Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.cyclinfool
05-13-12, 05:26 AM
Last year I was getting a particularly weird rear wheel problem addressed at the not-so LBS (not so because they are the best shop within 30 miles and I had to drive by several very good shops to get there). After the problem was fixed the shop mechanic handed me a small vial of chain lube (free sample) and said try this, it's really great and is being mixed and sold by a local guy. He says it's a great product and I trust him, He says it stays on the chain and you don't need to relube or clean as often. Hmm - less work, I'm up for that... So I take my wheel home, reassemble the bike and through the vial in the miscellaneous bike junk box and forget about it - I am an avid finish line user.
For Christmas my older daughter buys me a new Record chain (I raise them right), so as I am getting the bike tuned up I decide it's time to change the chain out. After that's done I look for the tube of finish line and find it's just about empty and then I remember this vial. Hmmm, new chain - time to test a new product. I put the stuff on, it smells like 90W gear oil and has the same consistency. If goes on clean and easy.
Here's the thing, about 3 weeks of riding, about 200 miles with no reoiling - the chain and rear cassette are still pretty clean, no dull black look that I usually see after a few long rides), no grimy buildup in the spiders. The drive train is still smooth (I can usually tell by feel if it needs a cleaning or lubing). The bike does need a good wash down after a few morning rides on wet roads. Now I know a new chain has a dense film of lube on it, but that does not last too long, this stuff - what ever it is it seems to work pretty well. I have enough for one more application and will try it after I clean the bike again, if that seems to work well too I think I will switch. I may even try some Hypoid (90W) - I think I still have a bottle from when I use to work on cars. Stuff stinks but if it works better, who cares.
For Christmas my older daughter buys me a new Record chain (I raise them right), so as I am getting the bike tuned up I decide it's time to change the chain out. After that's done I look for the tube of finish line and find it's just about empty and then I remember this vial. Hmmm, new chain - time to test a new product. I put the stuff on, it smells like 90W gear oil and has the same consistency. If goes on clean and easy.
Here's the thing, about 3 weeks of riding, about 200 miles with no reoiling - the chain and rear cassette are still pretty clean, no dull black look that I usually see after a few long rides), no grimy buildup in the spiders. The drive train is still smooth (I can usually tell by feel if it needs a cleaning or lubing). The bike does need a good wash down after a few morning rides on wet roads. Now I know a new chain has a dense film of lube on it, but that does not last too long, this stuff - what ever it is it seems to work pretty well. I have enough for one more application and will try it after I clean the bike again, if that seems to work well too I think I will switch. I may even try some Hypoid (90W) - I think I still have a bottle from when I use to work on cars. Stuff stinks but if it works better, who cares.