Originally Posted by wmodavis

What matters more than what lube you use is 'Do you keep your chain clean and well lubed all the time"? I have a different philosophy than some. I prefer a 'shortlasting' lube. Well, that's stupid! Get with it buddy! (that's a self flame). OK why shortlasting. Here's my convoluted reasoning. The chain is a pretty important component of the bike commissioned with the task of transferring your power as applied to the cranks to the rear wheel to propell you along the trail. Right? How far can you go without one? Downhill quite a ways, but on the level or uphill not far. So it's pretty important. A critical part IMO should receive perhaps better care (read: more often) since if it fails well... you know, you fix it and go on your way til it fails again, right. If you are lulled into thinking you can just put on a 'longlasting chain lube' and kind of forget it I think you are delusional and will pay the consequences. My chain reminds me to take care of it if I use shortlasting lube cuz it makes this irritating noise which screems in my ear 'I want lube, I want lube'. And so I clean and lube it when that happens. Maybe I do it too often. Can you do it too often? I end up doing it after nearly each major ride which happens 2 - 3 times a week. My rides are often wet and muddy and rough. My chain has nearly 3000 miles on it and doesn't show signs of wear yet. It will cuz chains wear (not stretch) due to friction between metal and more so if not clean and lubricated. Ther're right out in the open subject to water and grunge in an amount we're not even aware of. It's vulnerable, and it's important. And (now here comes the real reason) after someone said "Wow! That chain shines, is it new?" I decided to keep doing it the way I do rather than using one of those longlasting chain lubes and periodically wiping it down with a rag (read: pushing the crud into the depths of the chain) and I'm a vain guy so that's the real reason - vanity.