this post was submitted on 02 Jul 2026
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How do you prep a new chain? (leminal.space)
submitted 1 month ago by MrWrinkles@leminal.space to c/bicycling@lemmy.world
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I just measured my chain stretch for the first time and it exceeded my tools max measurement. So I bought a new SRAM PC830 chain and upon opening the box, discovered the sticky nature of factory grease. Which would be catastrophic for my dusty desert commute! So obviously, that has to come off. I consulted the web and found a brilliant website with charts for various chain lubes. https://zerofrictioncycling.com.au/

I ended up following KMC's advice and cleaning the grease off with a light oil (WD-40 was handy). Then a wet lube (I forget the brand; whatever my LBS stocks).

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[–] TheHound@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago

Blast it down with a can of engine degreaser and let it fully dry. You should be able to hear the faintest rattle in the links if you shake it. Lay it out with the plates on end, and apply a drop of lube to each roller, flip it over and another drop to each roller. Move the chain around to work the lube into where it needs to be. Depending on the type of lube wipe away the excess (oil) or try to let it dry for a day before wiping (suspended wax). There should be no residual oil on the plates, it should all be in the rollers.