There is better stuff.If you are really into cheap, tell him to get you a quart of synthetic moror oil and it 1 part oil to 3 or 4 parts mineral spirits. It's a cheap lifetime supply.babybunny said:My dad just gave me a big 32 fl oz bottle of Valvoline SAE 5w30 motor oil for my bike. He, a chemical engineer (non-bicyclist) says it'll be ok to use on my bike. What do you think? This stuff is really cheap.
Motor oil will not hurt the chain or bike. It isn't a light viscosity so it may not penetrate down inside the chain where it is really needed very well, but it won't hurt it.babybunny said:My dad just gave me a big 32 fl oz bottle of Valvoline SAE 5w30 motor oil for my bike. He, a chemical engineer (non-bicyclist) says it'll be ok to use on my bike. What do you think? This stuff is really cheap.
Doctor Morbius said:Motor oil will not hurt the chain or bike. It isn't a light viscosity so it may not penetrate down inside the chain where it is really needed very well, but it won't hurt it.
What it will do is gunk up the chain, cogs and derailure pullys quite nicely. Be prepared to clean it more frequently.
I've been using 3in1 oil as it is a lighter weight oil and I'm cheap. It's messy too but I just spray a little Simple Green on an old rag and wipe the chain down every couple of days. That way I don't have to do a thorough cleaning as often.
malcomm said:I'm also cheap and use Pedros IceWax.
Its damn easy to use, simply wipe down the chain and re-apply the goo evey 100 miles or so.
Pedros website claims that useing the wax on a new chain should extend its life by a factor of 2, tat makes the wax a cheap solution.
Oil traps all the grit and **** off the road and makes a rather good grinding paste. Gets all over your clothes and skin.
Wax washes out of skin and clothes easily, also helps keep the grit out of the chain.
dhk said:???It's no easier to use than other lubes in a bottle....one small drop on each bushing every 100 miles or so does the trick for any lube. <
I buy it in bulk and use a paintbrush to poke it down into the links.
>No chain lube should get on your clothes or skin, unless you're hosing it all over the chain. <
True but then you often wind up with a nice chainring imprint on your leg when you fall off
Malcom
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