Pro tip: A drop of chain lube on the derailleur pivot points made my shifting way smoother

My 10-speed commuter bike had been feeling a bit sticky on the shifts for the last month, especially when moving to a bigger cog. I cleaned the cable and housing but it didn't help much. What finally fixed it was putting just one small drop of wet lube on each of the four pivot points on the rear derailleur, letting it soak in overnight. Has anyone else found that a specific spot needs lube more often than the chain itself?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_sam10d ago

Honestly, that "let it soak in overnight" part is where I see it differently. I've always been told to wipe off any extra lube right away to keep dirt from sticking. A quick drop and a wipe has always worked fine for me without the wait.

leo_lopez10d ago

Yeah, I used to do the quick wipe thing too. Then my chain started sounding gritty after a few wet rides. Letting a good wet lube sit for a bit, even just 20 minutes, made a real difference. The thinner stuff seems to work into the rollers better. Now I just lube it after my last ride of the day. Wipe off the excess in the morning. Chain stays quiet longer.