Bicycle Mechanics - Best Chain Lube?

Ok what do you live by?

i use pedro's....

They use ONLY Tri-Flow at my favorite bike shop.

zeego ...

i'm currently in love with pedro's extra dry, works well for me. of course there are a bunch of threads in the forums on this subject, do a search and get a hundred more opinions :)

-- michael

Finish Line Cross Country

Ok what do you live by?

Best chain lube you say? Why it's "3 in 1 oil" all the way!!

I use Pro Link Chain Lube (http://www.progoldmfr.com/products/prolink.html).

;)

Ed

They use ONLY Tri-Flow at my favorite bike shop.

Yep, I only use Tri-Flow too.

Castrol Gun Lube

right now I am playing around with voowdew. it is about the slickest thing I have seen. now I am testing it for longevity.
http://www.voodew.com/Falex/Extreme%20Pressure%20tests.htm

I've used Tri-flow on my road bike, but avoid it for my mountain bike. It collects too much dirt and gets UGLY black!

I've use White Lightning with much success. I've also used Finish Line Krytech and it's worked similar to the the White Lightning.

Currently, I'm using the aforementioned Pedro's Dry Lube. This has been a great lube and has worked very well for the road and mountain bike. It's my current #1 recommendation.

L8R

another vote for tri-flow. LBS recommended it. It has worked great so far.

Finish Line Krytech.

Tri flow for my road bike

Hi,
I alternate between Prolink and Finish Line Century.
Provides a very smooth feel.

Ok what do you live by?

For my mountain bike, it's Prolink! Best dang stuff for the dry, hardpack in Southern California.

I use Pro Link Chain Lube (http://www.progoldmfr.com/products/prolink.html).

;)

EdBest stuff out there

Ok what do you live by?

I live by anything except anything that has wax in it!! Wax is crap, it last only about 60 miles and then the chain starts to fuss, and that fuss is wear happening to your $35 chain. Would you drive your car if your engine started making noise due to bad or no oil? Why not? So why do that to your chain? Stay away from the wax products.

3 in 1 motor oil is a 20 weight and the 3 in 1 household is 18w oil that like engine oil will attrack dirt like flies to fly paper; again not good for chain life because the grit will destroy the chain; kind of like using no oil filter on your engine.

TriFlow has one poster said is very good, I used it for 20 years before switching to wax...I needed to learn a lesson!! I like to experiment, so after the wax crap shortened my chain life by 100% I got a new chain and started using Speed Skate Lube about 3 years ago. I actually liked it except it came only in a spray and had to wait 24 hours for it dry, so about 6 months later I switched to Finish Line Teflon Dry...which I also learned from my LBS to let it dry 24 hours also then wipe. This stuff holds up real well...at least in dry climates, not sure about rain. I decided to test the Finish Line by not relubing intill the chain made noise, after about 800 miles it still was quiet, but it was black as cole so I cleaned the chain and relubed it. I now clean and relube about every 200 miles.

I had to replace my freewheel about 3 years ago and about a 8 months later I could hear the pawls clicking (this bothered me because I'm use to silence), so I took the Speed Skate Lube and sprayed the freewheel to see what would happen, and the thing hasn't made a sound since!

Remember I said I liked to experiment? Last week I decided to try something, I first cleaned the chain (as I aways do when I relube), then lubed with the Speed Skate Lube, I let that dry for 24 hours, then applied the Finish Line Teflon Dry and let it dry for another 24 hours. So far so good, but it's way to early to tell.

For my mountain bike, it's Prolink! Best dang stuff for the dry, hardpack in Southern California.

On my MTB's,I have been experimenting with chain lubes. I have been lubing with each and then riding 100 miles. I have ridden in identical conditions with each lube. So far I have found Boeshield to last the longest. I just used Pro Link for the first time and i am not impressed. I only got about 50 miles before i started to get chain chatter. My chain was so noisy today that I thought it was going to explode! I have used Boeshield for the previous 2500 miles and almost always get 100 miles before the chain makes any noise.

Tri flow is very similar to the Pro Link in duration. I think I will be sticking to BoeShield from now on.

I have not found a lube that only lasts 50 miles. myself if you clean the chain well most of the lubes last a long time. but What I am after is long lasting in the rain and the least amount of lube on the chain so it stays clean. that last part is the hardest. no lube o far lasted after I wiped the chin to where there was nothing visible. after that I get a few days riding then it got noisy.

Correction (since I looked at the bottle this morning): Finish Line Teflon Dry. As one of the other posters mentioned, it works really well when you let it sit and then wipe. Tri-flow attracts way too much crud in my experience.

Pedros Extra Dry on chain, Boeshield T9 everywhere else.

Looks like I may try Pro-Link or VooDew.

Voodew chain lube.

I have not found a lube that only lasts 50 miles. myself if you clean the chain well most of the lubes last a long time. but What I am after is long lasting in the rain and the least amount of lube on the chain so it stays clean. that last part is the hardest. no lube o far lasted after I wiped the chin to where there was nothing visible. after that I get a few days riding then it got noisy.

I hadn't either till I tried this Pro Link. I degrease and relube my chain every 100 miles. (on 2 bikes) I often go the entire 100 miles with no chain talk using T9 (Boeshield). This Pro link didn't make it half that long before the chatter started. I ride on a lot of dirty roads so lube is heavily tested on my DT.

I have been using DuMonde Tech for the past 5 years. I recently switched to the Tech Lite for my roadbike though. It's a wet lube but acts a lot like a dry lube.

I agree from similar experience w/ Froze. I used WL and it worked for 50 miles and thats it! I admit I liked it cause you coult touch the chain and get no greasy stains on you but the stuff just does not work well. I switched to T( and found it works quite well. It is a bit expensive though so some times I just use WD-40.

Well - i went to the hardware store and bought some Tri-Flow. Can't beat the price for one thing. Its all I remember using when I was a mechanic back in the day. Yeah, Tri-Flow may pick up some more dirt than others but if there's tons of dirt on your chain you need to clean it more often. z

It is a bit expensive though so some times I just use WD-40.

Uh oh. Can o' worms officially opened.

lol - im just an anal ***** that's all

Prolink.

Uh oh. Can o' worms officially opened.

Ahhh they're all over the place! :P

Pedro's Extra Dry on the road and mountain bikes.

Goat's blood, obtained on the first full moon after the winter solstice.

Failing that, Finish Line Cross Country.

I've used Tri-flow on my road bike, but avoid it for my mountain bike. It collects too much dirt and gets UGLY black!

I've use White Lightning with much success. I've also used Finish Line Krytech and it's worked similar to the the White Lightning.


I've had the same results. Triflow doesn't work for me even on hardpack in the N Georgia mountains much less here in the N Florida sand. I keep going back to white lighting even after trying Pedro's. I reapply roughly every 5 rides which is about 100 miles. More often if the chain gets wet. I find that the drivetrain stays cleaner if I wipe off the excess after it dries overnight.

Al

I've been using Prolink for about a year and a half- great stuff. I've been getting at least 200 miles between applications and runs very quiet.

I have been using Prolink about every 100 miles, I just put a drop on every link and wipe the chain off with a rag, I do not use anything to clean the chain.

Dumond tech original seems to work the best for my mtb and old 10 speed, dry to the touch and a good luber, quite to, 40 miles offroad in all conditions and its like I just lubed it last night.
D.T Light is a thined version of Original Dumonde so that it is easier to apply with out over applying on the new fangled roadbikes with skinny chains, original is for burly ol' mtb components.
I've tried white lighting, pedros ice wax, tri flow, and pedros version of triflow. The waxes don't lube worth beans, tri-flow is good for an oil but picks up dirt, makes a good cable lube but so does Mobile1 in an old tri-flow squeeze bottle, $5 a quart-never run out. (tri-flow is a way better than Water Displacer number 40,[W.D.] like 5 times the lubrication, I've done tests with quite clear results)

I think the "perfect lube" varies amongst everyone. I don't do a lot of off-roading, mostly commuting to/from work and running errands on the weekend - but I switched to Purple Extreme (http://www.purpleextreme.com/) last week. I got a few free samples from my LBS and so far I really like it. I don't do a lot of riding in heavy rain, but it rained the oher day for about 3 hours while my bike was locked up and I didn't have to relube when I got home.

The reason I was looking to switch (I was using Tri-Flow) was because I ride in my work clothes and I had my chain come off last week mid-ride and I was a total greasy mess by the time I got it back on. I decided I had to find something that was less messy. The LBS tech recommended trying P.E. but also said he had never used it. The web site claims it lasts up to 400 miles rain or shine per application. I'll let you know in another 370. :)

Vincent

does it still let the chain get black?

does it still let the chain get black?

If that was directed at me regarding Purple Extreme: No, it's a waxed base lube so there's no grody black residue like oil based lube. I was told it's supposed to last longer than other waxes. The guy at the LBS admitted he had not tried it - but it was a free sample so I figured I'd give it a shot. :)

I have to say I do notice a bit of black (not NEAR as much as before) but I think that's due to the additive in the Purple Extreme that "clean" your chain (much like White Lightening does.) I say this because I noticed it was all on the side opposite of the side I applied the lube.

So far I like it. Hell, even if I end up having to buy a new bottle every month it'd be cheaper than all the gas/insurance I was paying when I had my car!

Vincent

I used tri-flow all through school and I remember rolling up my right pant leg to avoid the black grime, that and it made sure the chain wouldn't grab my cuff. The dumond doesn't get the grime, stays very clean actualy.

Rock'n'roll Extreme. Read the glowing reviews on the Mountain Bike Review site.

Gee, I feel so uncool. All I use is a motor oil/mineral spirits mix (25% oil). Use an eyedropper and put a drop on each link. Wipe the chain down with a WD-40 soaked rag afterwards. Voila !!

So far its worked very well on the Road, Singlespeed, Mountain and Fixed Gear.

If that was directed at me regarding Purple Extreme: No, it's a waxed base lube so there's no grody black residue like oil based lube. I was told it's supposed to last longer than other waxes. The guy at the LBS admitted he had not tried it - but it was a free sample so I figured I'd give it a shot. :)

Vincent

got my bottle and put some on yesterday. I must not have gotten enough on as Ai was squeaking before i got home (G)

The dumondtech I use is a polymer base not a wax or oil base. It seems to last and last, start with a clean clean chain, apply, spin a couple times to work it, wipe the chain with a rag and its good for a hundred miles or more. I recommend letting it set overnight though it doesn't set up hard, but its sweet smelling when fresh so there must be something evaporating.

ProLink is the best stuff

So what exactly is all that black grimey stuff after using Tri-Flow?

ProLink is the best stuff
till it rains or you want a clean chain. there are far better lubes out there.

I've been using tri-flow for so long that I figured by now there would be something better, but I see people still use it. It does get grimy, but that's part of the mystique of cycling.

I know many years ago people would dip there chain in candle wax. They said it worked better than any oil based product, and kept the chain silent but made a big mess. Never tried it.

got my bottle and put some on yesterday. I must not have gotten enough on as Ai was squeaking before i got home (G)

I haven't had that problem. I don't ride a lot in the rain, but there's lots of puddles here since it's been raining a lot during the day while I'm at work. I got some sqeaks after about 3 weeks... but I had just finished cleaning the bike and I didn't have a lot of lube left int he tester. I just re-applied today, I'll let you know how it goes.

Vincent