Bicycle Mechanics - Is a fresh banana peel O.K. for bike lubrication?

Hi guys! I have a lot of bananas at my apartment where I live. After I eat them, instead of letting the peels go to waste, I take the natural lubrication and rub it all over my bike chain. Not only does this help lubricate the chain, it also cleans the dirt and grime off it. So far, no problems with this method. :thumb:

Good thing to do or bad thing to do? What are your thoughts?

im going to stick with white lightning...

I think it should be fine. Better than White Lightning.

Obviously using something like banana which will become rancid after awhile is not as good as real lube, I've heard coconut oil is good if in desperate need, but I wouldn't rely on the bananas if you have access to something that won't go rancid (white lightning or tri-flow or what have you)

well, seeing as you've already tried it and it's working for you so far. report back to us when it's time to replace the chain.

does it actualy get in the rollers where lube is really needed?

lube on the outside of your chain is worthless...

I would be afraid of attracting monkeys.

your wasting perfectly good smoke!
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2389/will-smoking-banana-peels-get-you-high

I would be afraid of attracting monkeys.

I see that as the only upside of banana lube use!

...What are your thoughts?
I compost skins and use it on my sweet buds :rolleyes:

is that you, Don Q?

I've heard of people using olive oil, but not bananas.

Whatever works for you man.

I like to use a combination of maple syrup and urine.

I would be afraid of attracting monkeys.

HAHA! LOL! Well, if the monkeys would lick my chain, I would have no problem with it. After all, they ARE helping me clean the dirty chain with their monkey tongues. :lol:

I like to use a combination of maple syrup and urine.
Only because you're always looking for more uses for your urine...and like to lick your sticky fingers. :twitchy:

I've heard it works best on Surly Karate Monkey chains. I'd be worried about fruit flys following me around.

I've heard it works best on Surly Karate Monkey chains. I'd be worried about fruit flys following me around.

Its the clouds of fruitflys and the hordes of monkeys that make you go faster, duh

Only because you're always looking for more uses for your urine...and like to lick your sticky fingers. :twitchy:

bananas are the cure to keep you from going rabid when you are peed on. I saw it on southpark, so it must be true.

There's always room for Jello. Just sayin'

The question must be asked: Why do you have so many bananas at your place? Tarzan, dat you?

dont feed the troll bananas

Kudos for keeping it eco friendly!:thumb:

Bananas are for trolls. Real people should use Avocados.


http://i424.photobucket.com/albums/pp323/nagognog/troll-web.jpg

^^^ isn't that a chinchilla?

Okay I'm going to be honest with you. In case you didn't know, I work in a produce warehouse and I have learned the benefits of banana. Not only is the fruit high in potassium and is considered nature's perfect food, it is also a member of the herb family (http://www.marigoldlane.com/kitchen/banana.html).

In answer to your question, I feel that using banana peel is beneficial to use as a chain lube. The natural slickness of the fibrous lining of the skin keeps the chain lubricated and any excess flesh will over time dry and flake away as the oils separate to permeate the links. In contrast to commercial lubes, the remaining residue is biodegradable and won't harm the Earth.

It's also good to massage all over my warm body after a hot steamy bath.

fmm... Maybe the OP is onto somethin' :D

http://pics.towerhobbies.com/imagel/d/ldanc0019.jpg

In contrast to commercial lubes, the remaining residue is biodegradable and won't harm the Earth.



Tell that to the coconut farmers

Ring
Ring
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BananaLube!

Okay I'm going to be honest with you. In case you didn't know, I work in a produce warehouse and I have learned the benefits of banana. Not only is the fruit high in potassium and is considered nature's perfect food, it is also a member of the herb family (http://www.marigoldlane.com/kitchen/banana.html).

In answer to your question, I feel that using banana peel is beneficial to use as a chain lube. The natural slickness of the fibrous lining of the skin keeps the chain lubricated and any excess flesh will over time dry and flake away as the oils separate to permeate the links. In contrast to commercial lubes, the remaining residue is biodegradable and won't harm the Earth.

It's also good to massage all over my warm body after a hot steamy bath.


Not to mention the other obvious uses for bananas. :innocent:

proper use of banana

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh168/curbtender/Family109.jpg

Peering into the skull of certain people - I found this:


http://i424.photobucket.com/albums/pp323/nagognog/ARepublikansSkullX-Ray.jpg

I'm calling Save The Bananas.....

OP, maybe you should get one of these (http://bikeblender.com/) and start making your own all natural biodegradable line of bike maintenance products. Banana peel chain lube, avacado bearing grease, papaya spray lube, etc.

Also, these (http://www.greasemonkeywipes.com/) might be good for cleaning up any extra banana lube.

Thanks for starting one of the most entertaining if not informative threads in this forum for quite a while.

I would only use a banana peel on my chain if I were a professional comedian.

:eek:

met some kids in sf on a tour who used bacon grease cooked on alcohol camp stoves to lube their chains...

i prefer a mixture of alpaca saliva and mayonnaise

Well, it just so happens that I have also experimented with untraditional materials as chain lubricant. I was lucky enough to work in a molasses factory. You wouldn't think it would be a suitable chain lubricant, but I found it was awesome!

I wouldn't recommend honey, though.

Obviously using something like banana which will become rancid after awhile is not as good as real lube, I've heard coconut oil is good if in desperate need, but I wouldn't rely on the bananas if you have access to something that won't go rancid (white lightning or tri-flow or what have you)

Rancid oil might give your chain a tummy ache.

I prefer butter on my chains - keeps 'em kinky.

But I rarely have any left over.

sausage juice: links to links
cat juice: lynx to links

KY jelly.

Anyone remember the guy that was using butter for chamois cream? That was a great thread.

After my job at the molasses factory, I moved to a glue factory. No, really, I did. The most amazing thing I found is that epoxy makes an excellent chain lubricant. I wouldn't have believed it if someone had told me. I think it's because it's water based, so it's less viscous than any oil. I ran some measurements by testing the friction on the drivetrain with the various lubricants, and epoxy introduced the lowest amount of friction on the drivetrain.

Of course, it was a problem after the epoxy hardened, but I could get one whole ride out of it, as long as I didn't stop pedaling for too long.

Not to mention the other obvious uses for bananas. :innocent:

Like this?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3024/2744133445_e25e271e77.jpg

Bananas for chain lube ? No problem. I use bacon grease to repack my hubs.

This thread is awesome.

Ask the oil companies with their mega advertising (read: mind bending) budgets, or ask a simple banana grower.

This thread is awesome.
No, its not awesome, but it DOES have a peel.

No, its not awesome, but it DOES have a peel.

just had to slip that one in....

You guys just keep Dole-ing them out, don't ya.

Truly 'green' people follow the principles of bio-regionalism. Using what is available to one in their own areas. So, unless you live in a banana-republic, look into what grows around you. Corn is everywhere.....soybeans.....pigs**it....


BRING BACK HEMP!

Hi guys! I have a lot of bananas at my apartment where I live. After I eat them, instead of letting the peels go to waste, I take the natural lubrication and rub it all over my bike chain. Not only does this help lubricate the chain, it also cleans the dirt and grime off it. So far, no problems with this method. :thumb:

Good thing to do or bad thing to do? What are your thoughts?

My thoughts

http://i553.photobucket.com/albums/jj396/cs1sales/troll.jpg