Breaking in a new cube?

[Rubik the Cubik]

I'm fairly new to speedcubing (3x3 PB 44 seconds) and am getting a 2x2 cube with weight 5 and 2 silicone lube for Christmas. I've read that before you lube a cube you should break it in first? Why is this? How will I know when my cube is sufficiently broken in for lubing? Should I break it in before lubing both the core and pieces or just the pieces?

I will also be lubing my 3x3 for the first time which will be a year old. Will the cube be negatively affected by my lack of cleaning/lubing (I do plan to clean it before lubing)?

Thanks for your help.

 

[Username]

Personally, I always lube the core immediately, do a bunch of solves (amount varies depending on puzzle) and then add a little bit of lube IF NEEDED. The breaking in helps reduce friction and already makes the cube faster, lubing it first slows down the breaking in process too.

 

[Rocky0701]

I'm fairly new to speedcubing (3x3 PB 44 seconds) and am getting a 2x2 cube with weight 5 and 2 silicone lube for Christmas. I've read that before you lube a cube you should break it in first? Why is this? How will I know when my cube is sufficiently broken in for lubing? Should I break it in before lubing both the core and pieces or just the pieces?

I will also be lubing my 3x3 for the first time which will be a year old. Will the cube be negatively affected by my lack of cleaning/lubing (I do plan to clean it before lubing)?

Thanks for your help.

I have heard this too, but I would go ahead and lube it if I were you. Breaking it in takes a long time, so just lube it whenever you feel like it. Don't overlube though or else it will make the cube slower, just do a little bit at first and add more when you the cube starts to feel dry. Lubing your 3x3 will not be affected from cleaning it out before. The cube should actually be pretty clean since it has no lube in it for dirt and stuff to stick to. Cleaning it out beforehand is a good idea though to get the cubedust out.

 

[Rubik the Cubik]

Ok so I can lube the core straight away then break it in for a couple of weeks and add a small bit of lube to the pieces?

 

[Rocky0701]

Ok so I can lube the core straight away then break it in for a couple of weeks and add a small bit of lube to the pieces?

Yeah, that sounds good. Basically do whichever you prefer, it'll be about the same either way.

 

[richardye1]

hmmm breaking in can be a confusing topic but i was also wondering the same thing. I got a few aolongs and weilongs but i got them taken away so im stuck with the 4 guanlongs that my parents dont know about. Since these cubes only last ~30,000 solves each, should i be actively breaking them in? and lubing them? how about breaking them in before lubing them. hehehe because i average like 13

 

[Rubik the Cubik]

hmmm breaking in can be a confusing topic but i was also wondering the same thing. I got a few aolongs and weilongs but i got them taken away so im stuck with the 4 guanlongs that my parents dont know about. Since these cubes only last ~30,000 solves each, should i be actively breaking them in? and lubing them? how about breaking them in before lubing them. hehehe because i average like 13

I hadn't realised cubes get worse with time. I've had a Dayan Zhanchi for a year now...no idea how many solves I've done but any clues on when to buy a new one?

 

[brian724080]

I hadn't realised cubes get worse with time. I've had a Dayan Zhanchi for a year now...no idea how many solves I've done but any clues on when to buy a new one?

Plastic can chip off over time. You should consider buying a new if your cube pops a lot, and tensioning it doesn't fix it.

 

[Username]

I hadn't realised cubes get worse with time. I've had a Dayan Zhanchi for a year now...no idea how many solves I've done but any clues on when to buy a new one?

I've done tens of thousands of solves with my zhanchi during two years and it's still good, so I wouldn't worry if it I were you. You'll notice that it starts popping unless it's too tight to turn well, that's when it's getting worn out