Bicycle Mechanics - cleaning, degreasing and lubing... 3 in 1 oil?

So I just want to make sure i'm not messing up my bikes. I have only recently begun doing my own maintenance and such, and because it's what i have on hand, I have used car engine de-greaser to to clean the cogs and chain and such, and 3 in 1 oil to lube everything.

I know i can get bike specific things to do this stuff, but is it okay to use the other stuff? it seems to work well...

A lot of black goo builds up after using 3 in 1 oil a few times, I would avoid it. That stuff is hard to clean off once it is on everything. There are so many good bike lubes out there, you should try them and see what works best for you. Some people prefer a waxy lube for the chain, others use light oil. There are also lubes with Teflon.

Pedro's or Finish Line. I prefer the latter with teflon.

Finish Line Teflon or TriFlow Teflon are very good - if you like Teflon.

For a paraffin-base (wax) lube - Boeshield T-9 is the 'Stuff.'

Get rid of the 3-in-1. Yuck!

Save your money and sanity. 3-in-1 is fine.

3 in 1 will attract dirt and break down lickity-spit. Save having to clean everything every week. Clean everything with good solvents - WD-40 is fine. And then use good oil like Finish Line to lube with. On the chain - one drop per link - after the chain is dried from any cleaning you have done.

No one who has other options and good educational materials uses 3 in 1 anymore. That went out in the 1970's.

3 in 1 will attract dirt and break down lickity-spit. Save having to clean everything every week. Clean everything with good solvents - WD-40 is fine. And then use good oil like Finish Line to lube with. On the chain - one drop per link - after the chain is dried from any cleaning you have done.

No one who has other options and good educational materials uses 3 in 1 anymore. That went out in the 1970's.

Does 3 in 1 break down faster and attract more dirt than other wet lubes?

I use El Duke degreaser and Chain-L oil on my bicycles.

It's a bike. Use bike specific products on it.

It's a bike. Use bike specific products on it.

3 in One debuted in 1894 as a specialized lubricant for...bicycles!

It's one of the oldest cycling products you can still buy.

tcs

3 in One debuted in 1894 as a specialized lubricant for...bicycles!

It's one of the oldest cycling products you can still buy.

tcs

Damn, that changes everything.

If it isn't bike specific, I do not use it on my bike.

WD-40 makes a good lube for about 10 seconds, too. It debuted as a solvent for cleaning cylinder walls in military jeeps, but yet people use it on their bikes as a lube. personally, I've never seen an occasion where I said, "Damn, I need some WD-40" other than having a wet distributor cap once back in the '70's. That was the only time I ever owned a can of the stuff.

Use whatever you think you need. I doubt that two people on this forum/board/thread will suggest the same thing.;)

IIRC, 3-in-1 has a vegetable oil base and thus tends to convert into a gummy residue over time.

Use whatever you think you need. I doubt that two people on this forum/board/thread will suggest the same thing.;)

Yeah. Chain lube is one of those questions that I think belongs on the religion and politics forum. I find it interesting how strongly folks hold such opposite opinions.

Why do people think 3 in 1 contains vegetable oil???

http://www.wd40company.com/files/pdf/msds-3in58412697.pdf

It's a bike. Use bike specific products on it.

Which bike specific product are you referring to here?

Quoting directly from, "Bicycle Maintenance & Repair" 5th edition, by Todd Downs, page 171: On chain cleaning: "Whatever you do, don't use three-in-one oil: It's vegetable-based, which means it will gum up your chain, and it doesn't protect against wear as well as lubricant that is mineral-oil based."

Coming from this book and author, that would make the decision for me about this product.

Why do people think 3 in 1 contains vegetable oil???

http://www.wd40company.com/files/pdf/msds-3in58412697.pdf

Napthenic-based? That is found in plant material. Many, many plants you see contain oils that have been used in industry. Take Cannabis Sativa - hemp - hemp oil was very widely used for everything from squeaky hinges to cooking oil. Or Flax - a variety of which gives us Canola Oil we use in cooking.

IIRC, 3-in-1 has a vegetable oil base and thus tends to convert into a gummy residue over time.

Where do people come up with this stuff - please check MSDS sheets first.

It is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naphthenic_oil

Still not convinced 3 in 1 is vegetable oil based. From the wikipedia link above - "Naphthenic oil is a type of mineral oil...". Mineral oils are petroleum based, not plant based.

Which bike specific product are you referring to here?

The one(s) the OP is asking about.

Chain lube discussion to be continued........ad infinitum.......ad nauseum...........:lol:

I'm not going to say anything because last time someone said what I think about chain lube they were permanently banned from the forum.

Let it suffice to say that this forum is heavily censored and you should draw your own conclusions.

So you're a sock-puppet?

Regards "Mineral Oil" coming from Petroleum - what do you think petroleum comes from?

Will it work? Yes.

Will it be perfect? no.

Will anything be perfect? no.

Once on a dare, I repacked a bottom bracket with crisco. It worked fine, and after many miles I removed it, not because the lubricative properties broke down, but because it began to smell.

I've also stopped doing things on dares, it took me forever to get the smell out.

I use 3 in 1. Will likely replace it with motor oil when I am done. The key is putting little drops. Don't go nuts with it.

Will it work? Yes.

Will it be perfect? no.

Will anything be perfect? no.

Once on a dare, I repacked a bottom bracket with crisco. It worked fine, and after many miles I removed it, not because the lubricative properties broke down, but because it began to smell.

I've also stopped doing things on dares, it took me forever to get the smell out.

+1. I really DO hate it when my bottom bracket smells!

If it isn't bike specific, I do not use it on my bike.

Check it out - the 3-in-One bottle even has a little bicycle icon on the back! :)

tcs

Well today I searched and couldn't find but this SINGER ALL-PURPOSE OIL, it has a bicycle icon on it and it's thin, I found that some BMXers use it http://www.osbmx.com/2008/05/singer-oil-to-rescue.html
Is it any good for lubing the chain?
Here's what it's written on the bottle:
"SINGER® All-Purpose Oil
SINGER® ALL-PURPOSE OIL is a blend of oils selected to enhance adhesive properties for better distribution and to provide lubrication for longer periods than ordinary oils. The frequent use of SINGER® OIL prevents deterioration of domestic and industrial equipment. Not just for sewing machines! Use on fans, bicycles, door hinges, locks, home appliances, etc. Viscosity ISO-VG 10
"

The one(s) the OP is asking about.

I didn't see where the OP mentioned any "bike specific" product by name. I ask this because alot of the lubes that people on these forums use are not "bike specific". Personally I use air tool oil on my bike, nice and light and came in a great little bottle with a 2" long needle applicator ($1/bottle at the Flea market).

To the OP, until I see an actual study showing that 3 and 1 oil is not adequate to lube a bike, I wouldn't have any hesitation in using it on my bike.

Yup. Why listen to us? We are just dumb 'ol bike-mechanics.

I smell troll...

Bike nuts way overthink this oil stuff. For most purposes, bikes simply don't demand very specific qualities from oil. Just about any oil will do.

3 In 1 doesn't have special dirt attracting properties, at least no more than any other oil. It's napthenic oil, as noted, a type of mineral oil. It's possible that at one time it was vegetable based. Perhaps this is where that repeated notion comes from. But it hasn't been vegetable based for a long time, and possibly never has been. It does have a very small amount of citronella. My guess is that it's used simply to add the distinctive odor, not for it's lubricating properties, as it's proportion is insignificant for that purpose.

I've used it before. I have not observed it getting dirtier or gummier or shorter lasting than any other type of mineral oil. Is there any reliable data that says it has all these negative qualities more than plain motor/mineral oil? I'm not convinced Todd Downs is a reliable source, as he seems to have parroted the same old lore that is often assumed to be common knowledge.

3 in 1 is not a satisfactory lube. Trust me - there are better things to use out there, and they're not terribly more expensive. One bottle of bike-specific lube for $5 lasts me a whole year.

Problems with 3 in 1:

too runny - gets slung off the chain and all over everything.
attracts dirt and stays dirty
does not have a volatile part in the mix, so it doesn't wick into the chain and then partially evaporate to stay put
evaporates off too rapidly - chain goes dry within a week.


FWIW, motor oil has many of the same problems.

3 in 1 oil on bike chains might have been popula in the 70's, like wool shorts, nailed in cleats, and motor oil for chains as well.Tri Flow is slighty better, but for REAL lubrication, use the sophisticated oil products that treat the chain parts, like PRO LINK, or Pedros Road Rage, or Rock n Roll. Bicycles are still petrolium dependent!

ALSO
Shecky is not a good contributor for passionate cyclists, he has revealed he is not a cyclist with his view on 3 in 1 oil vs "bike nuts" so if he says it work fine, move on to the next comments.The info here is for riders who have seen 100 plus mile rides or races. God Bless all

This whole Nation has folded into: "Just do what the bottom of the Bell-Curve recommends. It would be discrimination to side with people with experience and knowledge."

Finish Line Teflon - lubing small parts like derailleurs, springs, etc.

Boeshield T-9 for chains.

Grease for bearing-surfaces/races.

Would this also not depend on how often you clean the chain?

If you are in the habit of cleaning your chain every week (I do) then 3in1 Oil should be okay... yes? The dirt it does pick up is removed on a regular basis and the oil is renewed at the same time. Okay, I do use a dry lube (in aerosol form, Halford's own brand), but only because I am a lazy git who cannot be bothered to oil each link. :)

If you want to leave a longer period between chain services then yes, maybe a bike specific lube is the way to go.

Boeshield T-9 was invented by Boeing Aircraft for use with airplane parts. Cleaning the chain is given the hype that you should always soak 'em in some solvent and get them clean all the way through. This is nonsense. Just wiping down the chain is sufficient for normal conditions the chain goes through. I thoroughly clean mine twice a year. The T-9 I add as needed - by feel. One drop/link. Allowed to stand two hours, excess wiped off with a rag - your ready for some good, long outings before it feels dry.

Behave - Or I'll Wake the operator. :eek: :D

Boeshield T-9 was invented by Boeing Aircraft for use with airplane parts. Cleaning the chain is given the hype that you should always soak 'em in some solvent and get them clean all the way through. This is nonsense. Just wiping down the chain is sufficient for normal conditions the chain goes through. I thoroughly clean mine twice a year. The T-9 I add as needed - by feel. One drop/link. Allowed to stand two hours, excess wiped off with a rag - your ready for some good, long outings before it feels dry.

Behave - Or I'll Wake the operator. :eek: :D

Granted... I fully agree. I just use a chain bath for my chain, give it about 30 turns, rinse of the degreaser, dry and apply the lube. It may not be as hard core as some like, but it does work for me. I don't have the time or the energy for removing the chain and shaking it about in a bottle. It takes about 2 mins to clean the chain, 1 min to wipe of the access water from the rinse.. and another minute to apply the lube from the aerosol (it is a water displacer as well)... then wipe away the access lube... job done.

I do admire those with the patience to apply a drop of lube to each link though... that is dedication.

Um... who is the operator? :S

So I just want to make sure i'm not messing up my bikes. I have only recently begun doing my own maintenance and such, and because it's what i have on hand, I have used car engine de-greaser to to clean the cogs and chain and such, and 3 in 1 oil to lube everything.

I know i can get bike specific things to do this stuff, but is it okay to use the other stuff? it seems to work well...

you're not messing up your bikes. There are other lubes that can work better and worse depending on the conditions. I have a folding bike that sits out in the rain a lot. I basically got lazy and mixed/matched different lubes as I discovered that some of the waxy ones allowed rust to develop quickly. I didn't lube it for a week and went for a 50mile ride with some heinous sounds coming out of the chain by the middle of the ride. I was sure I'd put something on it a week before but either way I had to get something on it. Couldn't find tri-flow anywhere so I got some 3in1 and it was perfect.

When I was young and riding a 5spd on 20-50mile rides I used 3in1 all the time. Just wipe the crud off the link plates regularly. If you ride a lot you'll need to lube it more and wipe it down more. If you ride in rain relube it.

Road or Mountain?

3-in-1 or motor oil should be fine for road biking as long as it's not too dusty. Just make sure you wipe, wipe, wipe the excess off. The oil is for the chain bushings, not for the cog to chain contact, just so you know.

If you are riding a mountain bike in dusty or wet conditions, I'd recommend one of the cycling specific lubes. 3-in 1 will work, but it will likely attract dirt more than a dry lube. Depending on your mileage, it's probably not a big deal for chain wear.

I typically clean my chain with water based degreaser, then spray well with WD40, spin, wipe, spin, wipe, wait then spray with Boeshield and Super Lube (PTFE dry-film) ride around the block, spin, wipe, spin wipe.

That's it for the year on both my road and MTB unless I get caught in the rain or mud...

3 in 1 is not a satisfactory lube. Trust me - there are better things to use out there, and they're not terribly more expensive. One bottle of bike-specific lube for $5 lasts me a whole year.

Problems with 3 in 1:

too runny - gets slung off the chain and all over everything.
attracts dirt and stays dirty
does not have a volatile part in the mix, so it doesn't wick into the chain and then partially evaporate to stay put
evaporates off too rapidly - chain goes dry within a week.


FWIW, motor oil has many of the same problems.

This is all pretty much nonsense.

1. If oil is getting slung around, you're using way too much. I take no particular care slathering the chain with whatever kind of oil, whenever it needs, and oil never gets slung about. If you're as anal as most bike nuts seem to be, I don't see how you can have so much oil on your chain that it's getting slung about.

2. ANY oil will attract dirt, especially when exposed to the open surfaces. This is related to the previous point. When oil is on open surfaces, it will visibly attract airborne contaminants. Yet few open surfaces ever actually need to be oiled because they don't wear against anything else. If you're worried about attracting dirt, wipe off the excess.

3. While many lubes have volatile thinning agents, there are very few parts on a bicycle where they are really needed, particularly chains. Bicycle chain pivots are not hermetically sealed, and anything classified as oil will wick into the joints. Don't believe me? Oil your chain with 3-In-1, or motor oil, etc. When you're done, take every pin out of the chain and disassemble the whole thing, then tell me oil didn't wick into the pins and bushings.

4. The idea that 3-In-1 evaporates quickly is interesting, even though it seems to contradict the contention made by many opponents of 3-In-1 that it gets gummy. Which I would think is actually a good thing for a chain, making it more tenacious and less prone to getting slung out, especially in the pins and bushings where the eye can't normally see. In any event, judging by the applicator on the bottle*of 3-In-1 I have, it takes a pretty long time for the stuff to actually evaporate on an exposed surface. The outside of the bottle is always kinda oily (and dirty) even when it's been sitting for months (see point 2).

nah, get the teflon coating.

TriFlow-with Teflon, Finish Line-with Teflon, or Boeshield T-9 for chain.

3 in 1 - Last resort.

ok, so theres different opinons about the 3 in 1. what do you guys think about using an automotive engine degreaser to clean the chain, cassette etc...

ok so threres different opinions on the three in one... what do you guys think about using automotive engine de-greaser to clean chain, cassette etc?

I just recently got into biking and will be buying some lube soon. I really dont want to buy a bunch of different kinds. If im going to get just 1 thing for chains, ders, cogs, bearings, etc a general all purpose lubricant....what should i get?

and i have wd-40 at home of course for cleaning...

.. what do you guys think about using automotive engine de-greaser to clean chain, cassette etc?
Buy a gallon of generic paint thinner at hardware store. Its dirt cheap, and not as toxic as engine degreaser.

speaking of lubes, just for the heck of it I soaked my MTB chain in straight drugstore mineral oil (unsented baby oil). sure it turned completely black with dust after the first ride, but its so smooth! So I was going to degrease the whole thing and go back to my usual super-dry $ilicone $pray lube, but even after a week of daily rides this filthy blackened chain is still smoother and quieter then it ever was with the high tech stuff. ANd even then I had to clean and relube every couple weeks to keep the rust off. go figure...

This whole Nation has folded into: "Just do what the bottom of the Bell-Curve recommends. It would be discrimination to side with people with experience and knowledge."
A novel and rather interesting reverse justification of lefty elitism.

But you have a point here... :innocent:

what do you guys think about using automotive engine de-greaser to clean chain, cassette etc?
It's great if you want to ruin all the soft parts nearby.

Really, I'm starting to smell a TROLL. :notamused: