I have really enjoyed Rock n Roll lube for this past season. I have only tried the Extreme so far. Rock"N"Roll Lubrication - Products - Bicycle Lube
gman0482 said:I use Tri-Flow, and I put a small drop into every ring. Then I spin the the pedals around a bunch of times quickly, and then hold a rag to the bottom of the chain while slowly spinning the pedals to get any extra dripping lube off.
Is that ok or bad ?
6fhscjess said:Wipe off the whole chain after not just the bottom. You don't need any lube on the outside of the chain. Also wipe off the chain after each ride.
I used Pro-Link for a long time and was very pleased with it but recently I switched to Chain L #5 and so far I like it even better.
Personally, I think that's a bad combination. Solvents aren't recommended by Shimano (at least the last HG-93 chain I bought stated that), plus the blow dry is likely to force dirt into the chain where you don't want it.BHOFM said:Mineral sprites, blow dry, 3n1 oil! Weekly!
You can put a piece of cardboard between the chain and the bike when you blow
it off, to keep the bike from getting really black!!
dhk2 said:Personally, I think that's a bad combination. Solvents aren't recommended by Shimano (at least the last HG-93 chain I bought stated that), plus the blow dry is likely to force dirt into the chain where you don't want it.
All this cleaning really isn't needed. I know we all have our rituals, but IMO constant heavy cleaning can detract from chain life and performance.
Compressed air and solvents will destroy your chain. I took a chain into work and used the safety clean parts washer to clean it. I used the tank on the day it was serviced so the solvent was not contaminated. Also in my infinite wisdom gave it a good blow dry with compressed air. The end result was a chain that had so much fine grit inbeded into it that it felt like sand was in between every link. No amount of lubricant could restore the chain. I now only use a shop towel that has been moistened with degreaser to wipe the chain off. I use finish line pro road lubricant. I followed the manufactures recommended initial application and now relube my chain whenever the black gloss begins to turn flat black. Chain tattoo washes off.dhk2 said:Personally, I think that's a bad combination. Solvents aren't recommended by Shimano (at least the last HG-93 chain I bought stated that), plus the blow dry is likely to force dirt into the chain where you don't want it.
All this cleaning really isn't needed. I know we all have our rituals, but IMO constant heavy cleaning can detract from chain life and performance.
dhk2 said:I like Prolink as well. I tend to relube about every 100-150 miles or so, which is usually about a week. The chain starts sounding a little noisy when the bike is on the stand; that's when I relube. A buddy here only relubes every 300-400 miles with Prolink and his chains seem to hold up fine.
I don't know what optimal lube schedule is, but even using it weekly, my 4 oz bottle of Prolink lasts over a year (one drop per bushing). It's cheap enough that I figure more often is better....plus, I like to see that black oil on the outside of the chain and cassette
64Paramount said:What do you like better about Chain L #5 over ProLink?
I've just been using ProLink for a few weeks and I like it because it does not seem to attract dirt like some lubes I have used, but I do have to re-lube the chain every week and other lubes I have used in the past did not require such a frequent application.
Not that lubing the chain every week is such a bad thing, it doesn't take long and I do tend to inspect my bike a little closer when I have it on the stand doing the lube.
dhk2 said:evilbofh, your chain ritual has to win the prize for the most time consuming and messiest one I've heard yet. Since I virtually never "clean" my chain, of course it sounds like a big waste of time, not to mention an environment disaster with all that solvent and oil. Maybe you ride in a very dirty or off-road conditions which necessitates all that constant cleaning.
When you say your chains, cassettes and rings last much longer than if you just had one chain and lubed it normally, it begs the obvious question....how long do they last and what criteria do you use for replacement?
Well the winters here are mixed rain and snow on a almost daily basis and the summers are just wet...dhk2 said:evilbofh, your chain ritual has to win the prize for the most time consuming and messiest one I've heard yet. Since I virtually never "clean" my chain, of course it sounds like a big waste of time, not to mention an environment disaster with all that solvent and oil. Maybe you ride in a very dirty or off-road conditions which necessitates all that constant cleaning.
When you say your chains, cassettes and rings last much longer than if you just had one chain and lubed it normally, it begs the obvious question....how long do they last and what criteria do you use for replacement?
BHOFM said:The only proper way to clean a chain is to have the Pope clean it with Holy water
and then it has to be lubed with oil rendered from 13 humming birds by a witch
doctor and applied by three virgins who are then thrown in a volcano. This must
be done during a total eclipse of the sun. This must be done every thirteenth day.
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