Chain lube
06-18-22, 04:33 AM
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Chain lube
I'm looking for a oil based chain lube that's compatible with the preservative found on Shimano chain. I say preservative, since the lube found on new chain is really just a rust preventive. I'd like a "wet", oil based chain and not a "dry" lube or an emulsion.
I normally wipe down the chain anytime it's obviously dirty, After removing the dust, I apply lube and wipe off the excess. I'll do this monthly and replace the chain once or twice a year. I never soak the chain with cleaner, I prefer to maintain oil between the pin, bushing and side plates.
Any recommendations?
I normally wipe down the chain anytime it's obviously dirty, After removing the dust, I apply lube and wipe off the excess. I'll do this monthly and replace the chain once or twice a year. I never soak the chain with cleaner, I prefer to maintain oil between the pin, bushing and side plates.
Any recommendations?
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When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
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Last edited by Barrettscv; 06-18-22 at 06:14 AM.
06-18-22, 09:56 AM
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Not sure what it means to be "compatible" with the stuff they put on new chains, but Muc-Off Wet Lube holds up well in most conditions.
06-18-22, 10:20 AM
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Originally Posted by Rolla
Not sure what it means to be "compatible" with the stuff they put on new chains, but Muc-Off Wet Lube holds up well in most conditions.
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When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
06-18-22, 12:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Barrettscv
I'll give it a try. Some lube brands require that a new chain be cleaned to remove the factory preservative.
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06-18-22, 12:53 PM
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Originally Posted by Rolla
Ah. I usually clean that stuff off anyway, regardless of the lube I'm using. It attracts/retains a lot of fine grit.
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06-18-22, 06:30 PM
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I like 3 lubes for the Chain...
Regular Triflow is a nice middle ground and can be lubing for all things needing lube.
Finish Line wet is heavier and last well in rainy environments but it will act like a heavy oil (dark stuff on your skin if you touch it)
Sometimes I clean with TriFlow and then wipe with a rag, then depending on conditions chose between TriFlow and FL Wet apply a light coat and wipe lightly off and good to go.
My favorite these days is Rock n Roll Gold though. Apply a generous amount to clean then wipe, then again to lube. It stays real clean and works awesome. That said the "lube" doesn't last quite as long. So reapplication is just a little bit more often, like once a month. But it is dirt simple and really keeps a clean chain.
I will use any of the 3 depending on what I have in the garage but RnR Gold is my favorite.
Finish Line wet is heavier and last well in rainy environments but it will act like a heavy oil (dark stuff on your skin if you touch it)
Sometimes I clean with TriFlow and then wipe with a rag, then depending on conditions chose between TriFlow and FL Wet apply a light coat and wipe lightly off and good to go.
My favorite these days is Rock n Roll Gold though. Apply a generous amount to clean then wipe, then again to lube. It stays real clean and works awesome. That said the "lube" doesn't last quite as long. So reapplication is just a little bit more often, like once a month. But it is dirt simple and really keeps a clean chain.
I will use any of the 3 depending on what I have in the garage but RnR Gold is my favorite.
06-18-22, 08:46 PM
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I've had bad luck w/ "wet" lube. a bit too gooey, for my taste
06-18-22, 09:30 PM
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I’ve always heard that wet lube is great for people who like to clean and lube their chain often, and dry/wax lube is for those who like to leave it alone for a couple of weeks.
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06-19-22, 07:05 AM
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Every podcast and industry article I've consumed about chains in the last couple years has said to remove the factory lube as it gunks quickly and is slow.
Wet lube attracts gunk, dry lube attracts less.
Nothing I have used is similar tonthe Shimano stock stuff.
Wet lube attracts gunk, dry lube attracts less.
Nothing I have used is similar tonthe Shimano stock stuff.
06-21-22, 02:35 AM
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Or get a chain that doesn't rust. Those advertised as "silver plated" tends to be quite resistant from rusting and then just use any lube you like. They are not really more expensive than regular ones. Quite happy using them because I didn't have to clean and re-lube the chain every time I get caught in rain.
06-23-22, 04:38 AM
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I don't think I've ever run into a wet lube that's incompatible with the factory lube/preservative. It's only the high-zoot stuff racers need to minimize chain wattage losses that worry about that,.
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06-26-22, 10:27 AM
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Originally Posted by Rolla
I’ve always heard that wet lube is great for people who like to clean and lube their chain often, and dry/wax lube is for those who like to leave it alone for a couple of weeks.
Ya, where is this coming from. It's the opposite... you wax often..... but lube less with oil based lube.
Show me something that says the stuff that comes on modern chains is just a preservative. Of course it's preservative, but it's also a lube.... like a lightweight grease.
Just use Chain-L or bar & chain oil for your "wet" ness lube.
06-26-22, 10:47 AM
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Originally Posted by trailangel
Ya, where is this coming from. It's the opposite... you wax often..... but lube less with oil based lube.
06-26-22, 01:30 PM
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Originally Posted by trailangel
"I've always heard...."
Ya, where is this coming from. It's the opposite... you wax often..... but lube less with oil based lube.
Show me something that says the stuff that comes on modern chains is just a preservative. Of course it's preservative, but it's also a lube.... like a lightweight grease.
Just use Chain-L or bar & chain oil for your "wet" ness lube.
Ya, where is this coming from. It's the opposite... you wax often..... but lube less with oil based lube.
Show me something that says the stuff that comes on modern chains is just a preservative. Of course it's preservative, but it's also a lube.... like a lightweight grease.
Just use Chain-L or bar & chain oil for your "wet" ness lube.
Its in here somewhere if you really want to know. Convinced me to degrease every new chain I get.
https://cyclingtips.com/2022/03/nerd...or-your-needs/
06-26-22, 07:44 PM
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Originally Posted by chas58
Its in here somewhere if you really want to know. Convinced me to degrease every new chain I get.
https://cyclingtips.com/2022/03/nerd...or-your-needs/
https://cyclingtips.com/2022/03/nerd...or-your-needs/
07-01-22, 09:14 AM
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Originally Posted by dwmckee
I do not see it in there. Generally I believe you degrease a new chain only if you plan on waxing it instead of oiling it.
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When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
