Can You Use CRC On A Bike Chain?

Lubricating the chain is the simplest step in bike maintenance. But can it be made even simpler by the use of spray-on CRCs?

Lubricating the chain often reduces the risk of abrasion, corrosion, and wear. It helps increase the longevity of your bike chain and also improves your bike's overall performance. Regular chain lubrication can be maintained by employing easy-to-use spray lubes. One such example of spray lubes is the CRC chain lubes.

You can use CRC chain lubricant for oiling your bike chain at home. It may require frequent applications due to the thin film it forms, but you can apply it by yourself since it is easy to use. CRC lubes improve your drivetrain efficiency, but they also protect your bike chain against corrosion.

Your bicycle chain can experience more friction if it's not lubricated properly. It leads to increased wear and tear, causing your chain to snap in the middle of your ride. The most convenient solution to this problem is to keep a can of CRC spray lube on hand all the time. Using it, you can lubricate your bicycle in less than 5 minutes. Read the complete information below to find out how you can do so.

It'll be a bit of an exaggeration to say that CRC lubricants are all-weather lubricants. Since these are washed off more quickly than the other wet lubes, they may not be suitable for riding during rainy weather. Let's learn more about the pros and cons of using CRC lubes for your bike chain.

‍What Do You Mean By CRC?

CRC stands for "Corrosion Reaction Consultants". It's a brand name for a market-leading industry that manufactures and supplies different chemical solutions for the maintenance and repair of vehicles, industrial pieces of machinery, heavy-duty engines, electrical appliances, household tools, etc.

CRC supplies its products almost all over the world, including the US, Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. Its diverse product line includes a number of chemical solutions, including

• Multipurpose spray lubricants
• Cleaners and degreasers
• Corrosion preventives
• Oils and greases
• Penetrants and solvents
• Adhesive chain lubricants

Can You Use CRC on a Bike Chain?

Yes! You can use CRC products for the maintenance of bike chains. The product line of CRC includes automobile-specific products that range from bicycle chain products to aviation engine greasing formulas. From cleaners and degreasers to corrosion inhibitors and adhesive lubricants, all CRC products can be used for bike maintenance.

Although all of the CRC chain lubricants are effective, the multi-purpose chain lubricant works wonders. This is why the company calls it a "toolkit in a can." It dissolves the already present grime on the bike chain and replaces it with a thin and sticky layer of new lube. The lubricant coats the moving parts of the chain for smoother operation and saves you from the irritating squeaks and squeals of your dry chain.

How Do CRC Lubricants Work?

CRC spray chain lubricants are the dry lubes. It means that they contain a volatile carrier as the base solvent, which carries the aerosol droplets of lubricant to every space in the bike chain. The volatile carrier quickly evaporates after application on the chain and leaves a waxy, dry residue behind, which actually serves to prevent metal-to-metal contact on the chain.

Almost all the CRC lubricants have superior penetrating power due to droplet formation that goes into every nook and corner of your chain. Due to the powerful corrosion inhibitors used in CRC lubricants, they dissolve already present rust and protect the metal from further corrosion due to water, salt, air, or any other corrosive environment. Excessive moisture, however, is likely to dissolve the lubricant over time.

Is CRC Lube the Same as Wd-40?

No, CRC lubes and WD-40 are not the same. They are often confused because both of these solutions are available in the form of aerosol sprays. The CRC lubricants work to lubricate the metallic parts of your chain and prevent rusting, whereas WD-40 is not a lubricant. It is actually a solvent that works as a degreaser. It can be applied before lubrication of the chain. Although there are CRC degreasers too, they should not be confused with lubricants.

How To Use CRC Lube on a Bike Chain?

Here's a small guide to using CRC lube for lubricating your bike chain at home.

Supplies Needed

• A rag or an old piece of cloth
• Any protective sheets for your floor
• Cleaning spray
• A brush with long bristles
• Degreaser
• CRC chain lubricant

Steps

Your bike's chain lubrication with a CRC spray lube gets completed in four simple steps:

1. Clean The Chain

After you've covered your floor with a protective sheet, the first step is to clean your chain using a cleaning spray. Just spray the cleaner all over your chain and slowly run it through the rag by forming a fist with the rag around the chain. You may use CRC or any other cleaner for this purpose. Cleaning will remove the top layer of accumulated dust and debris, exposing the layer of old grease below.

2. Apply Degreaser

In the next step, apply a degreaser, whether it be WD-40, a CRC degreaser, or any other degreasing solvent. A degreaser will dissolve the old grease layer, which would otherwise be difficult to remove. Repeat the cleaning step using a rag until all the already present grime can no longer be seen on the chain. You may use a brush with long bristles to ensure a thorough cleaning inside the chain links.

3. Apply CRC Chain Lubricant

Before applying, make sure that your bike frame is properly covered so that the lube doesn't get on it. Spray the lubricant over the chain by slowly moving the paddle in the reverse direction. You just have to point the spray nozzle tube towards the chain and spray on the surface and inside the chain links. This is why we say that spray lubricants are the most convenient to use.

4. Follow-up

With the help of a rag, remove the excessive lube. Let the lube sit for a while until all the solvent evaporates, leaving behind the layer of lubricant on the chain. Don't spray the CRC chain lubricant over the disc brakes; otherwise, they won't work.

The Pros And Cons Of Using CRC Lube On Bike Chains

The use of CRC lube for lubricating a bike chain has its advantages and disadvantages as well. Some of these are listed below: