During a long bike trip, the chain is subjected to much greater stress than on simple city rides. Dust, sand, mud, rain, and hundreds of kilometers without proper cleaning eventually put the drivetrain under severe strain. Gears shift less smoothly, parasitic noises appear, and chain and cassette wear accelerates.
Regular chain maintenance takes only a few minutes and prevents most of these problems. All you need are a few simple tools on hand and to proceed in the correct order.
Experienced mechanics at Routes and Roads have prepared an express guide to explain which tools to take on your trip, how to maintain your chain in the field, and how to avoid premature drivetrain wear.
Table of Contents:
When to Maintain Your Chain
Which Tools to Carry
Maintenance Steps
Which Lubricant to Choose
Common Mistakes
Conclusion
When to Maintain Your Chain
In bikepacking, bikes rarely stay clean for long. Even in dry weather, the lubricant eventually traps road dust which, mixed with fine sand particles, forms an abrasive paste. After rain, water, mud, and dirt particles add to this.
A dirty chain operates less efficiently. Friction increases between the rollers and links, gears shift less precisely, and drivetrain components wear out faster.
Experienced bikepackers often take a few minutes to look after their chain at the end of the day. While water is heating up for dinner, it's easy to remove most of the dirt and apply a little lubricant. These simple steps help prevent serious problems on the road.
There's no need to follow a precise schedule: it's better to rely on the chain's condition. If the drivetrain becomes noisier than usual, if the chain feels dry to the touch, or if it's visibly dirty, it's time to dedicate a few minutes to it.
Check your chain wear before a long trip
Which Tools to Carry
Most operations can be performed with a few compact tools and consumables:
A chain lubricant in a small 30 to 60 ml bottle is usually sufficient for a long trip.
A non-woven wipe or a microfiber cloth quickly removes dirt and wipes off excess lubricant.
A small brush is useful for cleaning the chain, derailleur pulleys, and cassette when dirt has already dried.
A spare quick link takes up very little space and can be very useful in case of a chain problem.
A multi-tool with a chain breaker is one of the most useful tools to carry for bikepacking. Even if you never need it yourself, it can always help out another cyclist on the road.
For long trips, a pair of thin nitrile gloves can also be useful. They weigh almost nothing and allow you to maintain your bike without getting your hands dirty before getting back on the road.
A compact kit for chain maintenance
Maintenance Steps
Inspect the drivetrain
Start by checking the condition of the chain, derailleur pulleys, and cassette. If the components are covered in dirt, simply applying new lubricant will not be enough.
Remove dirt
Using a dry cloth, remove dust, old lubricant residue, and dirt from the outer surface of the chain. If the dirt has already dried, use a small brush. When traveling, just removing the bulk is sufficient. It's not necessary to achieve a perfectly clean chain, but it's important to remove sand particles and lubricant residue.
Apply lubricant
Apply lubricant to the inner surface of the chain by slowly rotating the cranks backward. A small drop per roller is enough. This allows the lubricant to penetrate the links, where it is most effective.
Lubricant is applied to the inner surface of the chain
Allow the lubricant to spread
Turn the cranks several times and gradually shift gears. If you have time, let the lubricant act for a few minutes so it penetrates the rollers and chain pins.
Wipe off excess
Run a dry cloth over the chain to remove excess lubricant from its outer surface. It adds nothing to the drivetrain's function and only quickly attracts dust.
This operation takes less than a minute, but after several days on dusty roads, the difference is quickly noticeable.
Which Lubricant to Choose
For dry and dusty routes, lubricant labeled Dry is generally the most suitable. It attracts less dust but needs to be reapplied more often.
In wet weather or during prolonged rain, Wet lubricant is more effective. It stays on the chain longer but also retains dirt more quickly.
A universal lubricant is the most practical choice for travel
If your trip takes you through different types of terrain and the weather is hard to predict, a universal lubricant remains a practical choice. It suits most conditions and avoids having to carry several different products.
Common Mistakes
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Choosing your lubricant without considering the route conditions. A dry-condition lubricant washes off more quickly in the rain, while a wet-condition product retains more dust on dry roads.
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Neglecting chain wear before departure. Even a perfectly lubricated chain cannot compensate for its natural wear. Before a long trip, remember to check its condition with a wear indicator and replace it if necessary.
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Not carrying a spare quick link. It takes up almost no space and allows you to quickly get your bike back in working order in case of a broken chain.
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Delaying maintenance after heavy rain. Water eventually washes away the lubricant. After several hours in the rain, it is therefore best to clean and relubricate the chain as soon as possible at the next stop.
After rain, the chain needs to be relubricated
Conclusion
Regular chain maintenance during a bikepacking trip takes only a few minutes, but it helps prolong the lifespan of the drivetrain and maintain smooth gear shifting. A few minutes in the evening are enough to avoid unnecessary problems on the road.
Before a long trip, remember to check the condition of the chain, cassette, and other drivetrain components. The Routes and Roads store and workshop offer lubricants, tools, and consumables for bike maintenance, as well as everything you need for bikepacking. You will also find advice on how to prepare your bike for the trip. If a complete overhaul is necessary, the workshop can prepare your bike for the season or for a multi-day trip.
