Drivetrain lubricant - recommendations for sandy environemnts

Dry is better - been running dry on very dusty canal paths on my commute, but it's not lasting more than 50 miles before I need to re-apply (that's two days commute). I run wet most of the time.

I think you'll need to clean the drive chain fully every time you do a sandy ride. Dry will keep if sand free longer.

Molten hot wax as ever. I use putoline

Immersive wax, as it runs dry it won't attract sand, which is what will eat away the drive train. Second best would be a drip on wax lube which dries once the solvent evaporates.

My local trails are dry and sandy and I've found Squirt lube to be the best for drivetrain longevity.

talc is the pro CX tip

Squirt for convenience but I'd never use it for muddy MTB rides if any significant length, so might not fit in with rest of your riding.

Immersion wax is great but I'd never use a freshly Putolined chain in dusty or sandy conditions, in fact I find it needs one good muddy or wet + abrasive ride to strip off all the excess wax, then given a wipe down with something light like GT85 and it's perfect 👌

Would like to experiment with other waxes to find something that's less sticky after the initial application, but there's other threads for detailed wax chat 😉

talc is the pro CX tip

???

Am intrigued, what do you use the talc for? (I still use it for tyres with tubes, don't really believe it makes a difference but feels old-school pro so I keep doing it 🙄)

I just use Purple Extreme, same as for everywhere else. I apply it sparingly and, preferably, the day before riding. I also accept that the bike will need a good rinse/wash/re-lube after coastal riding. I've a planned Coll-Tiree holiday with the Fatbike which will be a challenge 😉

Would like to experiment with other waxes to find something that’s less sticky after the initial application, but there’s other threads for detailed wax chat 😉

I had a horrible feeling I might need to seek out that thread.....

I did think about the molten wax approach, but did wonder about how that would work in an environment that extreme where cleaning after every ride is probably inevitable. How much can you deep clean a putoline chain without going back to the beginning.

I just use Purple Extreme, same as for everywhere else. I apply it sparingly and, preferably, the day before riding. I also accept that the bike will need a good rinse/wash/re-lube after coastal riding. I’ve a planned Coll-Tiree holiday with the Fatbike which will be a challenge

Thanks Colin - as someone who rides many of the same places as me, that's a good starting point.

Most of the trails round here are on sandy heathland so it may as well be the beach at the moment. Putoline +1.

I hang the chains from nails and wiping down with cotton rags whilst still hot (wear those big red rubber gloves binmen use), seems to prevent the excess on the jockey wheels.

That’s my everyday riding environment and this is the best thing out.
It’s sheep in a can:
https://www.inoxmx.com/products/mx4-lanox-lanolin-lubricant/

Weirdly enough my drivetrains last longer with this stuff than with the chain specific version.

It's conditions like that that make me wonder we don't see chainguards to at least stop the worst of the sand being flicked up onto the chain.

Ugly but could help?

Also should be able to tell you later this week if some glfwax has helped as discussed on the recent chain-waxing thread, given the sandy trails down here.  It's certainly dried in/on without leaving any sticky residue so I'm optimistic it'll prove a lot better than my previous dry lubes.

It’s conditions like that that make me wonder we don’t see chainguards to at least stop the worst of the sand being flicked up onto the chain.

Not sure it would help much, the cassette and derailleur are still in the firing line. I've got one on my hub geared commuter and it's main advantage is you can absolutely soak the chain in oil over the winter and not worry about the excess.

Most of the trails round here are on sandy heathland so it may as well be the beach at the moment.

Interestingly I think its actually a bit different. My trails are sandy/loamy too and most of my dune rides are obviously very sandy. Most of that kind of sand drops/knocks/brushes off. Combining super fine beach sand with salt water seems to be the magic bullet to drive chain trashing. It clings ina special way and then the salt water gets to work almost corroding anything that has had the lubrication stripped off before your eyes.

Lovely ride though!

13thfloormonk
Full Member

???

Am intrigued, what do you use the talc for? (I still use it for tyres with tubes, don’t really believe it makes a difference but feels old-school pro so I keep doing it 🙄)

Actually, looks like i have the approach I was thinking of a bit wrong, but still talc:

"Also, talcum powder on your chain! Lube your chain, let the lube dry, then cover it in talc. The talc absorbs all the excess moisture, and the sand has nothing to stick to. It also makes your bike smell nice."

http://www.albannach.cc/the-champs-with-neil-walker/

I use Smoove and you can help STW by buying it from their shop (as I've just done).

https://crosscountrycycle.wordpress.com/2014/09/16/gloop-guarding/

chainchoobz

Candle wax or a hard wax brew based on that. I'm using Enigma black edition these days.