Chain Lube Options?
- Thread starter DSK
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http://www.cyclingforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=53006
G
Geoff Pearson
Guest
"DSK" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> I was just wandering, what chain lube is best to use on a road bike and what do you all use
> yourselves? Also, how oftend do you usually lube your chains?
>
> I'd prefer something that is not oily as oily stuff tends to fling off etc.
>
>
>
> --
> >--------------------------<
> Posted via cyclingforums.com http://www.cyclingforums.com
Krytech in the dry and routinely. If it gets really wet I plan to change to FinishLine Cross
Country. I also got some free stuff from Decathlon in France I plan to try.
> I was just wandering, what chain lube is best to use on a road bike and what do you all use
> yourselves? Also, how oftend do you usually lube your chains?
>
> I'd prefer something that is not oily as oily stuff tends to fling off etc.
>
>
>
> --
> >--------------------------<
> Posted via cyclingforums.com http://www.cyclingforums.com
Krytech in the dry and routinely. If it gets really wet I plan to change to FinishLine Cross
Country. I also got some free stuff from Decathlon in France I plan to try.
O
Ouch
Guest
>I was just wandering, what chain lube is best to use on a road bike and what do you all use
>yourselves? Also, how oftend do you usually lube your chains?
>
>I'd prefer something that is not oily as oily stuff tends to fling off etc.
Well, I fit into the category of being a mtb'er but XC also rides roads so here's my 2ps worth.
I chain my oil about once a month. I also take this opportunity to check the chain for wear.
I first keep it in white spirit (which is a great grime and muck cleaner btw) for half a day before
immersing it in a jar of synthetic engine oil for a day.
After I remove the chain from the jar I wipe it clean with an old rag (can take a while to get it
off from the outside of the chain) and put it back on again. Et voila!
I don't find a problem with 'oily stuff flinging off' this way.
>yourselves? Also, how oftend do you usually lube your chains?
>
>I'd prefer something that is not oily as oily stuff tends to fling off etc.
Well, I fit into the category of being a mtb'er but XC also rides roads so here's my 2ps worth.
I chain my oil about once a month. I also take this opportunity to check the chain for wear.
I first keep it in white spirit (which is a great grime and muck cleaner btw) for half a day before
immersing it in a jar of synthetic engine oil for a day.
After I remove the chain from the jar I wipe it clean with an old rag (can take a while to get it
off from the outside of the chain) and put it back on again. Et voila!
I don't find a problem with 'oily stuff flinging off' this way.
J
Just Zis Guy
Guest
DSK wrote:
> I was just wandering, what chain lube is best to use on a road bike and what do you all use
> yourselves? Also, how oftend do you usually lube your chains?
White Lightning Raceday (wax) - I've tried plenty of things and this seems to keep the chain clean
(sheds crud) and lasts a reasonable time. In summer a weekly drip of lube is all that's required, in
winter maybe every couple of days if the roads are very wet.
I ride a recumbent, the rear mech is very close to the ground, and keeping crud off the chain is a
Big Deal, but I also use the same stuff on my upwrongs (including a triplet) with equally good
results. The teiplet only seems to need a drip of lube every month or so, and it's used most days
for the school run.
--
Guy
===
WARNING: may contain traces of irony. Contents may settle after posting.
http://chapmancentral.demon.co.uk
> I was just wandering, what chain lube is best to use on a road bike and what do you all use
> yourselves? Also, how oftend do you usually lube your chains?
White Lightning Raceday (wax) - I've tried plenty of things and this seems to keep the chain clean
(sheds crud) and lasts a reasonable time. In summer a weekly drip of lube is all that's required, in
winter maybe every couple of days if the roads are very wet.
I ride a recumbent, the rear mech is very close to the ground, and keeping crud off the chain is a
Big Deal, but I also use the same stuff on my upwrongs (including a triplet) with equally good
results. The teiplet only seems to need a drip of lube every month or so, and it's used most days
for the school run.
--
Guy
===
WARNING: may contain traces of irony. Contents may settle after posting.
http://chapmancentral.demon.co.uk
P
Pete Biggs
Guest
DSK wrote:
> I was just wandering, what chain lube is best to use on a road bike and what do you all use
> yourselves? Also, how oftend do you usually lube your chains?
>
> I'd prefer something that is not oily as oily stuff tends to fling off etc.
The cleanest hard wax products are expensive and don't last long so need reapplying very very
frequently (especially after riding in the rain). You can literally end up spending more on lube
than chain.
Thicker oil based products don't fling off too much. Spray grease is cheap and works (leave to
thicken for a few hours after applying and wipe off excess); some other special oil lubes may work
even better. Chain will get very dirty with them though.
I'm currently using Halfords Chain Wax (same as Castrol's) which is a relatively inexpensive medium
soft wax so is a compromise between the two types. Some dirt does stick to it (but wipes off quite
easily) so it's not ideal, really. Trouble is, there is NO ideal chain lube.
Don't worry about it and use whatever *you* think is best and . It's just important to clean the
chain thouroughly by immersing in solvent/degreaser before it gets extremely dirty/gritty.
Check out the motorcycle products which are cheaper than Finish Price Fixed Line, etc - not all of
them are designed exclusively for o-ring chains (bicycle chains don't have o-rings).
~PB
> I was just wandering, what chain lube is best to use on a road bike and what do you all use
> yourselves? Also, how oftend do you usually lube your chains?
>
> I'd prefer something that is not oily as oily stuff tends to fling off etc.
The cleanest hard wax products are expensive and don't last long so need reapplying very very
frequently (especially after riding in the rain). You can literally end up spending more on lube
than chain.
Thicker oil based products don't fling off too much. Spray grease is cheap and works (leave to
thicken for a few hours after applying and wipe off excess); some other special oil lubes may work
even better. Chain will get very dirty with them though.
I'm currently using Halfords Chain Wax (same as Castrol's) which is a relatively inexpensive medium
soft wax so is a compromise between the two types. Some dirt does stick to it (but wipes off quite
easily) so it's not ideal, really. Trouble is, there is NO ideal chain lube.
Don't worry about it and use whatever *you* think is best and . It's just important to clean the
chain thouroughly by immersing in solvent/degreaser before it gets extremely dirty/gritty.
Check out the motorcycle products which are cheaper than Finish Price Fixed Line, etc - not all of
them are designed exclusively for o-ring chains (bicycle chains don't have o-rings).
~PB
A
Andyp
Guest
"DSK" <[email protected]> wrote
> I was just wandering, what chain lube is best to use on a road bike and what do you all use
> yourselves? Also, how oftend do you usually lube your chains?
>
> I'd prefer something that is not oily as oily stuff tends to fling off etc.
I'm well aware of the "Ooh you don't wanna put WD40/GT85 stuff anywhere near your chain mate" advice
but that's all I ever used on my old bike and 1 new chain (and rear cassette) in 10 years says it
works to me. I didn't bother measuring any "stretch" but just ran the chain until it started
slipping and coming off. (More environmentally friendly and cheaper than throwing away perfectly
good chains that have probably still got plenty of life left in them just because they don't measure
a certain length, surely?)
Anyhow, since getting a new bike in March I've taken note and the chain has "stretched" a smidgen
less than 1/16th inch on the odd squirt of GT85 and little in the way of cleaning. That'd be about
1500 to 2000 of dirt and tarmac miles at a rough guesstimate. How much mileage would anyone expect
from any other lubricant?
> I was just wandering, what chain lube is best to use on a road bike and what do you all use
> yourselves? Also, how oftend do you usually lube your chains?
>
> I'd prefer something that is not oily as oily stuff tends to fling off etc.
I'm well aware of the "Ooh you don't wanna put WD40/GT85 stuff anywhere near your chain mate" advice
but that's all I ever used on my old bike and 1 new chain (and rear cassette) in 10 years says it
works to me. I didn't bother measuring any "stretch" but just ran the chain until it started
slipping and coming off. (More environmentally friendly and cheaper than throwing away perfectly
good chains that have probably still got plenty of life left in them just because they don't measure
a certain length, surely?)
Anyhow, since getting a new bike in March I've taken note and the chain has "stretched" a smidgen
less than 1/16th inch on the odd squirt of GT85 and little in the way of cleaning. That'd be about
1500 to 2000 of dirt and tarmac miles at a rough guesstimate. How much mileage would anyone expect
from any other lubricant?
Z
Zog The Undenia
Guest
DSK wrote:
> I was just wandering, what chain lube is best to use on a road bike and what do you all use
> yourselves? Also, how oftend do you usually lube your chains?
>
> I'd prefer something that is not oily as oily stuff tends to fling off etc.
Never found better than 3-in-1 oil. Just give the chain a really good wipe after you've oiled each
link and it won't fling (it goes a bit gummy with age which helps)
> I was just wandering, what chain lube is best to use on a road bike and what do you all use
> yourselves? Also, how oftend do you usually lube your chains?
>
> I'd prefer something that is not oily as oily stuff tends to fling off etc.
Never found better than 3-in-1 oil. Just give the chain a really good wipe after you've oiled each
link and it won't fling (it goes a bit gummy with age which helps)
M
Mark Van Gorkom
Guest
DSK wrote:
>I was just wandering, what chain lube is best to use on a road bike and what do you all use
>yourselves? Also, how oftend do you usually lube your chains?
I swear by Boeshield T-9, esp. in wet conditions.
Mark van Gorkom.
>I was just wandering, what chain lube is best to use on a road bike and what do you all use
>yourselves? Also, how oftend do you usually lube your chains?
I swear by Boeshield T-9, esp. in wet conditions.
Mark van Gorkom.
P
Pete Biggs
Guest
> ....Halfords Chain Wax (same as Castrol's).....
Note that this product is very slow to set so leave for at least several hours after application
before using, and wipe off excess.
~PB
Note that this product is very slow to set so leave for at least several hours after application
before using, and wipe off excess.
~PB
Z
Zog The Undenia
Guest
AndyP wrote:
> "DSK" <[email protected]> wrote
>
>
>>I was just wandering, what chain lube is best to use on a road bike and what do you all use
>>yourselves? Also, how oftend do you usually lube your chains?
>>
>>I'd prefer something that is not oily as oily stuff tends to fling off etc.
>
>
> I'm well aware of the "Ooh you don't wanna put WD40/GT85 stuff anywhere near your chain mate"
> advice but that's all I ever used on my old bike and 1 new chain (and rear cassette) in 10 years
> says it works to me. I didn't bother measuring any "stretch" but just ran the chain until it
> started slipping and coming off. (More environmentally friendly and cheaper than throwing away
> perfectly good chains that have probably still got plenty of life left in them just because they
> don't measure a certain length, surely?)
>
> Anyhow, since getting a new bike in March I've taken note and the chain has "stretched" a smidgen
> less than 1/16th inch on the odd squirt of GT85 and little in the way of cleaning. That'd be about
> 1500 to 2000 of dirt and tarmac miles at a rough guesstimate. How much mileage would anyone expect
> from any other lubricant?
>
>
1/16th is the wear limit before you start to knacker sprockets and chainrings. 1500 to 2000 miles
isn't all that good unless you only ride offroad. I'd expect at least 5,000 if not 10,000.
I confess that my chains usually rust (because I forget to sort them out after wet rides) rather
than wear out.
> "DSK" <[email protected]> wrote
>
>
>>I was just wandering, what chain lube is best to use on a road bike and what do you all use
>>yourselves? Also, how oftend do you usually lube your chains?
>>
>>I'd prefer something that is not oily as oily stuff tends to fling off etc.
>
>
> I'm well aware of the "Ooh you don't wanna put WD40/GT85 stuff anywhere near your chain mate"
> advice but that's all I ever used on my old bike and 1 new chain (and rear cassette) in 10 years
> says it works to me. I didn't bother measuring any "stretch" but just ran the chain until it
> started slipping and coming off. (More environmentally friendly and cheaper than throwing away
> perfectly good chains that have probably still got plenty of life left in them just because they
> don't measure a certain length, surely?)
>
> Anyhow, since getting a new bike in March I've taken note and the chain has "stretched" a smidgen
> less than 1/16th inch on the odd squirt of GT85 and little in the way of cleaning. That'd be about
> 1500 to 2000 of dirt and tarmac miles at a rough guesstimate. How much mileage would anyone expect
> from any other lubricant?
>
>
1/16th is the wear limit before you start to knacker sprockets and chainrings. 1500 to 2000 miles
isn't all that good unless you only ride offroad. I'd expect at least 5,000 if not 10,000.
I confess that my chains usually rust (because I forget to sort them out after wet rides) rather
than wear out.
P
Pete Biggs
Guest
AndyP wrote:
> I'm well aware of the "Ooh you don't wanna put WD40/GT85 stuff anywhere near your chain mate"
> advice but that's all I ever used on my old bike and 1 new chain (and rear cassette) in 10 years
> says it works to me. I didn't bother measuring any "stretch" but just ran the chain until it
> started slipping and coming off. (More environmentally friendly and cheaper than throwing away
> perfectly good chains that have probably still got plenty of life left in them just because they
> don't measure a certain length, surely?)
>
> Anyhow, since getting a new bike in March I've taken note and the chain has "stretched" a smidgen
> less than 1/16th inch on the odd squirt of GT85 and little in the way of cleaning. That'd be about
> 1500 to 2000 of dirt and tarmac miles at a rough guesstimate. How much mileage would anyone expect
> from any other lubricant?
That much or quite a bit more depending on make of chain and exact useage (strength of pedalling and
cross-over gears used, etc) as well as possibly lubrication.
I find WD40 or GT85 flings off and messes up wheels & frame when ridden, gets gritty and doesn't
last long.
~PB
> I'm well aware of the "Ooh you don't wanna put WD40/GT85 stuff anywhere near your chain mate"
> advice but that's all I ever used on my old bike and 1 new chain (and rear cassette) in 10 years
> says it works to me. I didn't bother measuring any "stretch" but just ran the chain until it
> started slipping and coming off. (More environmentally friendly and cheaper than throwing away
> perfectly good chains that have probably still got plenty of life left in them just because they
> don't measure a certain length, surely?)
>
> Anyhow, since getting a new bike in March I've taken note and the chain has "stretched" a smidgen
> less than 1/16th inch on the odd squirt of GT85 and little in the way of cleaning. That'd be about
> 1500 to 2000 of dirt and tarmac miles at a rough guesstimate. How much mileage would anyone expect
> from any other lubricant?
That much or quite a bit more depending on make of chain and exact useage (strength of pedalling and
cross-over gears used, etc) as well as possibly lubrication.
I find WD40 or GT85 flings off and messes up wheels & frame when ridden, gets gritty and doesn't
last long.
~PB
P
Pete Biggs
Guest
Zog The Undeniable wrote:
> 1/16th is the wear limit before you start to knacker sprockets and chainrings. 1500 to 2000 miles
> isn't all that good unless you only ride offroad. I'd expect at least 5,000 if not 10,000.
I don't deny that that is possible but I think it's atypical. 1500 to 3500 (on-road) is more like it
with typical modern chain and use, I think. I've completely worn out a PC41 8sp chain in less than
9000 miles so that it skips on original sprockets let alone got past the 1/16th point. (I now use
9sp chain and replace at 1/16th but haven't been keeping track of mileage recently).
I've got a feeling Shimano and Campagnolo chain lasts longer than SRAM but I haven't got any data to
back that up yet. Certainly my Park chain checker measures less initial play from new with Campag C9
compared to SRAM PC59 so I would guess the Campag should last longer (although more likely to skip
on partly worn sprockets from new).
~PB
> 1/16th is the wear limit before you start to knacker sprockets and chainrings. 1500 to 2000 miles
> isn't all that good unless you only ride offroad. I'd expect at least 5,000 if not 10,000.
I don't deny that that is possible but I think it's atypical. 1500 to 3500 (on-road) is more like it
with typical modern chain and use, I think. I've completely worn out a PC41 8sp chain in less than
9000 miles so that it skips on original sprockets let alone got past the 1/16th point. (I now use
9sp chain and replace at 1/16th but haven't been keeping track of mileage recently).
I've got a feeling Shimano and Campagnolo chain lasts longer than SRAM but I haven't got any data to
back that up yet. Certainly my Park chain checker measures less initial play from new with Campag C9
compared to SRAM PC59 so I would guess the Campag should last longer (although more likely to skip
on partly worn sprockets from new).
~PB
A
Andyp
Guest
"Zog The Undeniable" <[email protected]> wrote
> 1/16th is the wear limit before you start to knacker sprockets and chainrings. 1500 to 2000 miles
> isn't all that good unless you only ride offroad. I'd expect at least 5,000 if not 10,000.
As I said above my last bike had one new chain and cassette in 10 years of offroad and daily
commuting in all weathers for the last 5 or 6. I didn't need new chainrings. If you're happy with
average bottom of the range stuff...£10 for a chain and £15 for a cassette... I can't see the point
in changing your chain when it reaches some arbitrary limit for the sake of not having to renew the
cassette as well. Certainly not from a cost point of view. Why not let them wear together until you
start actually getting problems which in my experience must be way past the 1/8th inch stage. (Or do
they maybe wear so much and then stop or at least wear at a progressively slower rate as they become
a looser fit?).
> 1/16th is the wear limit before you start to knacker sprockets and chainrings. 1500 to 2000 miles
> isn't all that good unless you only ride offroad. I'd expect at least 5,000 if not 10,000.
As I said above my last bike had one new chain and cassette in 10 years of offroad and daily
commuting in all weathers for the last 5 or 6. I didn't need new chainrings. If you're happy with
average bottom of the range stuff...£10 for a chain and £15 for a cassette... I can't see the point
in changing your chain when it reaches some arbitrary limit for the sake of not having to renew the
cassette as well. Certainly not from a cost point of view. Why not let them wear together until you
start actually getting problems which in my experience must be way past the 1/8th inch stage. (Or do
they maybe wear so much and then stop or at least wear at a progressively slower rate as they become
a looser fit?).
Z
Zog The Undenia
Guest
Pete Biggs wrote:
> I don't deny that that is possible but I think it's atypical. 1500 to 3500 (on-road) is more like
> it with typical modern chain and use, I think.
Possibly for 9 speed chain which seems rather lightweight. I haven't been able to evaluate the life
of one of these as I only converted the bike from 7 speed rceently. At about £25 for a Dura-Ace
chain I hope it lasts!
> I don't deny that that is possible but I think it's atypical. 1500 to 3500 (on-road) is more like
> it with typical modern chain and use, I think.
Possibly for 9 speed chain which seems rather lightweight. I haven't been able to evaluate the life
of one of these as I only converted the bike from 7 speed rceently. At about £25 for a Dura-Ace
chain I hope it lasts!
S
Simon Brooke
Guest
"AndyP" <[email protected]> writes:
> "DSK" <[email protected]> wrote
>
> > I was just wandering, what chain lube is best to use on a road bike and what do you all use
> > yourselves? Also, how oftend do you usually lube your chains?
> >
> > I'd prefer something that is not oily as oily stuff tends to fling off etc.
>
> I'm well aware of the "Ooh you don't wanna put WD40/GT85 stuff anywhere near your chain mate"
> advice but that's all I ever used on my old bike and 1 new chain (and rear cassette) in 10 years
> says it works to me. I didn't bother measuring any "stretch" but just ran the chain until it
> started slipping and coming off. (More environmentally friendly and cheaper than throwing away
> perfectly good chains that have probably still got plenty of life left in them just because they
> don't measure a certain length, surely?)
If you change them in time you don't have to change the cassette and chainrings as well, which has
to have some environmental friendliness to it....
--
[email protected] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/
do not sail on uphill water
- Bill Lee
> "DSK" <[email protected]> wrote
>
> > I was just wandering, what chain lube is best to use on a road bike and what do you all use
> > yourselves? Also, how oftend do you usually lube your chains?
> >
> > I'd prefer something that is not oily as oily stuff tends to fling off etc.
>
> I'm well aware of the "Ooh you don't wanna put WD40/GT85 stuff anywhere near your chain mate"
> advice but that's all I ever used on my old bike and 1 new chain (and rear cassette) in 10 years
> says it works to me. I didn't bother measuring any "stretch" but just ran the chain until it
> started slipping and coming off. (More environmentally friendly and cheaper than throwing away
> perfectly good chains that have probably still got plenty of life left in them just because they
> don't measure a certain length, surely?)
If you change them in time you don't have to change the cassette and chainrings as well, which has
to have some environmental friendliness to it....
--
[email protected] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/
do not sail on uphill water
- Bill Lee
M
Marten Hoffmann
Guest
ouch <> schreef ...
> I chain my oil about once a month.
How do you do that? ;-)
--
Regards, Marten
> I chain my oil about once a month.
How do you do that? ;-)
--
Regards, Marten
A
Andyp
Guest
"Simon Brooke" <[email protected]> wrote
> If you change them in time you don't have to change the cassette and chainrings as well, which has
> to have some environmental friendliness to it....
Hmm...one chain and one cassette versus 15 to 20 (?) chains if changed at
1/16th of elongation. I reckon the environment would go for the first option.
> If you change them in time you don't have to change the cassette and chainrings as well, which has
> to have some environmental friendliness to it....
Hmm...one chain and one cassette versus 15 to 20 (?) chains if changed at
1/16th of elongation. I reckon the environment would go for the first option.
F
Frank X
Guest
"Pete Biggs" <pbiggmellon{remove_fruit}[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> > ....Halfords Chain Wax (same as Castrol's).....
>
> Note that this product is very slow to set so leave for at least several hours after application
> before using, and wipe off excess.
I tried this, but I seem to have to put loads on and even then the chain didn't appear to be very
well lubricated. It seemed to me a bottle would only last a month or so.
It would have been cheaper to never lubricate and buy a new chains every 2 or 3 months. . I gave up
and went back to car engine oil It sprays a lot and gets dirty but it lubricates and lasts.
news:[email protected]...
> > ....Halfords Chain Wax (same as Castrol's).....
>
> Note that this product is very slow to set so leave for at least several hours after application
> before using, and wipe off excess.
I tried this, but I seem to have to put loads on and even then the chain didn't appear to be very
well lubricated. It seemed to me a bottle would only last a month or so.
It would have been cheaper to never lubricate and buy a new chains every 2 or 3 months. . I gave up
and went back to car engine oil It sprays a lot and gets dirty but it lubricates and lasts.
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