I use ProGold ProLink on my chains. Their standard instructions are to clean chain, put a drop on each link "bushing", allow to soak in awhile, then wipe chain clean with paper towels or clean rag. I basically clean chains in it, using not too much, put the chain in a tupperware pint-sized container with lid, swish around vigorously for awhile, pull out chain and clean out container, then repeat (twice if really gunky). Then I hang the chain on a hook for awhile, and then wipe it down.


What I like about this stuff is that it seems to last a long time, as do the chains, and it doesn't pick up dirt much at all. A wipe of the chain once in a while, and it stays very clean, as do sprockets and chainwheels.

You made me smile at the Torrey Canyon reference. You might be showing your age by saying it, although I'm probably showing my age by understanding the reference!

I use this stuff. 99 cent citrus degrease, or WD40 for cleaning. I like Finsh Line Dry, but grab the stuff on the right, Dumonde, because I've had it for years, and can't throw it away. Usually Finish line, but it's usually empty when I need it. I like Tri flow spray for SPD pedals and derailleur mechanisms.

Tri-flow. Never liked Finish Line dry.

Just curious, what did you not like about Finish Line dry? I've been meaning to try it. Does it really only last 100 miles? or is that just marketing malarkey? 100 miles isn't even one ride on some occasions. I wonder if they are just trying to get people to use up a lot of the stuff so they can sell more. Seems to be a strategy of many modern chain lubes.

Back when i raced I often rode 400/week, and could easily go a couple months between lubing the chain. That's 2000 miles, using old school lubricant that many modern shops think is "not that good for chains." Modern lubricants, they can last 100 miles? 200miles?? These are the claims I'm reading. It appears that we have gone pretty far backwards WRT chain lube.

WRT attracting dirt: The trick with Tri-Flow, or for that matter any chain lube, is to wipe off the chain when you're done lubing. No need for lube on the outside. I usually wipe it off again after the first ride also. After a week or two if using Tri flow, the chain becomes relatively dry, but still it's functionally lubed.

Clearly this chain lube thread was dying a premature death.

EDIT: at least 2000 and up to 3600 (!) miles

I didn't use it enough to get a bead on why I don't like it. I bought a bottle once when I would rather have had tri-flow, but finish line is all they had. That might be reason enough. I still have that partial bottle years later.

I've been using Finish Line Wet for a while and like it well enough. I have experimented some with White Lightning and am using it on one bike. I like the cleanliness but it's not as quiet as a wet lube.
Previously I used Phil Tenacious Oil for quite a while. It seemed to work really well, but was so thick it was hard to get a small drop on each bushing, and consequently was pretty messy.

I work at a bike shop and I've used a lot of lubes just for the sake of trying them all.

Prolink: a bit too thin for my liking, required reapplication every 1.5 weeks with daily riding. Though it is great at flushing grit out of the inner part of a chain.

Finish line wet: sticky! Can last for nearly a month but seems to collect grit like nothing else. I'd liken this to Phil's tenacious oil. The standard lube to put on customer's bikes when you can tell they never oil their chain; because you know it'll stick around for a while.

Finish line dry: meh. Required reapplication every week (daily riding) as it seemed to dry out very quickly. Also as a dry lube it still attracted lots of dirt which defeats the entire purpose of a dry lube. Was happy with as I didn't mind relubing often, but moved to a wax as I was tired of black chains.

Finish line wax: alright. Reapplication required every two weeks, however I ended up needing a lot of it to sufficiently lube the chain. The little bottle only gave me 4 re-lubes which is really bad compared to the fact that a same size bottle of finish line wet would last us about 3 weeks of daily shop use (about 4-5 bikes lubed a day at peak). It did keep my drive train nice and clean though!

White lightning wax: what I'm using now. Only been 3 weeks so I can't say much. Similar to finish line wax in that it doesn't attract much dirt, and it seems to require far less from the bottle to coat the chain, which I'm happy with. One thing I do notice is an audible "swish" coming from the chain when I really power down (even when I have lubed that very day), which makes me question its efficacy, but I can't really prove anything.

Seattle here, so no dry lube. I use Pedros Chainj. It's biodegradable and supposed to be environmentally friendly. It works decently and IMO worth the tradeoff in longevity or cleanliness.

Chain-L for me. Works great in dry and wet conditions. He was also kind enough to donate to our Bourbon and Tobacco Tour prizes too. A+

Nobody else uses Rock N Roll Gold?

I use a Teflon-infused light gun oil, like Break Free or C-L-P. The light carrier oil allows the Teflon to seep into the inner-workings. Seems to last 800 miles or so before needing to re-apply (I only ride in dry conditions, not rain or road spatter).

Cleaning is in an ultrasonic device using another firearms solution - 'Ed's Red'. Kerosene/mineral spirits and ATF with a little motor oil added...

What do I use for chain lube? Um... Really... Promise me that you won't laugh or think I have serious mental issues!

Trombone slide oil, in a spray pump bottle!

Seriously... I use the "good stuff", the synthetic, waterproof, slide oil made by Hetman. It works, trust me, it works!

Pedro's Ice Wax.

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I was using a synthetic oil, recommended by a good LBS.....chain got really gunky......good cleaning and back to Rock and Roll gold. have wanted to try Chain- L, if only for the name but didn't find local dealer

Odor free mineral spirits and Mobil One.

me

I've never been to Cambodia but I have used ATF. It worked well as a cleaner and lubricant. However soaking a chain in it then letting it drain was messy and took a looooong time.

A neighbor gave me a bottle of something whose name I can never remember. The instructions said shake then squirt on lots and wipe it off. I guess it left a wax film behind. It worked but only for 100 miles or less before the chain would start squeaking. Which is to say it seemed to need an application before every ride.

Lately I've been dripping hydraulic jack oil on the chain because I have some in a squeeze bottle. It seems to work.

Chains get dirty anyway.