Originally Posted by
cyccommute
The problem most people have with White Lightning comes from following the directions and using it far too often. White Lightning severely underestimates the service cycle. I get around 400 to 700 miles between application which is far more than the 100 miles White Lightning suggest. I have 12 bikes in my garage that get around 4000 miles of combined service per year. A 4 oz bottle will last me several years.
Chains are generally cheap. I can’t for the life of me figure out what you get for a $100 chain other than a name. “Oro” should have been the first clue to how much the chain would cost. “Gold” is not a name for cheap. Even a gold chain is going to wear out in about the same time as a $20 chain.
Mileage per bottle sounds about right (from my experience) but I probably got fewer miles than you per bottle. I equate chain noise with needing lube, so every few hundred miles I would add a drop per link.
$100 is what a Regina Oro seems to be selling for. Mine is old and probably needs to bested and/or replaced. I did not pay $100 but it wasn't cheap, either. I bought it because I knew, without a doubt, it would work with my 5 speed freewheel drive train. It shifts very well in that role.
No one (very few) even bother advertise compatibility with 5 speed freewheels, so I am not sure if the replacement chain I bought will work, or if it "works" will it work well. One thing I know is it wasn't cheap either.
Chains seem to be selling for $30 - $50 each. Funky, cheap, black Sedis chains are offered for $70 but should be $5-10.
.
- Does anyone know the spec limits (numerical, quantitative) for chain wear? I have a huge set of measurement tools, so I do not want to buy yet another Park gage.
- Does anyone know which chains work best with old 5 speed freewheels? I think lack of lateral stiffness was mentioned as an issue with some newer chains.