Originally Posted by
jimc101
For gearing, 10 speed is now all but standard on new MTB's from mid range up, with the introduction of 10 speed Deore for 2012, 9 speed was standard till 2010, when XT and SLX went 10 speed. 9 speed has been around since the late 90s, with 8 speed being long obsoletes since then, and parts supply in the UK is poor for anything except entry level components.
Lower end bikes will still have 7 / 8 speed, but due to the availbilty of parts, upgrading / replacing them can be harder than with 9/10 speed.
For lube types, have a look here
http://www.finishlineusa.com/products/lubechoices.htm
For chain wear / lifetime, 1500 miles seems like a short distance for a chain, have you ever replaced your cassette? as these don't last forever, and a worn cassette can cause premature chain wear
Now that I think about it I think that it was nearer 1200 miles, from new (bike is just coming up to two years old now) and had the chain, chainrings and sprockets changed. The teeth on the derallieurs are starting to look a bit flat now too, so that might be on the list to do. Anyway. Thread drift...
Had no idea 10 speed even existed! Figured it would for the roadies, although TBH with my nine speed one the gaps between gears is so small I double tap the shifter anyway.
Back to the wax/oil situation, reading through that link there, it sounds like the wetubes are the best, which is unfortunate because that's what I use at the moment. Maybe I do just need to use more oil after all...