Take care of your bike's chain

Dirt and grime build up on a bicycle's moving parts in no time at all, especially on the bike chain, so cyclists should make it a habit to lubricate a bicycle's chain on a regular basis, perhaps even after each ride.

A bike chain lube job is fairly straightforward process. L.L. Bean offers the following instructions for performing the task:

— Position the bike so that the crank can be turned.

—. Use a light lubricant designed specifically for lubricating bike chains. A lubricant that comes in a plastic container may also be equipped with a drip applicator, which helps get the lubricant in the right place

— Turn the cranks while holding a rag around the chain to clean off excess road grime.

— Place the nozzle of the lube container against the outer edge of the chain where it is coming over the freewheel cogs. Slowly turn the crank clockwise. Repeat this technique on the inner edge of the chain. Turn the cranks a few times after both edges of the chain have been lubed. This will pull the lube into the chain.

— Use the rag again to clear excess lubrication from the outside of the chain so that it doesn't collect road grit.

Many riders perform this quick-lube routine after each ride.

SOURCE: L.L. Bean

(c) 2009, McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.