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Old 03-04-11 | 03:12 PM
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skilsaw
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Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Victoria, Canada

Bikes: Cannondale t1, Koga-Miyata World Traveller

3-IN-ONE oil? Home Brew?

I'm running out of the last oil I bought and am thinking of trying something different.

Has anyone used 3-IN-ONE oil on their bike in the summer? How well has it worked for you?
On the can it says it lubricates, cleans and prevents rust.
It is quite light, penetrates to the chain rivets quickly, and doesn't hold road grime if the excess is wiped off.

My other choice right now is to make up a mineral spirits / automotive oil mixture.
Previous posts have a range of concentrations from 1 part oil to 2 parts mineral spirits all the way to 1 part oil to 4 parts mineral spirits. Maybe I should split the difference and go with a 3 to 1 mix. The recommended oil varies from 10W30 to 70W gear oil and synthetic oil is often recommended. The thinner mixes would be great for cleaning the drivetrain, but do they leave enough oil behind to act as a lubricant? Does the mineral spirits evaporate so you should not have to wipe the excess off? Does the mix separate when you leave it on the shelf so it has to be shaken up before you use it?

Your experience and opinions?
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