Oiling chain on a Pro Connect?

[Barry Heaven]

Does anyone have any tips on oiling the chain on a Pro Connect?

With my other bikes I have always run the chain backwards in order to clean it with a rag and then spray oil on while it is spinning. The Pro Connect doesn't allow me to do this as the freewheel appears to be at the bike crank end (I guess this is more to do with it being a hub gear rather than an electric bike).

Other then getting it up on a bike stand is there a quicker way to do this?

 

[flecc]

There's 3 freewheels on the Panasonic powered bikes, back wheel, motor drive sprocket and chainwheel. The reason for the chainwheel one is so any motor overrun doesn't kick the pedals from under a rider's feet if they pause pedalling.

To oil the chain I've always turned the rear wheel backwards with the bike upright and wheel off the ground, or pedalled it when either inverted or not.
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[tillson]

I usually oil a section of the chain, then grab hold of it with a cloth and pull it backwards so that another section is revealed, oil that section and so on until the whole lot is coated.

ps I don't use mineral oil. I have been using something called White Lightening. It seems to be a wax based lubricant and the chain seems to stay clean and doesn't pick up grit. This is just a personal preference.

 

[oriteroom]

Best chain lubricants

I usually oil a section of the chain, then grab hold of it with a cloth and pull it backwards so that another section is revealed, oil that section and so on until the whole lot is coated.

ps I don't use mineral oil. I have been using something called White Lightening. It seems to be a wax based lubricant and the chain seems to stay clean and doesn't pick up grit. This is just a personal preference.

I use the same technique as tillson on both my Pro Connect and my wife's Pro Connect. Been applying GT85 very regularly but it does build up crud after a while which I mainly clean off by passing the chains through a rag very liberally sprayed with GT 85 ( the 'mickle' method?). I've read about some wax based lubricants like White Lightening, Prolube Gold, Rock n Roll Gold/Extreme and they seem to have a lot of followers. Seems these all need very frequent application, almost on a ride by ride basis (even within a ride if it's a really long one!), but they are reported as to keeping the chain free from crud and remarkably clean.

What's the assembled wisdom on the best chain lubricant?

Regards.

Mike

 

[JamesC]

Does anyone have any tips on oiling the chain on a Pro Connect?

With my other bikes I have always run the chain backwards in order to clean it with a rag and then spray oil on while it is spinning. The Pro Connect doesn't allow me to do this as the freewheel appears to be at the bike crank end (I guess this is more to do with it being a hub gear rather than an electric bike).

Other then getting it up on a bike stand is there a quicker way to do this?

Barry
The bikes with the Panasonic drive do have a freewheel at the pedal end, but still retain the regular freewheel in the rear hub as well.

So a simple way to use your regular cleaning method is to use some tape to tie the pedal arm to the chainwheel. An electrical tie would do the job, but don't be tempted to yank it up too tight.

James

 

[Barry Heaven]

Thanks guys, some great tips.

I'm also interested in finding the best chain lube. Personally I use TF2 with Teflon spray at the moment and try and use it frequently. But I'm never sure which the best one is and opinion seems to be very diverse on this topic.

 

[WALKERMAN]

I've kept my Proconnect chain oiled regularly over the 18 months I have had the bike.
Can someone tell me when the chain and any other items such as sprockets will need renewing?
I've done approx. 4500 miles

 

[flecc]

I've kept my Proconnect chain oiled regularly over the 18 months I have had the bike.
Can someone tell me when the chain and any other items such as sprockets will need renewing?
I've done approx. 4500 miles

It's very variable. From that on a neglected bike up to double or more that on a normal bike with good maintenance, but depending on usage and terrain. Hub motor electric bikes can be quite a bit a bit different, but with both drives through the chain on yours it will probably be rather like a normal bike in this respect. Variations in rider strength and amount of usage of high power mode will have an effect though.

Best judged by amount of accumulated chain "stretch" over time and any "hooking" appearing on the most vulnerable sprockets, the motor drive one and the rear one.
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[Mussels]

Thanks guys, some great tips.

I'm also interested in finding the best chain lube. Personally I use TF2 with Teflon spray at the moment and try and use it frequently. But I'm never sure which the best one is and opinion seems to be very diverse on this topic.

Different lubes are more or less suitable depending on the conditions you ride in, the best one varies by season as well. I can't remember what's what though so can't help a lot.