Which chain lube?
Discussion
Hi,
I have two near new bikes, one enduro mtb and one road. I haven't cleaned or lubed the chains yet, but it's due. The chains and cassettes are spotless, and I don't want to cover them in sticky chain lube that attracts loads of dirt if I can avoid it. Have used Finishline Wet for years but it attracts so much crap. I'd rather use a good lube from new, price not a concern really.
What would you recommend? I'm thinking a dry lube but used a bit more often than usual through the winter, rather than a wet lube?
If so, i'm torn between Muc-Off Dry, Muc-Off Ceramic Dry, Squirt Dry, Fenwicks Stealth and Weldtite TF2.
Road bike doesn't usually get ridden in the rain, but does get ridden on wet roads sometimes. Enduro obviously get's wet and muddy but won't see much use in the winter months.
Thanks,
Matt
I have two near new bikes, one enduro mtb and one road. I haven't cleaned or lubed the chains yet, but it's due. The chains and cassettes are spotless, and I don't want to cover them in sticky chain lube that attracts loads of dirt if I can avoid it. Have used Finishline Wet for years but it attracts so much crap. I'd rather use a good lube from new, price not a concern really.
What would you recommend? I'm thinking a dry lube but used a bit more often than usual through the winter, rather than a wet lube?
If so, i'm torn between Muc-Off Dry, Muc-Off Ceramic Dry, Squirt Dry, Fenwicks Stealth and Weldtite TF2.
Road bike doesn't usually get ridden in the rain, but does get ridden on wet roads sometimes. Enduro obviously get's wet and muddy but won't see much use in the winter months.
Thanks,
Matt
I use Muc-Off Wet Ceramic Lube and it seems to do a good job of keeping things nicely smooth.
I'm assuming you already follow the process of: 1) lubing the chain, 2) letting the lube settle for a minute and 3) wiping off the excess lube with a cloth? If so, even when it's filthy outside, my chain rarely gets properly clogged.
I'm assuming you already follow the process of: 1) lubing the chain, 2) letting the lube settle for a minute and 3) wiping off the excess lube with a cloth? If so, even when it's filthy outside, my chain rarely gets properly clogged.
This subject is such a...
FWIW I was using 'Squirt' dry lube most of this year. Great stuff, especially when it's dry and dusty as it doesn't pick crap up and stops grit, etc, getting into the rollers and pins. But the first time I rode with it in a proper rainstorm it was washed out pretty swiftly and I was left with a noisy chain going brown pretty swiftly. Not ideal on a long ride really.
After that I bought some Muc-Off Wet Lube in Aldi. Not bad but it's hard to get the excess off, and grit still gets into the rollers and the chain ends up looking like it's got a film of black sludge on it.
I do ride with a mate who likes Muc-Off Ceramic lube. I've noticed his chain is always nice and shiny still, even when mine looks like a black sludgy mess. He says it's a faff to apply though, as it's expensive and he "doesn't want to waste a drop". I'm going to try that one next I think. Probably when the new cassette and chain go on...
FWIW I was using 'Squirt' dry lube most of this year. Great stuff, especially when it's dry and dusty as it doesn't pick crap up and stops grit, etc, getting into the rollers and pins. But the first time I rode with it in a proper rainstorm it was washed out pretty swiftly and I was left with a noisy chain going brown pretty swiftly. Not ideal on a long ride really.
After that I bought some Muc-Off Wet Lube in Aldi. Not bad but it's hard to get the excess off, and grit still gets into the rollers and the chain ends up looking like it's got a film of black sludge on it.
I do ride with a mate who likes Muc-Off Ceramic lube. I've noticed his chain is always nice and shiny still, even when mine looks like a black sludgy mess. He says it's a faff to apply though, as it's expensive and he "doesn't want to waste a drop". I'm going to try that one next I think. Probably when the new cassette and chain go on...
Hi, Thanks for the advice all. I know it's a minefield!
I do follow that procedure yes and the grime has improved with the wet lube but I'd still rather try to avoid it with the new bikes.
Have heard very good things about Fenwicks Stealth. I think it's between that or Muc Off Dry Ceramic. Squirt sounds good but think the others are a bit more durable for perhaps no more mess.
Wouldn't be bothered if it was all filthy already, would just try one at a time, but they're still both spotless.
I do follow that procedure yes and the grime has improved with the wet lube but I'd still rather try to avoid it with the new bikes.
Have heard very good things about Fenwicks Stealth. I think it's between that or Muc Off Dry Ceramic. Squirt sounds good but think the others are a bit more durable for perhaps no more mess.
Wouldn't be bothered if it was all filthy already, would just try one at a time, but they're still both spotless.
Master Bean said:
Blimey that's pricey, and no mention of how long it lasts once applied. Not even an approximation.Think i'd sooner try the well-reviewed Muc-Off Hydrodynamic.
13aines said:
Master Bean said:
Blimey that's pricey, and no mention of how long it lasts once applied. Not even an approximation.Think i'd sooner try the well-reviewed Muc-Off Hydrodynamic.
At £49.99 per 50ml
it sounds like it ought to be sold at The Perfume Shop. I suspect it may be cheaper to just buy less expensive chains, never lube them, and just replace them more frequently.I've currently got an odd situation. My cassette (el cheapo Sunrace thing from Decathlon) is worn to excess on the 11t and 13t sprockets. Yet the chain (KMC, but packaged as B-Twin and again from Decathlon, fitted at the same time), when measured using my Park Tools chain-checker, isn't showing as worn at all. I'm just using it as-is for now, but not using those two gears. I've got a 'proper' Shimano cassette and chain to go on, but reluctant to try to mix old with new in case the "skipping teeth" issue isn't resolved by just a new cassette. Quietly hoping that the chain wears out soon so I've got a refreshed drive-train on in time for the local winter MTB race series.
Morgan Blue Extra Dry MTB / Cross
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/morgan-blue-ext...
I've been using it for a few years.
I apply a quick drop all round the chain before each ride and wipe off at the end of each.
Seems fine for 20 - 40 mile rides on and off road. Probably not the ideal choice in real downpour / mud bath rides - but I'm very happy with it.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/morgan-blue-ext...
I've been using it for a few years.
I apply a quick drop all round the chain before each ride and wipe off at the end of each.
Seems fine for 20 - 40 mile rides on and off road. Probably not the ideal choice in real downpour / mud bath rides - but I'm very happy with it.
I am not an engineer, and I do not have expensive bikes, nor do I generate many watts.
I just get the impression that chain lube is a snake oil market. Surely the main point about any lubrication is that it doesn't get squashed out of the mating surfaces, or flung off the rotating bits. For a bike chain, won't the stuff you put in the car engine do?
I appreciate that it's a very dirty environment and therefore the chain needs regular cleaning and re oiling. Why shouldn't almost any oil do?
I just get the impression that chain lube is a snake oil market. Surely the main point about any lubrication is that it doesn't get squashed out of the mating surfaces, or flung off the rotating bits. For a bike chain, won't the stuff you put in the car engine do?
I appreciate that it's a very dirty environment and therefore the chain needs regular cleaning and re oiling. Why shouldn't almost any oil do?
True enough about using "any old engine oil".
It's what we all used way back when, after all. Whatever my dad currently had in the green oil can on the bench in the shed. But back then we had a grease gun to lube stuff underneath the car too. So things have moved on somewhat.
Still not a bad shout on using whatever you have lying around for a bike chain. All it's doing is providing a lubricating film between metal surfaces to slow down the inevitable wear, and preventing the chain from turning rusty. I'll see what I've got at the back of the shelf next time I need more chain lube, to save myself a couple of quid and to see if it's any better or worse.
My current post-ride routine is to spray some GT85 onto a rag and wipe the gun off the chain, then put a single drop of chain lube on each roller, 'work' the chain for a few revolutions then wipe off the excess. Then, before riding, give it another wipe to get rid of as much external lubricant as possible, ride, and repeat. If the chain sounds excessively "gritty" then I'll sling it in an ice cream tub with either some degreaser or some GT85, then dry it and relube it. But I've definitely stopped being so precious about keeping the chain 'perfectly clean' now. And I hardly ever wash the bike. Jusy dry-brush any dry mud off it, and wipe down the chain, forks and shocks. Occasionally some brake cleaner on the discs when it sounds (or looks) like it needs it. So long as the moving parts move freely, then the rest of it can stay covered in mud for all the difference it makes to me. I'd only wash it down to put it in the back of the car really. It's a lot more fun riding it than cleaning it...
It's what we all used way back when, after all. Whatever my dad currently had in the green oil can on the bench in the shed. But back then we had a grease gun to lube stuff underneath the car too. So things have moved on somewhat.
Still not a bad shout on using whatever you have lying around for a bike chain. All it's doing is providing a lubricating film between metal surfaces to slow down the inevitable wear, and preventing the chain from turning rusty. I'll see what I've got at the back of the shelf next time I need more chain lube, to save myself a couple of quid and to see if it's any better or worse.
My current post-ride routine is to spray some GT85 onto a rag and wipe the gun off the chain, then put a single drop of chain lube on each roller, 'work' the chain for a few revolutions then wipe off the excess. Then, before riding, give it another wipe to get rid of as much external lubricant as possible, ride, and repeat. If the chain sounds excessively "gritty" then I'll sling it in an ice cream tub with either some degreaser or some GT85, then dry it and relube it. But I've definitely stopped being so precious about keeping the chain 'perfectly clean' now. And I hardly ever wash the bike. Jusy dry-brush any dry mud off it, and wipe down the chain, forks and shocks. Occasionally some brake cleaner on the discs when it sounds (or looks) like it needs it. So long as the moving parts move freely, then the rest of it can stay covered in mud for all the difference it makes to me. I'd only wash it down to put it in the back of the car really. It's a lot more fun riding it than cleaning it...
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