Lubricating a bicycle chain is a simple maintenance job, but it is surprisingly easy to use too much oil. The excess can drip onto the floor, collect dirt or end up on the rider’s hands. German bicycle-accessory company Flectr has developed a compact applicator intended to make the process cleaner and more controlled.
Called the Green Disc+ bike-chain lubricator, the handheld device resembles a small plastic puck. At its center is a rotating, fluid-carrying applicator wheel. The user places this wheel lightly against one side of the chain and turns the pedals backward, then repeats the process on the other side.
Flectr says three rotations per side are enough to coat the chain. Because the applicator touches the links directly, it is designed to deposit oil more precisely than squeezing lubricant from a bottle while the chain is moving.
A refillable applicator made for everyday cyclists
The Green Disc+ opens into two magnetically connected halves, allowing lubricant to be added directly to the absorbent wheel. One filling is claimed to cover as many as 10 complete chain treatments, although actual use will depend on the chain and the amount applied.
Its replaceable applicator is made from compressed natural fiber and is described as biodegradable and compostable when used with a suitable bio-lubricant. Flectr estimates that a wheel should remain usable for around 50 to 70 lubrication cycles. The surrounding housing is made from recycled plastic and comes with a storage box for transport.
The company’s companion Bio Chain Lube is plant based and supplied in a 50-ml (1.7-fl-oz) bottle. The Green Disc+ can also be filled with other low- to medium-viscosity bicycle-chain oils. It is not intended for chain waxes or solvent-based lubricants, which can dry inside the applicator.
A dirty or wet chain should still be wiped clean and dried before lubrication. The tool may reduce drips and overspray, but it does not eliminate the need for normal chain inspection and cleaning.
Pricing and availability
The Green Disc+ is being offered through Kickstarter. At the time of writing, the promotional prices reported for the campaign were €18 (about US$21) for the applicator alone and €23 (about $27) for a package including lubricant. Replacement applicator wheels were listed as €8 (about $9.25) add-ons. Prices, shipping charges, taxes and reward availability can change during a campaign.
Interested cyclists can view the Green Disc+ campaign and current reward options. As with any crowdfunding project, a pledge supports development and is not the same as purchasing an in-stock retail product. Production schedules can move.
For riders who avoid chain maintenance because of the mess, the Green Disc+ offers a neat and unusually simple approach. Its real value will depend on how evenly it lubricates different chains over repeated use, but the refillable design and replaceable natural-fiber wheel make it a practical idea worth watching.
Source: Green Disc+ (Kickstarter)
