thought the Scott oiler was a good idea for a bike. I was held upside down, severely shaken and kicked into touch. Apparently the revealed truth there was that chains should never be oiled as "grinding paste" would thus be carried into the links. Such a shame technology has never produced a light weight and removable version of the old fashioned oil bath chain case
 
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Ian

Esteemed Pedelecer
Apr 1, 2007
1,333
0
Leicester LE4, UK.
>>Three in one oil on chain


A couple of years ago I innocently mentioned on a cycling forum that I thought the Scott oiler was a good idea for a bike. I was held upside down, severely shaken and kicked into touch. Apparently the revealed truth there was that chains should never be oiled as "grinding paste" would thus be carried into the links. Such a shame technology has never produced a light weight and removable version of the old fashioned oil bath chain case
Chain oiling is probably the most controversial subject in cycling (along with helmets). Chains actually cost a lot less than some of devices and lubricants intended to prolong their life, so I take the view that an occasional lube with 3 in 1, WD40, dragons blood or whatever, along with timely chain replacement is the most economical approach from a both time and money point of view.
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,260
30,648
I agree with Ian on derailleur chains, WD40 or similar, but on hub gear chains I just grease very occasionally and let the aging grease flake off with any attached dirt. Looks a bit dirty, but that doesn't matter on a non-derailleur chain.
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