Rubato

I think the search for knowledge should include 5-6 identical bikes and riders, each with a different chain lube, and rotated through each rider on a daily basis for a year's worth of commuting. Each type of lubrication to be applied on a predetermined schedule across the board. Testing could include wear, dirt retention, cost, etc. It could be set up with all lubrication applied in secret by a non rider.
This could be expanded to other elements as well. It would be fun to have a several identical bikes and use complete groups for side by side comparisons between components, tires, saddles and on and on. Sweet!

wphamilton

I was hoping that someone would volunteer as a control. He would use only a single lubrication, but take measurements of both halves of the chain.

I also intend to take a dry chain, lube half of it and ride it for a bit to determine the extent of oil transfer.

The test is inherently blind since the same chain has both lubricants and of course I'd have no idea which part of the chain was wrapped around the gears at any given point in time. Although, now that you mention it I think I'll fill two numbered identical bottles with the two lubricants, having someone else record which oil corresponds to which number, so that I won't be biased when lubing the chain.

wphamilton

I'm seriously considering a random concoction vs White Lightning, as a practical test to see if I'm actually wasting money on that stuff. I don't want to single out Chain-L and I'm already pretty sure it's better than what I use, so that would be less useful to test. On the other hand, it's going to be 1500-2000 miles of actual commuting on the chain and I'd kind of like to avoid abusing it so it's hard to decide.

I am surprised that chain lube evangelists haven't challenged me with their favorites. The sort-of suggestions so far that I'll choose from:

Mobile 1
Pro Gold - Prolink
Vaseline and Olive oil
Liquid Wrench chain lube
Castrol ATF+4 plus grease

and I'm not sure if FBinNY supported a Chain-L test, which I won't do unless he agrees to it.

davidad

Years ago Bicycling magazine tested the different chain lubes available at the time and came to the conclusion that the most important step was cleaning the chain. The type of lube didn't really matter.

fietsbob

I'll ask the Hamsters , they have pointless exercise wheels going Nowhere, useful ..



you got super-soakers full of this stuff to hose each other down with ? I'll watch at a safe distance..

FBinNY 

I'm neutral on this. I certainly don't exercise veto power about testing CHAIN-L, so feel free if you want.

The reason I'm neutral is that I don't believe there's one best lube (not even CHAIN-L), so testing can only show what performs better one way, and worse another. But it's up to each user to decide for himself.

IMO- testing chain lubes is worse that testing beers to find the best one. It's like testing beer, wine, and malt whiskey in a single overall comparison. Even if you find the clear winner to be a beer, it won't help a wine drinker much.

3alarmer 

.
...I'm in on the beer test.

mconlonx

I buy vintage sperm whale oil for my chain lube. While it is becoming rather rare, I cherish the use of intelligent mammalian oleaceous product for my consumable needs. Perhaps when the world supply of sperm whale oil runs out or becomes way too expensive, I will switch to seal cub blubber.

wphamilton

I'll be testing chain wear (stretch) from a daily commute in all kinds of East Coast weather. That part will be objective, just a periodic measurement.

Since you're neutral and this is more blunt force than finer points, I'll compare my usual lube against some concoction. If I have a measurable result, I'll repeat the test with higher quality lubricants.

mconlonx

"East Coast weather" =/= Alpharetta GA.

irwin7638

Fun you said? This is fun? I've been wrong for years. Have "fun" I can't wait to see the results.

Marc

wphamilton

More or less.

How about "rains all the time" with mostly moderate temperatures?

Rubato

I've had outstanding luck with the little packets of oil that come in the Ramen packages....

mconlonx

Do they put down road salt for that...?

wphamilton

Where are we going with this, regional rivalry? OK, all your Yankee states are hoarding it so we don't bother much with salt. And we don't have real winters. Except for those years when we do, but we still don't use salt.

3alarmer 

.
...can you include bacon fat in the lubes to be tested ? Or are there too many dogs on your route ?

mconlonx

Just sayin'...

We laugh at y'all when we see highways with wrecks as a result of 1/2" of snow. Not about tragic accidents, but certainly multi-car fender benders which would have been a non-starter for people who know how do deal with ice and snow.

New England/NY puts down all kinds of salt, which is heinous and extremely detrimental to bicycle drivetrains for them what commute through the winter or start riding again in early Spring. Down in GA, I'd not recommend much more than a moderate viscosity chain oil unless user was a dedicated commuter and rode in the wet often. Up here, high viscosity oils like Chain-L, Pedros SynLube, bar chain oil, gear oil, etc. are key toward maintaining a winter drivetrain... and even then, most of us are using worn chains, cassettes, chainrings, cables/housing until we get to better weather.

wphamilton

Yes, and other critters plus my bike lives indoors so that option is out. Vegetable oil might be an option though.

mconlonx

Ooo, I can try that.

When doing a maintenance class at the LBS, I suggest kitchen oil -- vegetable, corn, canola, olive -- if there's nothing else on hand. Otherwise, 3-in-1, Marvel Mystery, Liquid Wrench.

But really, people should use bike specific chain lube so people like me stay in PT employment at the LBS...

wphamilton

I wish I'd had a go-pro the last two ice-storms. You flat out wouldn't believe the driving without video proof.

But before you get too sanguine about that, some of the crazy mishaps are from northerners who figured that they knew what they were doing.



Commuting and "in the wet often" are almost synonymous here, all kidding aside. No salt, ever, but wet sand and grit is a constant.

leob1

Slowly and painfully.

mconlonx

Then I'd recommend the same -- higher viscosity oil for higher mileage commuters. Clean the chain off after a lube and avoid the heavy oils' dirt-attractive nature.

Reco is the same: balmy climate, light oil infrequently; harsher climate, heavier oil more frequently.

wphamilton

Oh definitely higher viscosity oil, I've been unhappy with anything light or wax-based. But that's partly what I'm testing, is the white lightning really better than just some thick oil (perhaps mixed with a carrier) I might put on? We shall see.

wphamilton

Wouldn't you want to really know whether your favorite lube is better than motor oil?

davidad