The Debate Continues!

Oil Lube vs Hot Wax Chain Waxing

    Which Is Better?

Cycling enthusiasts understand the importance of maintaining their bicycles for optimal performance. Among the many maintenance practices, chain lubrication is crucial to prevent corrosion, reduce friction, and increase the lifespan of your bike chain.

Oil Lube

Oil lube is a type of chain lubrication that involves applying a thin layer of oil-based lubricant on your chain. It is typically applied using a brush or drip bottle, and you should apply it after cleaning your chain thoroughly. The oil penetrates the chain and provides a protective layer, reducing friction and preventing rust and corrosion.

One of the benefits of oil lube is that it is relatively easy to apply and can be done at home with minimal equipment. However, oil lube tends to attract dirt and debris, which can lead to chain wear and a shorter lifespan. It also requires frequent reapplication, especially in wet conditions.

Hot Wax

Hot wax is a type of chain lubrication that involves immersing your chain in molten wax. The process requires more equipment, such as a wax pot and a chain holder, to heat the wax and hold the chain while it is being waxed. Hot waxing provides a thicker layer of protection, and the wax fills in the gaps between the chain's links, providing superior lubrication and protection against rust and corrosion.

One of the benefits of hot wax is that it provides longer-lasting protection compared to oil lube. The thicker layer of wax also reduces friction, resulting in a smoother and quieter ride. Additionally, the wax doesn't attract dirt and debris, which reduces chain wear and increases the chain's lifespan. However, hot waxing is a more involved process that requires more time and specialized equipment.

Ultimately, the choice between oil lube and hot wax chain waxing depends on your personal preferences and needs. Oil lube is easier to apply and requires less specialized equipment, but it doesn't provide the same level of protection as hot wax. Hot waxing requires a bit more time and equipment, but it provides superior protection and longevity. Whichever method you choose, remember to clean your chain thoroughly before applying lubricant and reapply as necessary to keep your bike in top condition.

      Club Jersey, take 2!

Primal Jersey size charts

There will be fit kits at the July 2nd meeting. If you have already purchased a jersey, please re-size yourself as these are truer to standard sizing and may be different than what you had ordered. Once the Jerseys are ready to order, you will be asked to confirm your  size. 

 Men’s Sizes.

Minutes from

Call to order: 7:25 PM  Karen opened the meeting and asked for a review of the minutes from the last meeting.

Motion to accept, Jeff  and Malachy seconded

Treasurer's Report - Anthony

Jersey order has been put in; we likely will have some inventory

We are in good shape for Gold Coast - price increases after June 8th; we are at about 1/3 of what we expect and we usually get more registrations closer to the event.  Malachy - last year we got a lot of registrations in the 3 days before the price went up.

Last year we raised the price at Memorial Day because the ride was one week earlier than it is this year.

Karen showed the Action Alert: Lives on the Line, to sign the petition to Liz Krueger to support S2643 as important for bike safety and could include for 3-foot rule.  Larry Denbaum added that the 3-foot rule is really the important part.  But, Karen indicated the Iowa law piece of this is important as well.

Club Jerseys are being sewn; Karen had hoped they would be ready for the Tour de Cure this Saturday but no guarantee on that timing.

 Karen showed the BYKE donation "thank you" letter (on behalf of Alec Dick) that she had shared at the recent Board meeting.

Alec Dick memorial ride Saturday, June 15th 8:00 a.m. out of Smith Street and going to Kings Park. His son is going to ride with us.

At 2:00 p.m. there is a memorial service at Friends Academy, where Alec used to teach. This open to all HBC members and they have just asked that you sign the RSVP if you are going to go. (contact Karen if you want to go to the memorial service)

Gold Coast flyers/posters; if you are going to be at a bike shop, please take a poster and give it to them. We need to get to Stony Brook. Steve will take care of that bike shop

VP's report-John Greene:

Ride Leader Policy review

Even if you have only one rider, you should lead the ride. It is acceptable to combine with another group.

At the start of every ride, conduct the pre-ride safety talk.

Sal - added to safety talk - if you know there are certain problems along the route that require attention, call this out during the safety talk.

Four way stops - if a car gets there first, we are obligated to stop

If cars are ahead of you at a light, wait behind the cars. Do not ride up beside the cars.

Ride Leaders - when you start a ride, assume most people have not ridden yet and do not go out right at maximum pace immediately

• Stick to the ride level speed on the flats.

• Instruct the whole group to signal turns.

Ride Leader points are up on the board. Does anyone want any more details in the report? 

 Larry sent that out to all the ride leaders.  John thinks the prior report format was better so everyone at the Club Meeting could see where all the ride leaders are going.  John would like to see further details.  Larry can send the entire Excel file to the entire club. Would this be valuable? Keep in mind, not every ride leader has a computer with RWGPS and cue sheets.

They  just go for a ride to enjoy the ride

Membership Report-Sal  

2 new members were in attendance - Mohammad and Steve 

6 new members this past month but we are down in total 12 memberships last month. Some are family memberships, so we are down 20 members.

Talk up the club when you are out riding

Gold Coast report-Steve

Everything is going well

Had Five Borough Bike Club sending information abut our ride to their 17,000 members

Working with road marking crews

Still need more riders and volunteers

Need volunteers for ride leader and sweep for 12 mile ride - 10 people have signed up for this ride so far

The Sag Wagon is under control

Kids Need More is going to bring about 10 volunteers

Active Chiropractic is going to bring volunteers

Everything will be delivered to each rest stop site in the morning of the ride

The Gold Coast Volunteer party will be at Scott Gross’ house a week or two after the Gold Coast ride

Bob McLaughlin - Featured Speaker

When you have a flat on the road:

Shift to the  smallest chain ring in the front and smallest sprocket in the back

Get tire levers out and use, if you need to

Look around the tire and see if you can see what the issue is

Always put the valve where the center of the label is on the tire

Pull the tube out

If you do not find what caused the flat, it is more trouble b/c put everything back together and have another flat

If have mystery flat, be diligent and careful using your fingers to find the issue

If cannot find the issue that caused the flat, could have a pinched tube (this can be caused by low pressure in the tire)

Get new tube out (keep extra tube in a plastic bag with baby powder which helps push the tube into place

Put a little air into the tube with a CO2 valve to give the tube a little shape

Make sure the label is lined up with the hole for the valve

Push the slightly inflated tube into the tire

Always start at the valve and push it in around the rim.

When you get to the end, let some air out to make it easier to finish.

Either use the tire iron VERY carefully not to puncture the new tube, or pinch the tube between the tire and the rim.

Better to do the checking by hand

Make sure the stem is pushed in and then go around the entire tire, starting at the valve, to see if the tube is visible anywhere

Can either go ahead and inflate the tire with CO2 before mounting the tire back onto the bike

If using CO2, when you get home, deflate the tire  and put real air in

Competition to see who could change a flat tire the fastest - $25.00 1st place, $15.00 2nd place

Steven Siegel - 3 minutes 12 seconds

Mohammad Uddin - 3 minutes and 19 seconds

Don Natiello - 3 minutes 56 seconds

 Merry Lewin won the 50/50 of $45.00

8:45 PM Karen called for motion to adjourn - Bob McLaughlin seconded