Any suggestions before I spend money in the shop? I’ve always used White Lightening Wax lube but am not sure it is doing as good a job as I would like or lasting as long as I would like. I would like something reasonably clean and quite long lasting. Ideas please.
Rock n Roll extreme, or whatever it's called. The blue one. I use it on all my bikes year round as it's clean and long lasting. I've just noticed that Merlin now stock it so hopefully no need to stockpile any more.
I've just got some squirt wax lube. It seems very good. Not as complicated to use as some waxes ie: chain doesn't have to be spotless before application etc. Its quitened everything down a treat
All those bike-specific chain lubes are a waste of money.
Just use small drips of any old oil you have in the shed. Unless it rains, chain lube on a road bike lasts ages.
TBH, I've tried pretty much all of the oil-based lubes for dry weather road riding and asked a question on here for further recommendations to try. White Lightning Clean Ride was recommeded, I've tried it, and after a couple of thousand km's I have to say - for me, and what I want from it - it's been the best of the lot. Yes, you do have to plan ahead and apply it so it's dry by ride time and it REALLY doesn't like the wet.... but apart from that it's great stuff.
GT85.
White Lighting Epic ride is a good middle ground between an oil based lube and a wax lube - ie it goes on with a solvent but doesn't wash off in the rain.
I doubted purple extreme for a while, mainly because it appeared that it wouldn't last for but in comparison with some others its actually very good.
Nothing seems to have done so well as the Castrol Magnatex 5/10w I keep for the car though.
[i]Rock n Roll extreme, or whatever it's called. The blue one. [/i]
This. I'm currently working through a massive bottle of the Gold one and I'm not convinced it's worth the extra money.
Fenwicks Stealth Road Bike Chain Lube
^ Best I have found - wipes off dry comes with a pipette to apply a small ammount on each roler. Wipe after application with a dry rag.
How about a bit of animal fat? doesn't seem much different to all these wax lubes to me...
A bit of left over bacon fat?
Of course this being STW I'm sure clarified Goose fat or better yet rubbing your chain with Parma Ham could be justified, then of course there's chorizo which some will tell you is fine all year round but really its only any good as a dry summer lube...
I'm thinking about lunch now...
[i]rubbing your chain with Parma Ham[/i]
🙂
The original sticky stuff on chains is what I've run with all 'summer' and it seems okay; hasn't picked-up too much crap and is the quietest it's ever been. Cheap, too...
Squirt highly recommended here. I often get comments when I go out on a group ride as to how I keep my drive train so clean.
I followed the instructions and as I was applying it to a chain that had been used with "oil" I made a good thorough job of degreasing. Since then it has worked a treat even in winter. You really do need to apply the day before a ride if more is needed. I usually apply some after a ride if I think it is in need of replenishing. I hardly ever even need to wipe the chain down. Excellent for minimum crud build up. And you can wash down/clean up with soapy water. Haven't used anything else on RB for 2 years now.
Using up my stocks of "oil" lubes on my SS MTB.
I use Squirt for both my mountain and road bikes.
As above, it's important to degrease the chain (rings and cassette if grubby) thoroughly before starting.
For the first application, apply twice in a warm dry environment allowing it to dry between each coat. I hang the chain over a radiator in winter.
After that. Hose down if wet or muddy, dry with a cloth and reapply. When dry, brush off (I use an old dish brush) the loose stuff and reapply.
Chains run very smoothly.
This [url= http://roadcyclinguk.com/blogs/davids-blog/wet-chain-lube-versus-dry.html ]review[/url] is good.
[url= http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/chain-l-no-5 ]Chain-L No5[/url]
I've tried loads of different types and this is by far the best I used. Runs silky smooth and quiet. Expensive but you don't need a lot.
[url= http://www.chain-l.com/Links.html ]Reviews[/url]