Best lube?

[Chris71]

Hi,

What lube would you recommend for every day commuting use?

I've always used various different grades of Lightning Ride and I've currently got the green one ('all conditions' I think?) It seems to work well, but it does pick up a lot of dust/grunge/general ickyness. After two days of commuting (on road) the chain looked like it needed stripping again.

This got me thinking - I've heard some people just spray PTFE-based dry lube like GT85 on for summer use. Is this a good idea? Would it keep cleaner do you reckon?

Chris

[Chris71]

...No one?

[P-Jay]

I'm using Chain-L No5 at the moment. Lasts ages!

You've got to put it on sparingly though, gloops up otherwise.

[BOR]

You could try Rock N Roll Extreme. It's a thin liquid that you apply liberally, then wipe off(as much as possible), so there is no sticky redidue to attract dirt. The makers claim that the fluid tranports dirt to the surface of the chain, which you remove with a rag whilst wiping off the fluid.

No question, the drivetrain on my bike does stay clean. I think it would probably wash away in wet conditions so maybe not ideal for commuting.

[Chris71]

What are people's thoughts on GT85 and similar PTFE lubricants?

I was told they're okay for predominantly dry use, but they prevent other lubricants adhering, so you can't reapply a normal liquid without stripping the chain down?

[Parsnip]

Personally I would not use GT85 as a lube, I treat it more like WD40 in that it displaces water, but not much else. Always use Finish line wet (wee bottle, green label) for summer or winter use. Sometimes use GT85 before to drive the water out of the chain after cleaning, but usually just leave it on a radiator.

Any good quality lube will do a similar job, the key is not to use so much that your chain gets grit,dust, babies etc. stuck to it and also to degrease and relube it regularly - apply more than you need then wipe it off again.

[Raven Flyer]

I use the GT85 stuff and it works well. The chain and cogs stay lubricated but don't get too dirty.

I use a small amount of spray grease or motorbike chain oil in winter but both need cleaning off frequently as dirt sticks to them. Use WD40 to remove it, wipe dry and then re-apply. I normally clean it off every 1-2 rides.

I would be wary of any light oils that you are told to apply and then wipe off.

[pdV6]

When I can be bothered I do the following:

• rinse
• degrease
• rinse
• WD40/GT85
• leave to dry
• apply FL wet/green (if dodgy weather) or FL dry/red (if sunny)

I don't tend to use FL green in the summer as it picks up dust from the trails very easily.

Edited by pdV6 on Thursday 5th August 16:28

[Chris71]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Sounds like the key point - I need to wipe down after (just sloshed it on in vast quantities so far).

Powerlinks make the chain relatively simple - tub of meths ofr 30 minutes and then a tub of soapy water - but the time consuming bit seems to be the sprockets and jockey wheels.

[pdV6]

Chris71 said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Sounds like the key point - I need to wipe down after (just sloshed it on in vast quantities so far).

Powerlinks make the chain relatively simple - tub of meths ofr 30 minutes and then a tub of soapy water - but the time consuming bit seems to be the sprockets and jockey wheels.

Nah = quick squirt of degreaser then spin the wheel using a thin brush to agitate the dirt on the sprockets. Hose off.

2 minute job, max.

[CerbitonFlyer]

Defo wouldn't recommend gt85 or ws40 or 3in1 for that matter. I've been using White lightening dry lube which being wax based helps cut down the amount of crap that sticks to the chain

[Gooby]

I use White lightening. Very good stuff if you pick the right lube for the conditions. I have grown very cynical about chain cleaning. I have really gone off the constant cleaning that I did last season and my riding buddies are still into. I figure that after about 20 to 30 seconds of riding you have loaded enough crap on the chain to cause damage. It takes 10mins to clean. For a £25 chain that you have extended the life for a few mins, probably 1 ride at best... Why waste all that effort? Jet wash the sodding thing once a week!

[PeteG]

Gooby said:

I use White lightening...

http://www.talkingretail.com/images/063D8AEA-1B92-11D9-A258-B96F2D727A86/063DA142-1B92-11D9-A258-B96F2D727A86/112B8CBE-3CA2-11D9-B7BF-B32CBAFEE083.jpg

[CerbitonFlyer]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

An even bigger godsend is a Park chain degreaser. No mess, no fuss, 2 minute job max and does an amazing job, plus you haven't got the faff of removing / refitting the chain

[a11y_m]

Finish Line red or green were what I used to use, but that was BS: before Scottoiler.

They're ugly as feck but Scottoiler produce a cycle oiler (their main business is automated motorcycle oilers) and I'm a total convert. It uses a very thin, water-based, non-sticky lube which isn't very durable hence why you need a reservoir of it the bike to top the chain as you go. But being water-based you never need to degrease, etc and the chain stays mega clean. I've been using Scottoilers on and off-raod for years now and now won't touch regular lubes with a bargepole.

http://www.scottoiler.com/uk/products/scottoiler-b...

[Chris71]

pdV6 said:

Hose off.

I've got no outside (or ground floor) water supply, so cleaning bikes is a bit of a nightmare. It involves several buckets of water carried down from upstairs (which one day, I'm sure, will go horribly wrong) and one of those squirty bottles of Muck Off (somewhat diluted).

[pdV6]

Ah. That adds to the pain I guess.

[itsnotarace]

3 in 1 is fine, I use it as well. Any oil will work ok but obviously if you don't wipe down all the excess it will attract dirt like nobodies business

[Vipers]

Thought the answer was KY jelly, guess thats not the lube your after.

[CerbitonFlyer]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

It will do the job granted, but because it's a wet lube it will attract dirt more readily than a dry lube, which either means the chain will wear quicker or you need to clean it more often. Plus it makes a mess when anything comes into contact with it!

There are some interesting comments here...... http://www.ehow.com/how_225_lube-bike-chain.html ......most of which tell you to avoid WD40 / 3in1 and use a Teflon based lube as they offer far better protection and are more durable.