Joe S

I have a junky bike I use for commuting only when it rains, which, as it turns out, is fairly often. What can I use that won't have to be reapplied after every couple of rides. I've been using teflon stuff, and yesterday used sewing machine oil, but neither has been very effective in wet conditions. Any ideas?

Cyclist0383

I use Pedro's SYN lube. It works rather well in wet conditions.

CRUM

Phil's Tenacious Oil won't wash off very easily. Just don't use it in dry conditions. It is a dirt and dust magnet.

Portis

Pedros Wet Lube. I have been riding in the snow all week and this stuff has made my chain look like it is covered in black tar, but it is protected. THere is a very sticky barrier between the snow/water and the chain.

I will strip it off when the snow melts.

eubi

For many years, I soaked my chains in paraffin wax. Look for it in the grocery store where the canning supplies are.

Clean that chain up good. A dishwasher works well after the initial crud is cleaned off. (Yes, my wife knows I do this. Better check with yours first!)

Melt the paraffin in a double boiler and let the chain soak for a while. Take it out before the paraffin solidifies!

You will have to work the chain, because it's really stiff. Do it over the trash can, because the paraffin flakes off.

Water beads up on the chain now. No crud can get into the links either.

You can save the remaining paraffin for the next soaking.

phantomcow2

Pedros syn lube works well in wetness, although it is a crap magnet like no tommorow. I started using tri flow spray and i have not looked back

Joe S

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll try the wet lube stuff and, if I get really desperate, I'll try the paraffin -- that sounds like a lot of work!

tomcat

I do not recommend Triflow for wet conditions as it washes off too easily. I love Triflow in dry conditions but when I started mtn biking it didn't stay on after a few hours of wet riding. I use a more mtn-bike specific lub like Finish Line Cross Country Wet lube.

tomcat

smurfy

I'm starting to experiment with different kind of lubes for chains on my beater commuter bike. Since I'm now working second shift (and all the busybodies gone for the day!) I can "play around" with my bike while I'm working and I have the pick of all different kinds of oils and greases.

Hydralic oil was a bad choice since it flung off the chain too easily and got really dirty. Now I'm using Mobil SHC 634 synthetic gear lube and it seems to be holding up real well so far. My next choice will be Shell UCON refrigeration oil. After I use everything I can find in our shop I'll have to see which one is best and stick with that (and report my findings, of course!).

Bruco

Finish Line 'Cross Country' (wet) lube is good stuff too.

steveknight

I like to play with lubes. this last one so far is the best. but I can never get all the lube off on a new chain (sram) so there is a ltitle still on and it may throw off my tests. so when the chain starts squeaking I can only use the new lube and really know. but so far aleast 200 miles or more and three seperate rain rides of 10 miles each and the chain is still not squeaky or black. it is honda's new motorcycle chain lube. https://www.worldofpowersports.com/cg...209-013HP.html
you can get it at a shop or buy it here. it dries in a few minutes it's clear and attracts very little dirt.

eubi

Well, it's a lot of work like cooking a meal for yourself instead of going to Mc D's is a lot of work.

I never mind doing a bit of extra work on my machines if it helps them run better.

It's also fun to see the look on people's faces when they brag about their super-secret-chemical-cocktail lube, then ask what YOU use.

Shoot, I've even thrown old candles into the paraffin tub.

Burning the chain at both ends....eubi

bassplayinbiker

how long will the parafin last?

I would think that it would flake off after a few miles.

peterm5365

I believe parrafin is petroleum based, which probably adds some to the longevity. I use Finish Line Cross Country. They really like salt around here and it's last at least a month now.