FAQ
What's our story?
We are avid cyclists and have been for 40 years. We saw the need for a better simpler way to lube our chains. We started with a very simple design. We have gone through a dozen prototypes to get where we felt it was good enough to bring to market. RotaLuber is a product by cyclists for cyclists.
How to use the RotaLuber?
- Thoroughly clean your chain, cassette and chain ring.
- Locate the connector link.
- Back pedal the crank arm and count how many rotations it takes to return to the connector link. [Usually 3-5]
- Pour your chain lube into the squeeze bottle and thread it onto the tool. Use the mixing sphere in the bottle to mix the oil if needed.
- Place the tool on the lower run of the chain and engage the sprocket teeth of the roller on to the chain.
- You can steady your hand against the derailleur tension arm, start to back pedal the crank arm slowly. You want to have a slight tension on the chain from the extended part of the tool. [This is what rotates the chain rollers]
- Once you have a good feel, start to squeeze the bottle, backpedal the chain slowly and watch the lube being deposited on each roller of the chain.
- Count the rotations of the crank arm to know you have lubed all the rollers.
- Wipe off any excess lube from the chain, chain ring, cassette sprocket and derailleur pulley sprockets and your done.
Can I use any brand of Chain Lube?
Most oil based products will be fine. [If your lube has a emulsion liquid that might evaporate, remove and cap the bottle between applications.]{Do not use Pro Gold--It will damage the o-rings} [See below when using Wax emulsion Lubes] Use the flow adjustment knob to adjust between thinner and thicker oils. Flow adjustment screw is pre-set at full open position. Try this setting first. If there is oil deposited between the rollers, this is too much. Turn knob clockwise, 1 turn at a time, to adjust for your lubes application sweet spot rate. Lubes with some color and thickness are easier to see when you apply them.
If you're using Wax emulsion lubes, based on our experience, we only recommend Silca Super Secret. This product requires the least added steps and has independently tested to be the best of this type of lube. [See Zero Friction Testing Web Site] Products like White Lightning and Squirt are not recommended. When using Silca Super Secret, [or any other wax emulsion lube] shake well before applying. When finished, remove the bottle, screw on the cap to keep the emulsifier from evaporating. Remove the flow knob from the tool. Rinse out the lube passages in hot water for a minute, using an old toothbrush to clean it. Finish by blowing out the tool with compressed air. Re-install flow knob. Turn the flow knob back to your preferred setting. Set aside ready for the next use. Yes, this is a little more work but worth it. Only takes 2 minutes.
How to adjust to know I'm applying the correct amount of oil?
We ship the RotaLuber set in the full open position. If you are seeing substantial amount of oil between the rollers and on the chainring teeth, turn the knob clockwise 1 turn at a time to decrease the flow. When you see oil only at the rollers, you have the correct setting. Balance the force of the squeeze with the speed of the chain through the RotaLuber for optimal application of lube.
Do I need to clean the chain before Lubing?
Yes. It's always best to clean Chain thoroughly before applying the Lube. This will help the RotaLuber to rotate the chain rollers, sucking the oil inside to the pin.
What direction should the chain be run through the RotaLuber?
The chain must move thorough the tool in the direction of the arrow on the outside of the tool. This so the rubber surface on the end of the tool can rotate the rollers, sucking the oil into the pin area.
How to travel with my RotaLuber
Remove the bottle from the tool and install the provided cap. Place in a small zip-lock and store for travel.
How do I back pedal the crank arm on my e-bike?
We have 3 cool little tools for making this just as easy as with a regular bike. Click on image in "Featured Collection" to see it in action. Three of them work on carrier mounted chainrings with 4mm hex, 5mm hex and T30 torx chainring bolts. The third is for direct mount chainrings.
How to use the E-Bike Backpedal Tool?
See Videos @ "Featured Collection" click on product image. For the carrier mount, Position the chainring with one of the mounting bolts at the 12:00 position. Insert the tip into the 5mm hex, 4mm hex or T30 bolt. Make sure the tip is fully inserted and the plastic handle surface is in contact with the face of the bolt. [The tip can be moved in and out to accomplish this] Rotate the handle of the tool so it's perpendicular to the crankarm as it comes in contact with the crankarm. Rotate the crankarm backwards [counter-clockwise] to clean and lube the chain. When finished rotate the handle of the tool counter-clockwise, and the pressure will be released so the tool can easily be removed. A T30 torx tip also fits 5mm hex. The tip can be pushed in when engaging a T30 bolt. [The engagement depth is slightly less] The tip can easily be moved in and out to accommodate either chainring bolt style. The tip fit to the handle is tight enough to stay in place but allow the handle to rotate when removing the tool.
For the direct mount, The tip on the end of the screw fits into a cutout on the sprocket near the cog teeth, with the tip flange against the face of the chainring. Use the screw to adjust the tool distance between the inside of the crankarm and the outside of the chainring. [The correct position is to have the screw perpendicular to the chainring face when the tool is perpendicular to the crankarm at contact.] [We made the tool adjustable so it will work with a largest number of crankarm and chainring combinations.] The rubber tube is to keep tension on the tool for the E-Bike motors that have free play in the clutch. Once tool is set rotate the crankarm backwards [counter-clockwise] to clean and lube the chain. When finished rotate the tool counter-clockwise to release any tension and remove the tool.
What is the nut in the bottle for?
The nut is there to help mix chain lubes that separate when not in use.
What bicycle chains will the RotaLuber work on?
The tool is designed to work best with 10, 11 and 12 speed chains [also Campy Ekar 13 speed} only at this time.