Bicycle Mechanics - I Hate White Lightning

Ok, here's my problem with White lightning...I tried using White Lightning twice now, thinking the first time was a anomoly or something...My chain sounds like a rusted out huffy chain compared to my normal lube(tri flow/teflon)...with my triflow, it takes a month for my chain to get enough grit and grime in it to make anything close to these sounds....is it just me, the lube, or is this a problem with other wax based lubricants as well? And yes, I shook the life out of the bottle before applying, AND I apply it after degreasing off the bike, rinsing, drying. discuss....this should be fun.:D

Oh great... I thought you were JOKING when you said you were gonna start this thread. :rolleyes: Nothing to see here, just another chain lube flamefest, move along everyone...

Would it help if I said that I only use WD-40 for chain degreasing and lubrication?
;)

this should be so fun!!! I use triflo w/teflon, my chain is quiet as a mouse. I love it.

Would it help if I said that I only use WD-40 for chain degreasing and lubrication?
;)
Heathen! Burn him at the stake!!!!!

(BTW, I love your Raleigh. Really nicely done bike build! I thought my touring bike looked sexy, but yours has it beat.)

Why did you switch lubes when the old one was clearly working for you?

Ah yes, good question. Recomendations from friends, said less cleaning required.

Have you ever tired WD-40 :D ?

I've used those wax based lubes (Pedros, I think) and was never really satisfied. If you want a "dry" lube, try Prolink - http://www.progoldmfr.com/. It's petroleum based, goes on wet, but dries quickly. The chain stays quiet longer than using wax based, but not as long as wet lubes. As with dry lubes, they don't hold up well in wet conditions, but seeing you live in San Diego, rain probably isn't an issue. One big plus is dry does not attract crap.

I have ride buddies who swear by White Lightening. Maybe it's the typical boxer v. briefs debate.

(I followed you over from the "degrease new chain" post.)

probabally. I'm going to take the advice of Ganesha and just stick what works for me....triflo w/teflon. Sure it's wet and collects, but I actually enjoy cleaning my chain/cassette/everything else. And with a CLEAN drivetrain, I only have to do the maintenance like once a month. Every 300 miles or so. Thanks for following mudpie. I thought this would get more heated than it has. Maybee if I tell everyone I'm a Republican?

My .02 on a tired subject: White Lightning is okay for dusty, gritty conditions. I used it on mtb's for years, where if I used an oil-based lube, at the end of the ride my chain would have half the trail stuck to it. But wax lubes are very marginal as actual lubricants, that's the trade-off. When I used White Lightning my chain clicked and clacked almost as soon as I lubed it, and I lubed it often. If you so much as come close to a puddle, it's gone. Even the folks at White Lightning say it's a dry-conditions-only lube, they've come out with their "Epic" White Lightning as a more all-around lube. But I can tell you from experience, a true oil based lube (Pro Link Gold is my favorite) is much better for anything but dry, gritty conditions off road.

... I thought this would get more heated than it has. Maybee if I tell everyone I'm a Republican?

Don't bury this thread yet. Today is a holiday, most are getting drunk at BBQs right now. Just wait until they come home this evening and lash out in a drunken stupor.

I just saw a new post about type of grease for headset and bottom brackets. Poor guy is new and doesn't know what's coming!

Oh i wont. Kids are napping, wife is sick. I'm bored. I can always instigate if necessary.

Now you know why I no longer use any wax based lubes; welcome to the club.

TriFlow is the original bicycle chain lube and it's still very good stuff. Another very good product is Finish Line Teflon Plus, similar to TriFlow...at least they both have teflon, other then that I don't really know, but they both work very well. If you have the TriFlow still around use it and don't worry about it; the more expensive stuff just makes your money slide out of your wallet faster.

Dan's first law of chain lube: Anything that (a) penetrates into the close-fitting parts of the chain and lubricates them, (b) remains in place in wet conditions, and (c) does not attract too much dirt, is a good chain lube.

End of story :rolleyes:

Ok, here's my problem with White lightning...I tried using White Lightning twice now, thinking the first time was a anomoly or something...My chain sounds like a rusted out huffy chain compared to my normal lube(tri flow/teflon)...with my triflow, it takes a month for my chain to get enough grit and grime in it to make anything close to these sounds....is it just me, the lube, or is this a problem with other wax based lubricants as well? And yes, I shook the life out of the bottle before applying, AND I apply it after degreasing off the bike, rinsing, drying. discuss....this should be fun.:D

I refuse to take the bait.

Regards,

Try using KC Masterpiece.
Hickory seems to penetrate the best.

Try using KC Masterpiece.
Hickory seems to penetrate the best.But only after flaying the parts open first and marinating them 30 minutes prior to any ride.

Would it help if I said that I only use WD-40 for chain degreasing and lubrication?
;)

It's pretty funny how opinionated people are about this stuff. I used WD-40 for ten years and was pretty happy. I tried White Lightning, and decided I liked how clean it kept everything without being oily. The calf tatoos are much fainter. I've been using W.L. now for 6 years, and it's fine. I put it on once a week, just like WD, and it's just as quiet as WD. My parts all wear at the same rate as with WD. It costs about 10 times as much per ounce, but there's a lot less waste. <shrug>

From what I can tell, any lube will work as well as any other lube. Just choose based on availability, price, and the non-lubrication-related attributes you favor.

From what I can tell, any lube will work as well as any other lube. Just choose based on availability, price, and the non-lubrication-related attributes you favor.

I think that this is basically true provided the rider is aware of when they should lube, and they keep an eye on it, which anyone who delves into a lube thread knows.

I switched to WL about a year ago, and it seems to be fine for me here in NYC. But the conditions here are pretty dusty/filthy/scummy. I just thought I'd ask the OP if he actually cleaned his chain before putting on his first application of WL. I think that especially if you're swapping lubes with different bases/qualities, not doing so will simply lead to your new lube sloughing off pretty quickly. Esp. if there was some WD-40 on it from before, this could have prevented the WL from penetrating and sticking.

Otherwise, if it's not working, pass it on to an MTB friend, go back to what works.

PS Isn't it about time a mod just started a "lube" sticky? <edit> Make it "lube + application/purpose/conditions."

Ok, here's my problem with White lightning...I tried using White Lightning twice now, thinking the first time was a anomoly or something...My chain sounds like a rusted out huffy chain compared to my normal lube(tri flow/teflon)...with my triflow, it takes a month for my chain to get enough grit and grime in it to make anything close to these sounds....is it just me, the lube, or is this a problem with other wax based lubricants as well? And yes, I shook the life out of the bottle before applying, AND I apply it after degreasing off the bike, rinsing, drying. discuss....this should be fun.:D


I used White Lightening (WL) for years on my road bike after switching from Triflow. I never did have any problems with WL until this summer.

I noticed that this summer it gets noisier faster and hence I need to apply it more. I looked at the bottle and it says "New Formula".

I'm thinkin' I'll go back to Triflow.....

I was at the beach camping for a week, white lightning on a brand new chain (degreaser before lube, btw.) Within three days the chain had a beard of rust EVERYWHERE. I was so disappointed, I can't even describe it. Degreased, brushed out and cleaned the chain afterwards, went with a wet lube.

I had decided to try dry after a tuneup at an LBS used dry lube, which looked fantastic and seemed to work well... until the sand.

Dan's first law of chain lube: Anything that (a) penetrates into the close-fitting parts of the chain and lubricates them, (b) remains in place in wet conditions, and (c) does not attract too much dirt, is a good chain lube.

End of story :rolleyes:

Of a, b and c, you get to pick two. If there were a chain lube that did all three, there would be no "debate".

Are you talking about moonshine, aka "mountain dew"? You're supposed to drink it, I think. But probably an OK solvent, too...

I'll hush up my mug
If you fill up my jug
With some good ol' mountain dew...

I was at the beach camping for a week, white lightning on a brand new chain (degreaser before lube, btw.) Within three days the chain had a beard of rust EVERYWHERE. I was so disappointed, I can't even describe it. Degreased, brushed out and cleaned the chain afterwards, went with a wet lube.

I had decided to try dry after a tuneup at an LBS used dry lube, which looked fantastic and seemed to work well... until the sand.


Yup, my whole life is within 1,000 yards from Pac. Ocean. Imperial Beach to Coronado. Lots of sand, lots of salt. I just wanted to make sure it wasnt just me about White Lightning.

I am a Boeshield junkie, I don't just put it on my chain, I inject it.
Keeps everything well lubed.

WL definately sucks, but our shop sells more of that than anything else.

Now you know why I no longer use any wax based lubes; welcome to the club.

TriFlow is the original bicycle chain lube and it's still very good stuff. Another very good product is Finish Line Teflon Plus, similar to TriFlow...at least they both have teflon, other then that I don't really know, but they both work very well. If you have the TriFlow still around use it and don't worry about it; the more expensive stuff just makes your money slide out of your wallet faster.
+1, I use both. But I like Triflow better cause it smells great, sorta like glue!

Ok, here's my problem with White lightning...I tried using White Lightning twice now, thinking the first time was a anomoly or something...My chain sounds like a rusted out huffy chain compared to my normal lube(tri flow/teflon)...with my triflow, it takes a month for my chain to get enough grit and grime in it to make anything close to these sounds....is it just me, the lube, or is this a problem with other wax based lubricants as well? And yes, I shook the life out of the bottle before applying, AND I apply it after degreasing off the bike, rinsing, drying. discuss....this should be fun.:D

i posted the same thing earlier this year. i've used tri-flow and now boeshield t-9 for the duration and i thought i would give white lightning a try.

i hated the stuff mainly because of the drivetrain noise and it really wasn't much cleaner than a properly wet-lubed chain :eek: .

ed rader

Two words - PRO LINK!

i learnt in prison that spit is a good lube if you're in a tight spot