Scottoiler for bicycles.

[anonymous-user]

[redacted]

[angusc43]

This guy likes it....

http://www.patrickjames.co.uk/bic_scot.php

Edited by angusc43 on Monday 4th January 12:44

[Parsnip]

They seem a total waste of time to me - is fitting a powerlink to your chain, cleaning and lubing it every couple of weeks really that much of a hassle?

Solution looking for a problem IMO

[neil_bolton]

Waste of time.

Will break and WILL gunk up your chain over time causing more damage than good.

As mentioned, powerlink, tootbrush and some decent degreaser every once in a while will be just as good.

ps lazy git

[Parsnip]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Best way to clean a chain is to take it off (easy with a powerlink - I like the wipperman ones, easier to undo if you haven't cleaned the chain in a while, the SRAM and KMC versions you need fingers like vices to get off if the chain is dirty)stick it in an old bottle with some degreaser and shake it, rinse off when done. For the cassette, use a toothbrush and some degreaser if it really needs it. Put the chain back on when all is dry and apply lube of choice - i like the finish line wet stuff, seems to do the job well, and comes out like shaving foam, so you don't make a mess of everything.

The trouble with most people is that they assume because their chain isn't running smoothly, they should apply more lube - all this does is cause more crap to stick to it - and as far as I can see, thats all the scottoiler does.

[rocksteadyeddie]

Would echo the thoughts of those above. No need. If taking the chain off is too difficult then one of these will do a decent job.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Park-Tools-Chain-Scrubber-bi...

[Parrot of Doom]

I've always cleaned my chains in diesel. Miles cheaper per litre than anything else.

[a11y_m]

neil_bolton said:

Waste of time.

Will break and WILL gunk up your chain over time causing more damage than good.

Sorry Neil, utter bks. Have you tried one? Doesn't sound like it. You're welcome to your opinion though...

I've got Scottoilers on all my bikes (mountain and road) and have done for the past few years, so feel I've got a more valid opinion here. They work VERY well. They WON'T gunk up your chain because the lube is water-based and very viscous, hence needing to carry a reservoir of the stuff to top up during rides. They just work, offroad and for commuting. Worst aspect of them IMO is they're a bit fugly.

I'm pointing a mate in the direction of this thread who'll be able to provide more info about how/why they work. But these photos say a lot about how well they work: after doing the Wild Boar 24-hr MTB race in Grizedale, dusty conditions with a good amount of surface water, no cleaning of the bike or chain whatsoever during the event. This was the chain condition afterwards before I cleaned anything:







I will NEVER go back to regular lube, not when something as simple as this works so well. Ideal for lazy riding too - if you do want to clean the chain, warm water and a cloth is all you need. So more environmentally friendly too.

That link above to the bloke who likes them - you can do a far neater installation than that:

Reservoir on rear of seat tube, squid under the top-tube:


Reservoir inside small triangle, squid under top-tube:


Reservoir bottom of seat tube, squid on top of top-tube:

[rory182]

Why on earth is it being discussed on pistonheads?!

I'm a mountain biker, a petrol head, a motorcyclist and an employee of Scottoiler.

Water is only 1% less effective as a lubricant on a bicycle transmission than any commercial oil or grease. As such we developed a water based lube. A dry bicycle chain is 12-13% less efficient than a wet chain, efficiency decreases hugely with dirt so cleaning is as important as lubricating.

With our lube it rinses off with water creating a much cleaner transmission, it's all about convenience. Sure it's not for everyone but those who have tried it generally love it.

[rory182]

Chain 'stretch' is due to wear inside the chain causing it to elongate, therefore keeping the chain free of grinding paste and wet with lubricant will result in less stretch.

I haven't run a bicycle without a Scottoiler for 5 years now so I have no comparisons of with / without from my own experience and of course I could be accused of being biased.

Ally or any of his Stirling Bike Club mates would be better to answer w.r.t the wear / life from his unbiased opinion, these guys are the biggest advocates of the system.

[rory182]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

lack of demand, we don't push it at all therefore Evans have nobody asking for them so don't sell many. Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op or the CTC shop (run by Evans) generally have them in stock. We concentrate very much on our bread and butter which is the motorcycle market, we're well respected in this market so there's no reason to suggest we're chancers in the bicycle market.

Cheapest will be an old system sitting on a shelf in a local bike shop somewhere through lack of demand / understanding. You can buy via our website too.

On a commuting bike you'll get a black road grime on the transmission I'd recommend cleaning it off weekly / fortnightly to ensure best results. You'll find the actual cleaning extremely easy due to the water based lube.