Road Cycling - Keeping chain clean?

Guys,

What products do you use to keep your chain lubed, but clean and dry?

I've tried a few things, but am not happy...

I use and am generally happy with White Lightning. I haven't had a chainring tattoo on my calf in years. It will build up on a chain after a while, and you'll need to do something about cleaning it off. It also quits working when the temperature drops below 45F or so. But it's about the best I've used.

The Bike Detailer uses a combination of White Lightning and another lube, I'm not sure which.

I tired ProLink out for a while. It is slicker than otter snot, but I didn't like the smell and thought it ran dirty. Others may argue the point with me, but...well...that's MY two cents worth.

Agree with RegularGuy, I've used White Lightning on my commuter & MTB for several years and been happy, just have to clean off the build up every once in a while.

I use Prolink on my roadie and it's a mess if you have to touch the chain, but seems to do a good job of lubing. Guess I'll have to keep the rubber gloves in my seat bag!

Im a fan of Pedros Extra Dry lube, works great year round.

Tri-flow. You'll know if you've touched your chain... it fails the clean-and-dry test, but it's the slipperiest stuff out there, in my experience.

Originally posted by RegularGuy

I tired ProLink out for a while. It is slicker than otter snot, but I didn't like the smell...

Hey, it smells better than otter snot! :eek:

I'm loyal to Pedro's products. I use the "ice" one. I can't remember the exact name...

Originally posted by velo
I'm loyal to Pedro's products. I use the "ice" one. I can't remember the exact name...


I’m pretty sure it's Pedro’s Ice Wax. I use it too. I've used white lightning in the past but it gunks up to quick.

more importantly clean and lube often. I do it almost every time i ride.

Wipe down chain, apply lube, back pedal to allow penetration to all parts of links, wipe off excess.

I use White Lightning, Pedro's Ice Wax, Finish Line Krytech. All pretty good, prefer the WL, but not the RaceDay version.

I've used Tri-Tech and it seemed to attract a lot of dirt. I've also used GT-85, but haven't seen it available anywhere lately. Does anyone know about GT-85?

L8R

White Lightning is my choice. Just be sure and check in between the cogs in the back every once in a while since the wax tends to build up and can cause your chain to skip or mis-shift. Other than that and remembering to lube weekly it is cool.

Just wish the bottle didn't clog and squirt in the unintended direction sometimes.

Nice to not mess up your legs or clothes is plus.

Originally posted by The Toninator
I’m pretty sure it's Pedro’s Ice Wax.

Yup, that's it. Good stuff.

I also use Pedro's Ice Wax - It works very well keeping the chain and drive train clean. The only issue I have with it is that you have to use it often, I use it every 100 miles or so.

Originally posted by RegularGuy
I use and am generally happy with White Lightning.

Yep, it's my on my chain too.

I have used White Lightning, Its great for the chain, doesn't really get dirty, but if your really grinding the pedal I would suggest you used a very thick Chain Oil, this will add more life on your chain, at present I am using a Campagnolo Chain Oil, after I have clean the chain and place the Campy oil and goes out for a ride, you bet that the chains need to be clean again, well I do that every time I ride my bike, I clean it after I used my bike, if it is everyday I ride my bike, everyday I clean my bike after the ride,

I've been very happy with Pro-Link; I use it both as a cleaning agent and as a lube on both of my bikes' chains (and on my SPD pedals) in all weather. The trick is to apply it, let it penetrate, and then clean the chain and re-apply just a little bit. And as with all lubes, you really only want to lube the interior parts of the chain, the pins and rollers. You don't want to leave lube on the outside of the chain at all; it serves no purpose except to attract gunk.

I dislike waxes because of how they behave in cold temperatures.

RichC

I use Krytech on my road bike only, and keep the bottle indoors during cold weather.
My other bikes use either the 'wet' or the 'dry' finishline conventional chain lubes.

I'm a total newbie, so if this is a dumb question, I apologize in advance.....

When y'all are talking about cleaning the chain, are you just wiping it down before you lube it, or do you use some other product to clean it?

mbologna
Houston, TX

As I stated in a previous post, I remove the chain, agitate it in sovent, dry it, then reinstall it. Lastly, I lubricate it.

Compared to grease based lubricants, I know silicon based are far cleaner. eg. Pedro's Dry Ice and White Lightning.
Last two days I really got in there and cleaned up my two road bikes. Never do I use grease based lubes.
My point. What is that greasy dark stuff.? My idler pulley on rear derailleur was just saturated with greasy dark stuff. Had to take organic cleaner and saturate the derailleur and scrub with a brush and toothbrush. Dry Ice is supposed to be a little self-cleaning? No?
When lubing I always wipe off the excess and it has been no more than a month since last bike wash and derailleur cleaning. Do silicon based lubes really clean that effectively ? Or is it just normal road grit, that I see...?

Originally posted by D*Alex
I remove the chain, agitate it in sovent, dry it, then reinstall it. Lastly, I lubricate it.
I am also a newbie at this, and am not disagreeing with D*Alex, so I would like to ask. I was reading somewheres that it is bad to soak your chain in solvent. Lubing your chain is suppose to put lub in the outside parts only, and the chains are lubed with a special grease from the factory which you should not remove (like soaking). This grease is on the inside of the links. So is that just a load, or what does anyone say on this?
Thanks

Hey both guys saying they're newbies are in houston... cool deal i'm new and in houston too... maybe its something in the air.