jfmckenna

I agree from similar experience w/ Froze. I used WL and it worked for 50 miles and thats it! I admit I liked it cause you coult touch the chain and get no greasy stains on you but the stuff just does not work well. I switched to T( and found it works quite well. It is a bit expensive though so some times I just use WD-40.

zeego

Well - i went to the hardware store and bought some Tri-Flow. Can't beat the price for one thing. Its all I remember using when I was a mechanic back in the day. Yeah, Tri-Flow may pick up some more dirt than others but if there's tons of dirt on your chain you need to clean it more often. z

caloso

Uh oh. Can o' worms officially opened.

zeego

lol - im just an anal ***** that's all

Grampy™

Prolink.

operator

Ahhh they're all over the place!

moabrider47

Pedro's Extra Dry on the road and mountain bikes.

Ed Holland

Goat's blood, obtained on the first full moon after the winter solstice.

Failing that, Finish Line Cross Country.

Al.canoe

I've had the same results. Triflow doesn't work for me even on hardpack in the N Georgia mountains much less here in the N Florida sand. I keep going back to white lighting even after trying Pedro's. I reapply roughly every 5 rides which is about 100 miles. More often if the chain gets wet. I find that the drivetrain stays cleaner if I wipe off the excess after it dries overnight.

Al

roadienewt

I've been using Prolink for about a year and a half- great stuff. I've been getting at least 200 miles between applications and runs very quiet.

jfz

I have been using Prolink about every 100 miles, I just put a drop on every link and wipe the chain off with a rag, I do not use anything to clean the chain.

capsicum

Dumond tech original seems to work the best for my mtb and old 10 speed, dry to the touch and a good luber, quite to, 40 miles offroad in all conditions and its like I just lubed it last night.
D.T Light is a thined version of Original Dumonde so that it is easier to apply with out over applying on the new fangled roadbikes with skinny chains, original is for burly ol' mtb components.
I've tried white lighting, pedros ice wax, tri flow, and pedros version of triflow. The waxes don't lube worth beans, tri-flow is good for an oil but picks up dirt, makes a good cable lube but so does Mobile1 in an old tri-flow squeeze bottle, $5 a quart-never run out. (tri-flow is a way better than Water Displacer number 40,[W.D.] like 5 times the lubrication, I've done tests with quite clear results)

nolageek

I think the "perfect lube" varies amongst everyone. I don't do a lot of off-roading, mostly commuting to/from work and running errands on the weekend - but I switched to Purple Extreme last week. I got a few free samples from my LBS and so far I really like it. I don't do a lot of riding in heavy rain, but it rained the oher day for about 3 hours while my bike was locked up and I didn't have to relube when I got home.

The reason I was looking to switch (I was using Tri-Flow) was because I ride in my work clothes and I had my chain come off last week mid-ride and I was a total greasy mess by the time I got it back on. I decided I had to find something that was less messy. The LBS tech recommended trying P.E. but also said he had never used it. The web site claims it lasts up to 400 miles rain or shine per application. I'll let you know in another 370.

Vincent

steveknight

does it still let the chain get black?

nolageek

If that was directed at me regarding Purple Extreme: No, it's a waxed base lube so there's no grody black residue like oil based lube. I was told it's supposed to last longer than other waxes. The guy at the LBS admitted he had not tried it - but it was a free sample so I figured I'd give it a shot.

I have to say I do notice a bit of black (not NEAR as much as before) but I think that's due to the additive in the Purple Extreme that "clean" your chain (much like White Lightening does.) I say this because I noticed it was all on the side opposite of the side I applied the lube.

So far I like it. Hell, even if I end up having to buy a new bottle every month it'd be cheaper than all the gas/insurance I was paying when I had my car!

Vincent

capsicum

I used tri-flow all through school and I remember rolling up my right pant leg to avoid the black grime, that and it made sure the chain wouldn't grab my cuff. The dumond doesn't get the grime, stays very clean actualy.

ULooKinAtMe?

Rock'n'roll Extreme. Read the glowing reviews on the Mountain Bike Review site.

dobber

Gee, I feel so uncool. All I use is a motor oil/mineral spirits mix (25% oil). Use an eyedropper and put a drop on each link. Wipe the chain down with a WD-40 soaked rag afterwards. Voila !!

So far its worked very well on the Road, Singlespeed, Mountain and Fixed Gear.

steveknight

got my bottle and put some on yesterday. I must not have gotten enough on as Ai was squeaking before i got home (G)

capsicum

The dumondtech I use is a polymer base not a wax or oil base. It seems to last and last, start with a clean clean chain, apply, spin a couple times to work it, wipe the chain with a rag and its good for a hundred miles or more. I recommend letting it set overnight though it doesn't set up hard, but its sweet smelling when fresh so there must be something evaporating.

RacerX

ProLink is the best stuff

operator

So what exactly is all that black grimey stuff after using Tri-Flow?

steveknight

till it rains or you want a clean chain. there are far better lubes out there.

zacster

I've been using tri-flow for so long that I figured by now there would be something better, but I see people still use it. It does get grimy, but that's part of the mystique of cycling.

I know many years ago people would dip there chain in candle wax. They said it worked better than any oil based product, and kept the chain silent but made a big mess. Never tried it.

nolageek

I haven't had that problem. I don't ride a lot in the rain, but there's lots of puddles here since it's been raining a lot during the day while I'm at work. I got some sqeaks after about 3 weeks... but I had just finished cleaning the bike and I didn't have a lot of lube left int he tester. I just re-applied today, I'll let you know how it goes.

Vincent