Bicycle Mechanics - Pro-Link or White Lightning?

So, I've been using White Lightning chain lube since I started riding again roughly a year ago. It's time for a new bottle... but I remember resolving to buy Pro-Link the next time around - I just can't remember why!

What I'm looking for is an all-conditions lube that will set up dry and not attract too much dirt; I obviously lube more often in wet conditions, but I don't want to get into the whole different-lubes-for-different-days thing; I just want a lube I can apply regularly for riding year-round.

Which of the above is the better choice? Or do you recommend something altogether different? Remember, setting up dry is important to me, so if it's a pure oil-based lube, it probably won't meet my needs...

Thanks!

-chris

So, I've been using White Lightning chain lube since I started riding again roughly a year ago. It's time for a new bottle... but I remember resolving to buy Pro-Link the next time around - I just can't remember why!

What I'm looking for is an all-conditions lube that will set up dry and not attract too much dirt; I obviously lube more often in wet conditions, but I don't want to get into the whole different-lubes-for-different-days thing; I just want a lube I can apply regularly for riding year-round.

Which of the above is the better choice? Or do you recommend something altogether different? Remember, setting up dry is important to me, so if it's a pure oil-based lube, it probably won't meet my needs...

Thanks!

-chris

Personally, I'm not too sold on White Lightning because it seems so variable from bottle to bottle. One bottle looks like water and the next is almost all solids.

I'm sure that you will get lots and lots of advice on this subject. Everytime it comes up (and it comes up a lot), I learn of the existence of some wonderful new chain lube product that I'd never heard of before. I think that it would be cool if Bicycling Magazine or somebody would do a controlled research study on chain lubes. Trouble is, if they tested 10 products, they'd make a friend of one advertiser and nine enemies.

I have used White Lightning in the past and currently use Pro Link. For an all year round lube I would say Pro Link. Not nearly as messy as WL, easier to clean, attracts less grit and makes the drive train seem quieter.

Pro-Link

I preferr White Lightning because it definately attracts less dirt than Pro Link where I ride, and in my old age I am too lazy to clean my chain and cassett often.

does it make a difference what lube you use and often often you lube / degrease if you only ride in good weather (and don't ride in the rain)?

does it make a difference what lube you use and often often you lube / degrease if you only ride in good weather (and don't ride in the rain)?

Doesn't seem like it. I clean my chain after every coule rides using a silicon spray lubricant. I put the bike onto my trainer then section by section, hose the chain down real good with the silicon spray (holding a rag under it) to clean it out good, wipe it off, then apply another light coat. My chain stays shiney, quiet, with no sign of rust or tight/binding links all season. The cassette and cranks also stay very clean since the chain never really accumulates much grime. I put about 2,500 miles or so a year on my bike and put a new chain on every spring. I have no idea if it is streached or not, but shifting is consistantly good. BTW, I go through about a can and a half of spray lube a season. Stuff's cheap!

Seems I often use White Lightening.. Often seems pretty watery, but applies easily. Maybe that is why I over lubricate. My owners manual on two of my bikes recommends Pro LInk...That must say something. I have Pro Link Gold..
Guess, I often use White Lightening. It comes in 2 oz. bottles that is easy to carry in your handlebar pack.

So, I've been using White Lightning chain lube since I started riding again roughly a year ago. It's time for a new bottle... but I remember resolving to buy Pro-Link the next time around - I just can't remember why!

What I'm looking for is an all-conditions lube that will set up dry and not attract too much dirt; I obviously lube more often in wet conditions, but I don't want to get into the whole different-lubes-for-different-days thing; I just want a lube I can apply regularly for riding year-round.

Which of the above is the better choice? Or do you recommend something altogether different? Remember, setting up dry is important to me, so if it's a pure oil-based lube, it probably won't meet my needs...

Thanks!

-chris

I wouldn't suggest White Lightning for year-round riding. It doesn't seem to do well in wet weather. It's great for dry weather and gravel roads, though.

I wouldn't suggest White Lightning or any other wax based lube for anything! Once you try one of those wax lubes you will discover that only after 40 to 60 miles of riding the chain starts to make noise again; well that noise is telling you the chain is no longer being protected thus it's wearing out faster. I have never used Pro-Link but have heard is very good. I use Finish Line Teflon Dry and like it as much as TriFlow that I used for years before switching to the wax crap.

I think Pro Link is the best lube out there. I use it religiously in wet or dry weather. It lasts me about 100 miles between applications. Smells kind of funny, but it works great.

Try this lube. I've been using the "Gold" on my road bike for 4 years and when I do overhauls for people I introduce them to Rock-n-Roll and everyone likes it. Look at their site for all the other items they sell. I do a lot of overhauls for extra cash and I'm crazy about the Super-web grease. It will string between your fingers for about 3-inches so it stays on the bearings and does not wander off.

Check out all their products at www.rocklube.com

Absolute Dry Chain Lube

Absolute Dry chain lube 4 oz. $5.99
Absolute Dry chain lube 16 oz. $16.99

This is a super clean chain lube, in fact, this lube is not a self-cleaning lube, it simply picks up little or no dirt. For road bikes only. Available in 4 or 16 oz.

Application Instructions

Shake well and apply a stream of lube to the chain at the cassette. Do not drip the lube on like you would oil-this is not oil!


Get the chain really wet, this stuff cleans and lubes all in one. Freewheel the chain backwards for about 5 seconds-no less.


Wipe off all the excess lube (all of it, wipe the chain as clean as it will get). That's it go ride ...

It depends on where you ride. Here in N Florida, our soil is very sandy. Even our hard pack single track has a layer of sand on it. The drive train is constantly bathed in sand. Where I ride in the N Georgia mountains, it's relatively clean with a little water and mud once in a while. White Lightening is the best choice for N Florida and it works very well. In N Georgia, you'd have a lot more suitable choices and probably should go with something better suited to moisture protection.

Al

I live in Ohio and use Prolink. I have never tried White Lightning and I see no reason to. The Prolink lasts a long time through rain, snow, etc and my chain is never very dirty regardless of conditions.

When I first got back into cycling about 10 years ago, I tried White Lightning. I don't like it at all because it builds up after only a couple applications. Also, in cold weather it get's very hard and inhibits chain librication.

Prolink lubricates effectively, doesn't wash off as quickly as other dry lubes (tri-flow) and creates only minimal build-up, and doesn't attract much dirt. I've tried many lubes (White Lightning, tri-flow, Dumonde, Finish-Line Cross Country, etc.) and ProLink is my fav. Dumonde Tech is another lube similar to Prolink, but it creates more build-up on the chain.

I wouldn't suggest White Lightning or any other wax based lube for anything! Once you try one of those wax lubes you will discover that only after 40 to 60 miles of riding the chain starts to make noise again; well that noise is telling you the chain is no longer being protected thus it's wearing out faster. I have never used Pro-Link but have heard is very good. I use Finish Line Teflon Dry and like it as much as TriFlow that I used for years before switching to the wax crap.
I'll second that. I folowed the instructions to a T using WL on my new bike. Now after 1200 miles I am giving it up. After 40 - 60 miles the chain starts to squeek, reapply and it goes away but comes back. I did like it b/c it was clean like if you touched the chain you would'nt get stuff all over you. But I am using something I think called T9 now with good results...

I've been using Voo Dew for about a month or so now and it seems to work really well. It does a good job of keeping everything clean and quiet. It's supposed to set up a boundary layer of protection on the metal parts that it comes in contact with. This layer is present even if you don't see any oil.

Anyone else use this stuff?

Voo dew (http://www.voodew.com)

Prolink, nothing but.

Prolink

I use prolink year round in new england, It seem to quiet the drivetrain best and stays on the chain about 100 miles, even in rain and snow.

Pro-Link for me.

In Texas you can get this special lubricant that is made of the fat of the Diamond Back Rattler... It actually makes the chain stronger then it was made in the factory, and not only does it eliminate 100% of the friction, it was found by an independent laboratory to INCREASE the power transfer from the chain ring to the cogs... compatible with Shimano AND Campy! the commercial name is Snakeoil-UltraDry. :D

Another vote for Rock n Roll lubes.
although I just might have to try that snakeoil lube. . . :D

Marty

GT85!!! The greatest thing to happen to bike chains since the Powerlink.

I've been using Prolink for about 3 years and found it the best in the dry, hardpack of Southern CA. It's great stuff! I too want a dry lube and although this stuff looks like it'll remain wet, it does dry. I use a dry brush to knock off dust and dirt and apply Prolink after every few rides (roughly 40-50 miles).

I've tried White Lightning, Pedros Ice Wax, and Finish Line in the past.

You can buy Prolink directly from the manufacturer's website.

Personally, I'm not too sold on White Lightning because it seems so variable from bottle to bottle. One bottle looks like water and the next is almost all solids.

I'm sure that you will get lots and lots of advice on this subject. Everytime it comes up (and it comes up a lot), I learn of the existence of some wonderful new chain lube product that I'd never heard of before. I think that it would be cool if Bicycling Magazine or somebody would do a controlled research study on chain lubes. Trouble is, if they tested 10 products, they'd make a friend of one advertiser and nine enemies.

i remember hearing about someone at a university in the US who, (probably as a thesis project or something) tested every single combination of tubular tire cement, and tire to come up with the best possible combinations...the results were then shared with USACycling, and all the major US teams...

my point is, i'm sure someone out there has given this a ton of thought and done the research, and it's probably out there if you look in the right places. but i bet the results are going to be pretty inconclusive for something like chain lube. it seems like a lot of what people think is "the absolute best" chain lube has to do with personal preference.

i use pro-link, because it's what i have...it doesn't seem to do a whole lot unless i use it on a bike that has a really nasty chain that's never been lubed, or hasn't been in a long time... the shop i work for uses phils tenacious oil, which doesn't make a lot of sense to me, but the owner told me to use it, so i use it. another shop i know of uses pedro's...

my only complaint about pro-link is that it's smelly...and phil's seems too thick to be a good chain lube. i've never used pedro's.

this all reminds me that i should clean and lube my drivetrains...maybe later.

Damn. After all that, I guess I'll throw out the 3-in-1.

> Try this lube. ... Rock-n-Roll Gold

I will second this. Absolutely, the best lube around.
Best.

So, I've been using White Lightning chain lube since I started riding again roughly a year ago. It's time for a new bottle... but I remember resolving to buy Pro-Link the next time around - I just can't remember why!

Chris,

I transitioned from White Lightning to ProLink last month. I'm very satisfied with the ProLink.

At first, I wasn't. The chain was still very noisy, and the whole drivetrain seemed to be sluggish. I thought I had cleaned the chain properly, but White Lightning is tenacious. I cracked the chain off of the bike, and soaked it in mineral spirits. The WL fell off, along with all the gunk that was still on the chain. I decided to also clean off the rollers and cassette. I'm glad I did.

My chain is much quieter, and the drivetrain is easier to spin. If you decide to change over, make sure you clean out the chain, the cassette, and the front chainrings, as the White Lightning will be a problem if you don't.

-- Sean