*Also singing the Putoline song*
Oh the sound of a silent drive train. I also like not having to lube the chain pre every ride.
I just use the tin on the stove - with the extractor fan on it's doesn't stink the kitchen out.
Just cracked open a bottle of Muc Off wet ceramic. Too early to tell if it’s amazeballs as yet but for the money it wants to be
Let me know how it works!
Weldtite TF2 - great allrounder and very cheap (you're not saving any money on putoline nor time, much better suited than it for roadbikes), doesn't get gunky, but perhaps washes off a bit too easy in winter conditions - saw rust spots this season.
Weldtite Endurance Ceramic - Currently testing, seems smoother than TF2 and is dead silent, will see if it offers a better protection in the wet. They key I hear (as is instructed) is to clean off all excess so it doesn't gunk up.
Here's a test where they figured Synthetic gear oil did better than all bicycle chain lubes
Whilst not wanting to turn this into a Putoline thread (I know there is one of them out there already), I have one issue that stops me going for it. Taking the chain off every time you need to lube it is a ball ache however passionate you are about the stuff. Especially in the current conditions when it will need doing more often.
Secondly and my main reason for not going down the putoline route is the quick links. Most 11 or 12 speed mtb chains come with quick links that are designed to be single use or a handful of times at most. And yes I know the "it'll be fine, sram and Shimano would say that wouldn't they" line, but I have seen snapped quick links more than once from being used multiple times, which means I'm not risking it for the purpose of waxing the chain regularly.
Keeping my chain clean post ride and lubed ready for the next ride is not hard or time consuming at all (5 mins total before putting the bike away post ride, and I'm very fastidious about it), and I really can't see a Putoline chain lasting that much longer. I'm not saying that waxing isn't technically the best option for chains (sounds like it is in theory), but that the benefits are not worth the hassle (for me, obvs).
FWIW, I think the cleaning / lubing regime is as important if not more so than the actual lube itself, as long as it's actual chain lube and decent stuff. Have used a variety myself and don't have a 'must have' lube myself, just keep it clean.
No love for this stuff any more?
sings the chorus to the Putoline song.
No love for this stuff any more?
Smells like fairy liquid, but has precisely the reverse properties, attracting every piece of muck, shite, and grit within a five mile radius, then holding it tight until has coalesced into an indestructible blob ready to munch your chain.
Smells like fairy liquid, but has precisely the reverse properties, attracting every piece of muck, shite, and grit within a five mile radius, then holding it tight until has coalesced into an indestructible blob ready to munch your chain.
Haha, yes they are very cheeky showing a pristine clean chain on the label. Should be a vaguely chain-shaped, oversized, black-grey stringy blob.
Anyone else tried it? Trying to figure out if better than the Teflon Performance version.
Finish line wetlube is super grimy.
Should be a vaguely chain-shaped, oversized, black-grey stringy blob.
Or you can wipe a blob across each roller, from link to link on the inside of the bottom run of chain, back pedal it round a few times afterwards, then through a fist full of rag. All the lube where you want it, and a vague smear on the links to keep the rust at bay. Takes 2 mins.
Might be too faffy for some, but that's the way to apply wet lube. Spooging it liberally all over the chain, riding through crap, then spooging more on is going to leave you with
a vaguely chain-shaped, oversized, black-grey stringy blob
Or you can wipe a blob across each roller, from link to link on the inside of the bottom run of chain, back pedal it round a few times afterwards, then through a fist full of rag. All the lube where you want it, and a vague smear on the links to keep the rust at bay. Takes 2 mins.
Yep, my exact routine. Works a treat.
Taking the chain off every time you need to lube it is a ball ache however passionate you are about the stuff. Especially in the current conditions when it will need doing more often.
Yeah, quicklinks are the solution, but I share your concern about repeatedly breaking and joining. The right tool helps (e.g. quicklink pliers) and I've also stocked up on spares in the assumption that I'll replace the link after 3 or 4 breaks.
Adding these things to the costs column of Putoline means I suspect there is no real financial argument to it, also having learned the hard way I'll never trust it to last the duration of a multi-day trip, but then nothing seems to last the duration of multi-day trips!
I do still like it though, the drivetrains on my winter road/CX bikes run clean, smooth and silent with little care or attention.
I have seen snapped quick links more than once from being used multiple times
Really? I've always re-used them from when they came out. I never even knew about the single use thing. Where do they snap?
I would absolutely use Putoline on a multi-day trip, in fact since it lasts 10x longer than anything else I'd think it ideal.
In fact, the big advantage for me isn't even the longevity, it's the fact that my chain isn't a graunchy mess after the first couple of miles of trail like it is with every other lube I've tried. I can plug through endless mud and the chain is still freakishly quiet and smooth. That, along with some Showers Pass trousers and new Shimano winter boots a few weeks back resulted in the Holy Grail ride that I've been seeking ever since I started MTBing in the 90s - perfectly mud proof! I didn't care or even notice (at first) how thoroughly shitty it was because none of it affected me.
If you clean your bike after every ride there is no point in putoline as it just creates extra faff. I have to keep mine in the house so basically after every ride in the winter it needs washed anyway and then 2 secs to lube ontop rather than taking chain off and frying actually quite frequantly.
I found in the summer though it was great as didnt need to wash the bike and could just chuck it inside and lasted ages
I have seen snapped quick links more than once from being used multiple times
Whipperman connex quick links are reusable, need no tools to remove or install (golden coating makes it easier to spot too), you have 10,11 and 12 speed versions. Never broken one works perfect with shimano chains, basically my favorite bike part.
Juice lubes Viking all year round, not found anything that gives as good coverage for maximum convenience
No love for Rock N Roll Extreme? may have just ordered a 16oz bottle of it :/ Been using Squirt but finding it fairly useless in the British Winter with eternally wet roads.
If you clean your bike after every ride there is no point in putoline as it just creates extra faff.
Eh? both to cleaning after every ride and the "Extra Faff", it's certainly no more accumulated faff than dobbing some product on every link, after every ride...
I have to keep mine in the house so basically after every ride in the winter it needs washed anyway and then 2 secs to lube ontop rather than taking chain off and frying actually quite frequantly.
I have a spouse in my house so there's no way my bikes get to live in there too. I think you have a rare use case TBH...
The Chain comes off for a putoline dunking every 250~400 miles-ish (season and bike dependant)... Do you actually think people re-apply putoline after every single ride? The whole point is that you don't need to.
It is basically an ideal product for lazy, non-OCD sufferers...
I'm well over splodging expensive, PTFE loaded Jizz on my chain for it to either wash away in under five miles or combine with every particle it encouters to form a drivetrain knackering grinding paste.
If you clean your bike after every ride there is no point in putoline as it just creates extra faff.
No, this is the best part - bike cleaning just becomes a 2 min hose down. This is the main reason I went for it, to reduce faff. My old routine was already good - I'd use a thinner wet lube and coat the chain with cleaner then blast the hosepipe into it until twisting it made no noise. Then relube when dry. But with Putoline, the chain rarely makes a noise when I do the twist test, so I just hose the muck off the bike and done. Maybe a blast of water to the chain.
Putoline is:
Less work overall
Less faff at cleaning time
Much better lubricating through the course of a ride
Needs applying far less often
Makes your chain last longer
Only downside is the £25 upfront on the lube and £15 on the fryer.
it needs washed anyway and then 2 secs to lube ontop
Do you do the twist test? Take a link in your fingers and twist it, can you hear that grit in there? That's wearing away your chain. If I just hose and lube, with wet lube, that grit stays there. To get rid of it I need cleaner and a hose. Or a good chain wax so it doesn't end up in there in the first place. Don't ask me how it doesn't, btw, I don't know, but that's my experience.
Whipperman connex quick links are reusable, need no tools to remove or install
Oof, £16 though!
Used squirt for over a year now it’s fine in summer but waste of time in wet/mud. You have to lash it on it disappears within minutes in wet/muddy conditions:(
Rust spots all over chain. It’s quite expensive and you have to use lots. I’m switching back to wet lube in winter with one drop per link method!
No love for Rock N Roll Extreme? may have just ordered a 16oz bottle of it :/ Been using Squirt but finding it fairly useless in the British Winter with eternally wet roads.
I use this for CX racing, including some one-bike races, and it is unbelievably good. As in there's no way my drivetrain should still be working with 5kg of mud and grass on it, but it is.
But that's like a one-off application. I'm not sure it's durable enough to put on a road bike or a winter commuter and have it last - think you'd be re-applying it a lot [although the bottles are quite generous].
Someone mentioned rock 'n' roll racing and Viking lube. Never really worked for me. Still find my way works just fine, is quick to do, lasts a good while whilst not needing a fryer.
- Hose down the chain
- Scrub with a brush and a bit of Muc-off
- Scrape off the gunk from the hockey wheels and chain ring
- Hose down the chain
- Apply wd40 to the chain (careful to not go mad and get some on your brakes)
- Dry the chain with a rag whilst removing any left over crud
- Apply a liberal amount of Muc-off wet lube
- Wipe off excess lube with a rag
That's way too much faff for me.
I agree with Molgrips..... especially if you arw working to a tight deadline.... Ya know.... LiKE 5PM ON FRIDAY 22ND.
I've gone Putoline. Don't really find it a faff.
Only lasts 2-3 rides though - and thats with a waxy top up.
Its just so wet at the mo!! 😀
I am persevering though to give it a fair crack.
The less viscous lubes like viking just seem uber messy for application....CBA....putoline better than these option imho.
All my routine above takes 5 mins (unless I've not cleaned the chain in a while I'm which point it could take approx 10 mins. It helps having everything setup in the garage and the hose pipe just outside the garage.
requantly.
I have a spouse in my house so there’s no way my bikes get to live in there too. I think you have a rare use case TBH
I also have a spouse who lives in the house. She also keeps her bike inside because we live in an upstairs flat? Pretty sure that's not a rare use case haha. There's probably more of us than home owners with garages...
Only lasts 2-3 rides though
Interesting - that could depend on local soil or it could be a case of expectations. When I do it, the chain is super quiet for say two rides, then it starts making a little more noise but it stays like that for ages and only starts to get actually noisy later - but still takes ages before it gets to the same level as normal wet lube after about 30 mins. So if you go for a re-fry at the first sign of noise I can imagine you'd be doing it more regularly. Of the 500km on my road bike it was making some noise for about half of that distance. But it was still well lubed enough.
delet
Only lasts 2-3 rides though – and thats with a waxy top up.
I'm not sure top-ups are such a good idea, I was topping up (albeit with a wet lube) and I think it maybe causes the wax to flow out again, or something. Either way, chain ended up claggier for it.
Just wiping down with GT85 prevents corrosion between rides and it seems to run smoothly so makes me think the wax is staying inside the rollers where it should be.
No love for Rock N Roll Extreme? may have just ordered a 16oz bottle of it :/ Been using Squirt but finding it fairly useless in the British Winter with eternally wet roads.
I've got love for Rock'n'Roll. Great stuff!
Goes on easy, stays on, cleans off with the dirt when you wash it. Lasts well.
I do use a slightly stickier Progold Xtreme on the road bike, but that picks up less filth and so doesn't need such a high performance lube.
AB stuff has to be worth a try on the road bike surely?
https://absoluteblack.cc/graphenlube-worlds-best-chain-lubricant-coating/
Don't even have to go through the charade of heating it, which will be a disappointment to some - 1800 Km and 3-10 W savings, these are big claims (endorsed by Pog no less).
If there is a Wilko nearby then it's worth trying their All Weather Lube. Pretty sure it is rebranded Weldtite TF2 Performance.
andydunne - yes thats the shizzle
Ah i have been using Finish Line wet for years but agree with @GolfChick it does gum up around jockey wheels, anoyingly i have just bought another big bottle of it but will keep in mind to try the Juice Lubes wet.
Is the putoline wax in the tin a one shot thing? Can you use it again to lubricate the chain?
The tin is a kilo. My first one lasted a decade. Its huge as its meant for motorbike chains
Is the putoline wax in the tin a one shot thing? Can you use it again to lubricate the chain?
1 tin costs about £26, and it's a reuse for years to come kind of deal.
Depends on the time of year, but around now probably do it up every 4-5 rides (that's an average ride length of 50km, so 200-250km per lube).
So far plain paraffin wax mixed with TF2 All Purpose Cycle oil seems to be holding up better than wax alone. No flaking, no road grit, no staining, no stickiness compared to Putoline and no dry feeling after a rainy day. ODO shows 35km only so far though.
Putoline on the other hand was holding up well up to 250km until it got caught in a snow storm. The chain wasn't squeaky but developed heavy surface rust and became really stiff.
Finish line ceramic - been using this for a while as it doesn't turn to black gunk like the ordinary Finish line stuff and like Muc off.
First application of Putoline lasted 510km, today's 50km was horrible (not included in the total). The chain was squeaking like an ASDA BSO after a winter's neglect. TBF one ride last week did involve around 1km of water immersion. If it lasts that well for the rest of winter I shall be well pleased. This is mixed road/gravel riding with some salt exposure too. Some minor surface rust was showing this evening.
I’ve pressed the button and ordered a tin. Squirt and Smoove just aren’t anywhere near holding out for a full ride of Surrey Hill’s finest grinding paste this winter. My fatty has just come back sounding awful, but the wear gauge says the chain is still practically new.
So let’s see how it goes with a clean then a dip in the hot tin of wax.
