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Are people just using the same lube on their e-bikes as they use on regular bikes or should e-bike drivetrains be getting lubed with something different due to increased forces, wear, etc?
I know most ebike specific stuff is just marketing (same as it used to be ‘enduro’ everything), but wondered if this was the case for lube.
ta
I think Silca do an E-bike version of their very well regarded synergetic. However, hot immersion waxing would suit the application well.
Anyone selling an ebike specific chain lube is selling snake oil imho.
For what it's worth, I now use motorcycle chain lube sparingly, since I discovered that Putoline wax is a great lube but useless at rust protection.
Mainly though it's because cycle -specific chain lube is already ridiculously priced, never mind ebike-specific cycle chain lube!
I can't really think of much that actually needs to be ebike -specific compared to whatever it does on an MTB. 🤔
Do pro riders with their huge power figures feel the need to use anything other than bog standard lubes (of wax/oil/primeval swamp juice/whatever)?
Cheers for the responses.
Obviously an ebike is an expensive toy and I was just looking for advice and opinions. Ta xx
now all I need to do is choose which ebike specific shoes, helmet and gloves I need 😉
Never ran e-bike lube on any of my e bikes in the last 8 years
Best way to make the chain last is be sympathetic with shifting, regular wipe down/clean and re lube of the whole drivetrain
Find a lube that you like then buy it in bulk (1 litre bottle) rather than keep buying 120ml bottles, espcially if you have a fleet of bikes
i use the muc off ebike all weather spray lube - mainly as its thin, comes in a convenient spray can and doesnt make the chain all claggy.
otherwise its gt85 for me.
i use the same lube for all bikes.
I use Putoline, same as on my other bikes.
I do wonder how much is wasted clogging the hollow pins on an XTR chain though.
Surely extra virgn olive oil for an ebike?
Squirt do an ebike version, has a bit more oil in it apparently.
putoline same as the rest of my bikes
Do pro riders with their huge power figures feel the need to use anything other than bog standard lubes (of wax/oil/primeval swamp juice/whatever)?
they don’t pay for or maintain their own bikes. The whole drivetrain is replaced regularly and oil only has to last a single short race. Not a good model for the rest of us.
Just fitted a new chain & chainring on my GX T-Type after 2500 miles, left the existing cassette on. I’ve used Squirt since new and it’s been great.
I get 3 years out a drivetrain (normal bike) and using Squirt...I reckon I could get a bit longer but there is definite signs of wear by then. Still great shifting though.
For those doubters obviously e-bikes are different, or so Steve Peat thinks 😂
His all weather lube says ‘ebike friendly’ on it
Does that mean e-bikes are more delicate ?
Time is irrelevant, it’s mileage that’s important and 2500 miles for a drivetrain is very poor.
It was 2500 for the chain & chainring on an e-bike which I thought was very good.
The cassette was still in very good condition and the shifting is flawless still.
It was 2500 for the chain & chainring on an e-bike which I thought was very good.
My e-bike has done 9000 miles so far on the same chainring and 2 chains in rotation (so 4500 each roughly) and no wear even registers on the chain checker. It’s a road/gravel e-bike though so potentially lighter on the drivetrain than an MTB.
Time is irrelevant, it’s mileage that’s important and 2500 miles for a drivetrain is very poor.
I agree. I get such long life with putoline that i no longer know how long as its years between newchains. My Shand has done 5000ish miles and still on the original chain which has plenty of life yet