riderlife

We just started carrying the soy based tri-flow at our shop and iv never used it. was curious if anyone else has used it and if its worth it. What have you used it on particularly, any chains and cables? I was also reading that it actually biodegrades in 28 days so i was wondering what does it turn into (does it evaporate or turn into something else like a paste)

brandini

Nothing is better than an experiment! Get a bottle cap and put it in a sunny window and take a picture each day.

fietsbob

the Teflon plastic bits are promoted as the bearing lube ,
penetrating to inside chain surface,
suspended in a vehicle that evaporates.

It's soy based stuff it's suspended in is my supposition.

the plastic bottle won't biodegrade..

FBinNY 

The soy oil carrier will biodegrade in 28 days in contact with the earth (landfills, sewage treatment ponds, or your lawn) through the action of microbes there. It won't disappear while on your chain, though may be less resistant to water, buy will probably break down sooner than the old formula, though much longer than 28 days. As far as lubrication goes, that mostly is related to the Teflon which is the same regardless of the carrier.

3alarmer 

In my experience, vegetable based oils turn to gum. If you
experiment, do it on something with small pawls/springs
that you don't care about and see what happens.

I've used regular triflow mixed with 20 wt machine oil for
years in Sturmy archer hubs with good results. I'd be reluctant
to use a vegetable oil on my bikes.........giant step backward IMO.

Andrew R Stewart 

This reminds me of when i first heard about TriFlow. Around the late 1970s we recieved a sample of "new" lube with some write ups about it. It was called TriFlon, same black bottle. (The name changed to the current TriFlow after the owners of the Teflon name complaned). The write ups were from a gun magizine. They had broken down, cleaned and reassembled, with this TriFlon, their machine gun. Went to the firing range (we hoped...), went through a few clips of ammo then took all apart to see how the lube held up. This mag claimed that not only did the rate of firing go up but the build up of carbon and residues were less then with "standard" gun oils. So at the shop we all figured if TriFlon was good enough for your M16 it was probobally good for your Sedis or Regina chain. The lubes we were using back then were Sturmey Archer, LPS1 and LPS3, 10W-40 auto oil, WD-40 and parifin wax. Each had their issues. This new stuff had them all beat on so many levels, including the nice smell of the spray bottle.

I'm a bit synical about all this biodegradeable stuff. We all have used or read about the solvents and lubes that make such claims. These might be true, to a degree, with the raw and clean solvent/lube. But what about when it contains the grime, old lubes and metal dust from a used chain? Do the companies really think it still is safe to pour the dirty stuff down your drain? I never did and tell my customers such. Andy.

cny-bikeman

I never cared for Triflow as I did not find it did well in wet conditions, and especially trying to lube a chain in wet conditions. Finish Line seemed to works better all around.

That aside, the fascination with something being biodegradeable can get to the point of silliness and beyond rationality, logic and mathematical reality. One can do plenty of things to feel good regarding conservation of resources, less polluting, etc. that will actually make an impact without worrying about the tiny, miniscule, inconsequential difference made by a few bicyclists, mostly in the U.S, who have acces to and can afford Triflow in the first place, and who use perhaps a few ounces each in a year, using a soy based product. I have no objection to people doing something so that they feel better, as long as they don't decide I have to feel better in the same way.

HillRider

Vegetable oils are liquid because they are "unsaturated" fats, which are healthier when eaten. The same unsaturation makes them vulnerable to oxidation which destroys any lubrication value but is also the basis for the bidegredation claims.

I certainly agree with cny-bike man that "biodegradable" bicycle lubes are a silly, useless feel-good gesture.

JTGraphics

[QUOTE=riderlife;14329304 We just started carrying the soy based tri-flow at our shop and iv never used it. was curious if anyone else has used it and if its worth it. What have you used it on particularly, any chains and cables? I was also reading that it actually biodegrades in 28 days so i was wondering what does it turn into (does it evaporate or turn into something else like a paste)[/QUOTE]

We just started carrying the soy based tri-flow at our shop


You should be the one testing and report back to us, its also good to know yorself for customers as they will ask you!

Chris Chicago

somebody needs to fry up some wings in this stuff.

FBinNY 

Count me with cny-bikeman, and Hillrider, that the effort to produce "green" products can reach the point of stupidity.

As it applies to things like bike lubes and lubricants in general, you need to factor effectiveness. What's a few ounces of chain lube compared to the environmental impact of producing more chains to replace those which wore out faster because of poor lubrication. It certainly makes sense to continue the effort to produce and use greener lubes and other products, but you need to keep an eye on the big picture.

009jim

People need to worry about biodegradable cosmetics, rather than lube for bicycles. Bike riders are already doing their bit for the environment.

JiveTurkey

The OP asked who's used it and whether it works.

I have and it does.

JiveTurkey

Everyone can always do more.

Scooby214

I can see using a lube like this on a chain, where one can periodically give the chain a thorough cleaning. I wonder how the soy based lube would work for other lubing purposes, such as lubing brake cables to prevent sticking during the winter. My thinking would be that using a petroleum based lube would be better in some cases, on parts that can't easily be given a thorough cleaning.

rydabent

I guess Im going to rain on the enviro cult, but really why worry about the nit of lub that is on a bike???

3alarmer 

Define "works". I'm sure it makes great omelets...........

Great. Do a little more to make up for me, please......

cny-bikeman

Yeah, I hated it last week when the earth was wearing too much mascara - looked even worse after a hurricane because it did not biodegrade.

Closed Office

It depends on the oil. Canola oil is what's known as a drying oil, and it leaves a film. The first paints used it as a base.

Olive oil has industrial uses, and used to be used in watches.

I completely agree. The same goes for some of the recycling efforts.

Bill Kapaun

We should all be "more natural" and go back to using sperm oil.

riderlife

Thats a really good point im gunna think of some tests to try out and maybe ill post results

Kimmo

I'm reminded of when I experimented as a kid with margarine as a bike lube.

I prolly should've asked myself why it needs to be kept in the fridge...