Recommendation: Chain oil for winter use
 

Should I go lighter or thicker? I do want to prevent salty water from degrading the chain and cassette too quickly but my bike is a winter bike so I will be riding in the winter with it.

A friend suggested I consider a lanolin-based (wool fat) lubricant and I've seen one based on lanolin before but not sure if it is any good.

I use a KMC ECO PROTEQ chain with paraffin wax on my winter bike. I used to use pro gold prolink, but I don't think it makes much difference.

Wow, you're full of info today!! :lol: :thumb:

I like the idea of the anti-rust (even if it just slows rust development) chain (Z510-EPT » KMC Chain), but I'll consider that for next year.

Slow day at the office. A lot of people are still on vacation.

Same here, 3 out of 10.

Have a great day!

I use Chain-L High Mileage Bicycle Chain Lubricant.

In Ottawa (and, I suspect, Sudbury) there is so much grit and salt on the roads that I find I need to replace the chain in the spring no matter what I do. Usually one is just trying to protect the link itself from wear, but in the winter you have to keep the whole chain from turning into a solid bar of rust. I find that a liberal dose of Chain-L helps.

I keep using the same lube as ever. If you're concerned about the effects of snow and other gunk, perhaps you should focus more attention on keeping that stuff off the chain in the first place. (Fenders, chain guard, etc.)

Where did you get that oil? I've been considering it but shipping from the US might be challenging or expensive (or both).

I just order it from the web site. I ordered a couple of bottles last time to save on postage. I don't remember what the postage cost, but it wasn't too bad.

They have some Canadian dealers, see this page: Chain-L Dealer List

You could call one of them, see if they could send it, that might be cheaper.

Thanks

Magic Mixture by the end of the thread here

Shipping from the USA isn't bad. We charge a heavily subsidized $5.00 flat for one or any quantity (actual postage for one is USD(9.03).

However, I suggest you call the Bicycle Tailor in Fergus, ON. They're our newest dealer and can probably save you time and money. Plus he can use the positive reinforcement of having someone call just to ask about it.

The Chain-L dealer list seems to be a bit out-of-date. Several of the dealers listed in my area are no longer in business.

I use basic 3 in 1 light machine oil. The salt from roads accelerates the rusting process. In picture I cant upload you would see excessive rust on my mountain bike I used during the winter weather. All rust on crank gears accumulated after Chrismas snow we had and within the last week.You see other crank gear of my other bikes not rusted even though also parked outside in rain but not used in salty winter weather same oil just not used in salty weather. Both bikes left dirty out in rain. The salt and grime needs to be washed and if I had of washed bike exposed to road salt there would have been no rust even if chain needed oil. Its actually a chemical process similar to lead acid batteries where electrons leave steel turning it to rust. The salt disolves in water to make liquid thicker conducting electrons better. Get rid of salt to slow rusting process. I don't use fenders but I wash bike or before kids I used to wash bike in coin operated car wash you find in any Canadian town. The powerful spray cleans chain and derailier. Then oil. Any oil is better then no oil. I have used leftover 10w30 in empty oil bottles at gas station. Gorilla winter cycling. Sticky oil attracts more dirt on your transmission. Wash at coin operated car wash and oil often making sure to hit pivot points of derailier especially front. Cheers happy biking.