Bike Chain Lube Recommendations Wanted

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The thinnest smear of red rubber grease, sticky enough not to fling off and smells divine
smile.gif
 
Originally Posted By: Wheel
I think the wax based ones like White lightning would hold up pretty well in wet. I'm not a fan on my own bike because the wax hangs on and collects dirt, but for a bike outside, that may be best.

Other than that, I'd lean towards Phil Wood's tenacious oil.

My own bike gets Tri-Flow, ATF, tenacious oil, or Pedro's extra-dry.


Old thread, but I remember the rumors at the time that the original Pedro's Syn Lube was just repackaged Mobil 1.

One time I tried a lube that was somewhat dry to the touch. It was Super Lube, which was PTFE based in a solvent, but dried into a clear grease-like lubricant.

I just got my first new bike in years. However, the shop I bought it from will do preventative maintenance and tune-ups for free.
 
Originally Posted By: Sluggo0018
My son bought a used 21 speed Mongoose mountain bike last year to use at college in Indiana. The bike sits outside from late August until mid May unprotected. There is no possibility to bring it inside to keep it out of the rain and snow. I am sure he won't take the time to cover it. The frame of the bike is aluminum.

He just bought and installed a new chain to replace the slipping and rusted one. Considering the exposure to the elements, what lube would be recommended for this new chain? I'd like to find something that might stand up to the weather as well as provide the necessary lubrication. I use a wax based lube on my road bike, which is stored inside during bad weather. I don't the wax based lube will hold up in these conditions. I'm thinking something petroleum based and thick (grease?) might last a little longer and not be washed away. I am looking to nurse this bike through the next three years without too much maintenance and replacement of parts.

Any suggestions?
Dumonde Tech Lite is my fav.
 
Originally Posted By: Sluggo0018
My son bought a used 21 speed Mongoose mountain bike last year to use at college in Indiana. The bike sits outside from late August until mid May unprotected. There is no possibility to bring it inside to keep it out of the rain and snow. I am sure he won't take the time to cover it. The frame of the bike is aluminum.

He just bought and installed a new chain to replace the slipping and rusted one. Considering the exposure to the elements, what lube would be recommended for this new chain? I'd like to find something that might stand up to the weather as well as provide the necessary lubrication. I use a wax based lube on my road bike, which is stored inside during bad weather. I don't the wax based lube will hold up in these conditions. I'm thinking something petroleum based and thick (grease?) might last a little longer and not be washed away. I am looking to nurse this bike through the next three years without too much maintenance and replacement of parts.

Any suggestions?
Dumonde Tech Lite is my fav.
 
I use Supertech bar and chain oil (30w) that I had in the shed for my chain saw. I removed the chain from the bike, clean with gasoline and an old toothbrush, let dry, put it in an empty Gatorade plastic bottle and pour the oil in, let it soak. Then I remove it, wipe off the excess, reinstall on bike and ride. The chain on my wife's bike is over 11 years old and still good.
 
Outside all winter?? I'd get a Wipperman stainless steel chain, then oil it with whatever wet lube is least expensive at your local department store or bike shop and re-apply often.

I saw some people mention chain-l. Might lubricate chains well but I won't use it, it causes way, way too much mess.

I use Dupont wax lube and I throw away my chains every 1500-1700 miles. I'm heavy and I stand on the pedals a lot, result is chain stretch. I find the cheap chains actually last me longer because they're not trying to take all sorts of material out to make them lighter, like for example with the drilled side plates and hollow pins you see on some chains. I'm using KMC 9SL on my bikes and I get them online for $13.

I once ran a high zoot chain for like 5000 miles on Prolink lube, cleaning it religiously, but it snapped one day and not only that it caused a ton of wear on my expensive Campy casette, so much so that both had to be replaced. Now, I do none of those things, i.e., buy high end chains, high end casettes or run chains that long. I find cheap chains replaced often lead to long cassette and chainring life and better shifting to boot. Plus the wax lube doesn't attract dirt. The downside is of course you have to re-apply every 200ish miles. I don't mind, doesn't take that long when your chain stays clean all the time!

But uh yeah for OP - get a stainless chain and wet lube.
 
I just applied WD-40 Specialist Water Resistant Silicone Lubricant to my chains. Liking it so far.
 
Originally Posted By: totegoat
I just applied WD-40 Specialist Water Resistant Silicone Lubricant to my chains. Liking it so far.


I agree. Just spray it on after each ride, wipe off the excess - ready for the next ride. I've been using it for just about a year and like it a lot.
 
Originally Posted By: ueberooo
Marvel Mystery oil works perfect in cooler weather. Smells good too.


Tried Fluid Film last time and made to much of a mess. Got a cheap oiler from HF and going to try 4oz of MMO and 8oz of Merc V mix. At least it should decent!
 
Originally Posted By: Clevy

Prior to bar oil I used canola oil.
Worked well to be honest.


wow, this the out of box idea i was looking for. did it go rancid and smell? that would be my only objection.

i also remember that the guy who tested canola oil in his corolla's engine never came back to give long term results.
 
I just picked up two ounces of triflow. Ive been using a bunch of miscellaneous lubricants, aka not chain specific oils...


Applying a drop to each roller, then letting sit in the sun, then a half mile ride really seemed to expel a lot of dirt.


I usually just used motor oil and didnt think how a specific lube could bebetter,well,it seems to have cleaning properties.


Fluid film made the drivetrain about silent.


Also saw some purple synerlec at the LBS...
 
For outdoor storage, I would go with one of the wax based motorcycle chain lubes(PJ-1, Maxima, Bel ray, etc...) They are made to stand up to outdoor conditions for long periods of time. Either that or you could grease the chain, but that would be incredibly messy.
 
Finish Line wet for you I think.

I ride to work year-round in the Seattle area, mountain bike and road.

Here's what I use, all Finish Line products:

Wet - rain, really long rides, the most resilient lube
Dry - dry, moderate rides
1-Step - commuting in dry and shoulder months
 
Since I ride under very dusty conditions, I use MoS2 spray on my ROHLOFF SLT 99. I service the chain four times a year. Replace as needed every two years or so. If I were to ride in wet weather all the time, I'd use a biodegradable chain saw lubericant, because it resinates with use and thus protects from oxidation.
 
I got a can of unbranded ptfe spray wax from my local bike shop for £4. It sticks to the chain, repels water, quiets squeaks and doesn't get on your socks/ankles/pants.
Shame it doesn't have a name, it's just in a plain plastic bottle.
 
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