MyRedTrek

Are they about the same thing? They both have some kind of white "stuff" in a yellow liquid, have a similar though not identical smell.

The ProLink indicates "MFR technology" - I assume that's the white material, some kind of lubrication enhancer that isn't unique to it - I see MFR cited in other lubricating agents.

veganbikes

No they are not the same thing, They are probably similar as most bicycle lubricants are similar to a point. All bicycle specific lubes are good and bad and people go crazy over them sometimes but in the end so long as you are cleaning and lubricating your chain with some regularity and replacing it as needed you will be fine. I personally use the Finish Line Ceramic Wax Lube only because it seemed to keep my chain clean and quiet and so I decided to buy a larger bottle of it for refills and haven't bought anything new in a while. However all the other lubes I have used in the past have worked.

I wouldn't use super light lubes for chains like Triflow but some people use it just fine.

In the end try a lube and if it keeps your chain clean and quiet you are good to go. Wax lubes tend to be better for that but wet lubes tend to stick to the chain better for poorer weather but then again they tend to attract a bit more grit and grime and dry lubes tend to not last as long, However there are a billion opinions on lube and they are all wrong and all correct.

Bob Ross

^^^This.

The value in hair-splitting over what brand of chain lube to use is minimal; rarely demonstrable and, dare I say it, barely defensible. So long as you use something -- and use it regularly -- you're good.

Of the two brands OP listed I prefer ProLink, but A) I actually use NFS more these days (though I do still have a quart or so of ProLink left in the closet), and B) if someone held a gun to my head and forced me to use Rock'n'Roll Gold instead I wouldn't hesitate for a second.

KerryIrons

Actually Triflow is great as a lubricant, but it is a dirt magnet. I used it all the time on my winter commuter bike in Michigan and it dealt with the winter conditions just fine. But if there is any dust around, it will pick it up and your chain goes to black.

veganbikes

Yeah that is something I hear a lot. I typically would use it for cables and such. So many I think better options for chain lube but like I said they are all good and all terrible.

greatscott

I've used both of those lubes, so here is my experience, yours may vary.

The Prolink was pretty good stuff, it stayed on the chain come rain or shine, and it lasted about 300 miles between applications which is longer than most of the others, but I stopped using it, why? Even though I wipe my chains down after every ride, up towards the 250 to 300 mile mark it would get gummy, and the rag I used to wipe the chain down with would stick to the chain. So I would have to completely clean the chain to get the gummy stuff off, then reapply the lube.

Rock N Roll Gold I really liked as well, in fact it kept the chain clean to the touch all the time, it held up in rain ok, not as good as ProLink, but there was one problem I couldn't get past, you have to squirt that lube on the chain, getting the chain soaked with the lube at the same time a lot of it is dripping onto the garage floor! Since the lube only lasted around 200 miles all that squirting to reapply the lube just was a huge waste of lube and money, but you didn't have to clean the chain before reapplying it, it cleaned itself from the act of squirting that stuff.

I'm now using Dumonde Tech Lite, it holds up to rain as well as Prolink, but it doesn't get gummy, it keeps the chain sort of clean, not near as clean as Rock N Roll does though, but better than others I've used, this lube last about 500 miles between lubes. After using may different lubes this is now my favorite lube.

I heard good stuff about Bioshield T9 but I've never used it, yet, so I can't respond personally about it, but people say it's as good as Dumonde Tech.

With all lubes you need to follow their directions to the letter, and wipe it down after every ride; don't forget, most lubes, if not all lubes, requires that it sets on the chain for about 12 hours before using it, some will say 3 hours, but just let it set overnight, no biggie.

Russ Roth

I prefer the prolink though I don't have issues with it getting gummy, usually I just notice that the chain is looking dry when tossing them on the rack, its why I keep a bottle in the car. When I get to the ride location I usually drip it on and wipe off the excess with the abundance of napkins that float around my glove box. Would agree it lasts about 300 miles and like the way it works. Bought the Rock n Roll thinking it was the same, it isn't and not as good in my opinion, but its not bad and I'm using what I bought till it runs out.

t2p

ceramic speed

friction facts

chain lube efficiency tests


https://www.ceramicspeed.com/media/3...s-combined.pdf

.

MyRedTrek

You think the gumminess is a function of use or just exposure to air and components of the lube evaporating out of it? I.e. it would happen even if the bike just sat.