Vanity chain lube

Rick Onanian said:

Posting from google groups, since I'm away from home today but unable to resist the urge to post.

This will undoubtedly begin a long chain lube war. I'm sorry. I hope I can at least find an answer
before the war gets out of hand. 😉

Who can suggest a chain lube that is reasonably effective and keeps the chain clean and pretty?
I've upgraded most of the drivetrain on my fair-weather pretty bike; and as shallow as this is, I
love how it looks with the clean, brand new, factory-lubed chain and the shiny chainrings and
sprockets.

Seeing the bike shining and pretty makes me want to ride when I might otherwise want to do
something else. The Wipperman nickel plated chain is a nice silver color now, and I'd like to
avoid putting a lube on it that turns black quickly, if such an animal exists.

Meanwhile, I'll continue putting quickly-black lube that I know works well on my mtb and my recently-
realized bad-weather beater.

Any ideas?

Treadmill grease.

Bill "HTH" S.

On 8 Feb 2004 07:27:43 -0800, [email hidden] (Rick Onanian) may have

Quoted message said:

Who can suggest a chain lube that is reasonably effective and keeps the chain clean and pretty?

Just my opinion, which will be expressed once before I ignore this thread:

There is no effective chain lube that will keep your chain clean and pretty. The "chain lube" that
will keep your chain clean and pretty is not good lube.

--
My email address is antispammed; pull WEEDS if replying via e-mail.
Yes, I have a killfile. If I don't respond to something,
it's also possible that I'm busy.
Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.

(Rick Onanian) said:

This will undoubtedly begin a long chain lube war. I'm sorry. I hope I can at least find an answer
before the war gets out of hand. 😉

mtbreview.comlubeOpen ↗

I'll keep it to just my recent experiences. No science here, no double blind studies, just two lubes
that I have been using. I don't ride off-road- this is based just on road riding.

Rock N Roll. I am using the Extreme. It holds up well in rain. It's on my commuter/beater bikes- if
it has fenders, it gets this lube.

rocklube.comproducts detail extreme.htmlOpen ↗
mtbreview.comproduct 22269.shtmlOpen ↗

ProLink. Very clean. Does not hold up to rain as well as the RnR Extreme. It's on my sunny
day/weekend bikes.

progoldmfr.comprolink.htmlOpen ↗
mtbreview.comproduct 22264.shtmlOpen ↗

The RnR seems to be a bit dirtier than the ProLink. RnR leaves more of itself on the cassette, and
leads to a bit more black gunk on the chainwheels. But I can go longer between applications. Both
are *very* clean compared to my old usual, TriFlo. Both will give you that shiny chain and cassette
so important to your self-image 🙂 Both are the 'pour it on, spin the chain, wipe it off' types.
Both are giving me excellent chain life. No measurable wear after 800-1000 miles or so.

I'm happy with both. Summary- RnR holds up to weather better, ProLink makes for a slightly shinier
drivetrain. Yep, I will spend more money over the next ten years by not buying a quart of motor oil.
I'll get over it.

Rick Onanian said:

Posting from google groups, since I'm away from home today but unable to resist the urge to post.

This will undoubtedly begin a long chain lube war. I'm sorry. I hope I can at least find an answer
before the war gets out of hand. 😉

Who can suggest a chain lube that is reasonably effective and keeps the chain clean and pretty?
I've upgraded most of the drivetrain on my fair-weather pretty bike; and as shallow as this is, I
love how it looks with the clean, brand new, factory-lubed chain and the shiny chainrings and
sprockets.

Seeing the bike shining and pretty makes me want to ride when I might otherwise want to do
something else. The Wipperman nickel plated chain is a nice silver color now, and I'd like to
avoid putting a lube on it that turns black quickly, if such an animal exists.

Meanwhile, I'll continue putting quickly-black lube that I know works well on my mtb and my recently-
realized bad-weather beater.

Run it dry, but be prepared to pedal harder and buy a new chain every ride ;-)

Seriously, any *light* oil will keep the chain looking silver for a month or two. Something thicker
and stickier like engine oil or gearbox oil will attract every piece of cruft within 100 yards.

After oiling the chain (a drop on each pivot), run it through a clean rag several times to
remove any excess and to transfer a thin film to the sideplates. Even light oils shouldn't fling
if you do this.

Zog The Undeniable said:

Rick Onanian wrote:

---8<---

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Who can suggest a chain lube that is reasonably effective and keeps the chain clean and pretty?

----8<----

Quoted message said:

Run it dry, but be prepared to pedal harder and buy a new chain every ride ;-)

---8<---

Slightly better than running it dry is to do what I'm doing at the moment - on a completely clean
chain apply several doses of Finish Line's KryTech. Kind of waxy and clear.

This is good for these +2 to +4 deg C rides that I'm doing in the wet, salt, and grit, where I don't
want all the road goo to stick to the chain.

But the chain's a bit noisier of course.

When the weather gets better I will of course go back to my favourite (Motorex 622 motorcycle chain
lube - gets black and ugly real quick but gives long wear and a quiet chain ;-)

/Robert, in dark and gloomy Sweden.

Rick Onanian said:

Who can suggest a chain lube that is reasonably effective and keeps the chain clean and pretty?
I've upgraded most of the drivetrain on my fair-weather pretty bike; and as shallow as this is, I
love how it looks with the clean, brand new, factory-lubed chain and the shiny chainrings and
sprockets.

I'll second the vote for ProLink for a fair-weather bike. I've found it to be a reasonable
compromise between longevity and cleanliness on my only-on-dry-pavement bike.

ProLink is definitely far cleaner than TriFlow and lasts far longer than KryTech. Smells
awful, but hey!

I use Triflow on my rain bikes. It gets black almost immediately but lasts, by comparison,
seemingly forever.

I tried a bottle's worth of KryTech when I got the fair-weather bike. It was *very* clean, but
squeaking within 40 miles. To give KryTech and other waxy lubricants even a ghost of a chance, apply
hot to improve penetration - I boil a tub of water and sit the lube bottle in it for a while. Even
better, heat up the (freshly cleaned) chain with a hair drying before lubing. These gyrations helped
slightly, but KryTech never lasted long enough for me to be worth the trouble.

Mark "some compromises are worth it" Janeba

(another unscientific, unfounded, non peer-reviewed, non placebo-effect corrected $0.02 worth....)

After three hours mountain biking in dry dust and mud on Sunday, my friend's chain, lubed with White
Lightning, still looked beautiful, despite muck on the rest of the drivetrain. Not so mine, lubed
with Finish Line. Just as ugly as the rest of the bike. Same conditions. Stayed together the whole
way. He swears that's why he uses White Lightning. No idea about its lubricating properties.....

Neil

Rick Onanian said:

Posting from google groups, since I'm away from home today but unable to resist the urge to post.

This will undoubtedly begin a long chain lube war. I'm sorry. I hope I can at least find an answer
before the war gets out of hand. 😉

Who can suggest a chain lube that is reasonably effective and keeps the chain clean and pretty?
I've upgraded most of the drivetrain on my fair-weather pretty bike; and as shallow as this is, I
love how it looks with the clean, brand new, factory-lubed chain and the shiny chainrings and
sprockets.

Seeing the bike shining and pretty makes me want to ride when I might otherwise want to do
something else. The Wipperman nickel plated chain is a nice silver color now, and I'd like to
avoid putting a lube on it that turns black quickly, if such an animal exists.

Meanwhile, I'll continue putting quickly-black lube that I know works well on my mtb and my recently-
realized bad-weather beater.

Any ideas?

[email hidden] (Rick Onanian) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Posting from google groups, since I'm away from home today but unable to resist the urge to post.

This will undoubtedly begin a long chain lube war. I'm sorry. I hope I can at least find an answer
before the war gets out of hand. 😉

Who can suggest a chain lube that is reasonably effective and keeps the chain clean and pretty?
I've upgraded most of the drivetrain on my fair-weather pretty bike; and as shallow as this is, I
love how it looks with the clean, brand new, factory-lubed chain and the shiny chainrings and
sprockets.

Seeing the bike shining and pretty makes me want to ride when I might otherwise want to do
something else. The Wipperman nickel plated chain is a nice silver color now, and I'd like to
avoid putting a lube on it that turns black quickly, if such an animal exists.

Meanwhile, I'll continue putting quickly-black lube that I know works well on my mtb and my recently-
realized bad-weather beater.

Any ideas?

I've been using Prolink for a couple of years, (6-9K miles), and I love it. It does not hold up in
extended wet conditions, but otherwise is a great lube. I apply a drop to each pin, let it sit for a
bit, apply another drop to each pin, spin the chain through a clean cloth to abosorb the excess, and
go ride. The drive train stays relatively clean, and does not get gunky-chunky. I'm a roadie, so
your dirt riding experience may be different. A dirty chain can be spiffed up by wiping it down with
a clean rag.

A full days riding in the rain will cause the chain to get noisy, so I ususally take it off and
solvent clean it....but I do that with any chain, regardless of lube.

Prolink does have a weird odor, so be carefull not to get it on your hands or clothes...the aroma
will linger for days.

The price is higher than some other lubes, but you use it so sparingly that the ecomony of scale
comes into play.

[email hidden] (Rick Onanian) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Who can suggest a chain lube that is reasonably effective and keeps the chain clean and pretty?
I've upgraded most of the drivetrain on my fair-weather pretty bike; and as shallow as this is, I
love how it looks with the clean, brand new, factory-lubed chain and the shiny chainrings and
sprockets.

Hi, Finish Line Teflon Plus Dry Bicycle Lubricant. The mechanic at my LBS recommended it. I've been
using it on my older bike. The chain has 690 miles on it and looks very good. I can't speak to
whether or not it is quiet, I never thought about it. They do show a picture of a chain, right on
the spray can. I'll be getting a new chain put on* the LeMond, so I have to decide what to use. I
too would like it to stay pretty, but also perform at its best.

* I have $135 in Christmas GCs to burn up at the LBS. I figure a chain, tires, and ???

Life is Good! Jeff

Zog The Undeniable said:

Rick Onanian said:

Posting from google groups, since I'm away from home today but unable to resist the urge to post.

This will undoubtedly begin a long chain lube war. I'm sorry. I hope I can at least find an
answer before the war gets out of hand. 😉

Who can suggest a chain lube that is reasonably effective and keeps the chain clean and pretty?
I've upgraded most of the drivetrain on my fair-weather pretty bike; and as shallow as this is, I
love how it looks with the clean, brand new, factory-lubed chain and the shiny chainrings and
sprockets.

Seeing the bike shining and pretty makes me want to ride when I might otherwise want to do
something else. The Wipperman nickel plated chain is a nice silver color now, and I'd like to
avoid putting a lube on it that turns black quickly, if such an animal exists.

Meanwhile, I'll continue putting quickly-black lube that I know works well on my mtb and my recently-
realized bad-weather beater.

Run it dry, but be prepared to pedal harder and buy a new chain every ride ;-)

Seriously, any *light* oil will keep the chain looking silver for a month or two. Something
thicker and stickier like engine oil or gearbox oil will attract every piece of cruft within
100 yards.

After oiling the chain (a drop on each pivot), run it through a clean rag several times to remove
any excess and to transfer a thin film to the sideplates. Even light oils shouldn't fling if you
do this.

have been testing automatic transmission fluid on my commuter for about a year now. seems to do the
job. chain wearing well, lube stays on well in the wet and, unlike motor or ordinary gear oil,
there's no noticable fling. nice & light too.

jb

"Rick Onanian" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Posting from google groups, since I'm away from home today but unable to resist the urge to post.

This will undoubtedly begin a long chain lube war. I'm sorry. I hope I can at least find an answer
before the war gets out of hand. 😉

Who can suggest a chain lube that is reasonably effective and keeps the chain clean and pretty?
I've upgraded most of the drivetrain on my fair-weather pretty bike; and as shallow as this is, I
love how it looks with the clean, brand new, factory-lubed chain and the shiny chainrings and
sprockets.

Seeing the bike shining and pretty makes me want to ride when I might otherwise want to do
something else. The Wipperman nickel plated chain is a nice silver color now, and I'd like to
avoid putting a lube on it that turns black quickly, if such an animal exists.

Meanwhile, I'll continue putting quickly-black lube that I know works well on my mtb and my recently-
realized bad-weather beater.

Any ideas?
--
Rick Onanian

Just do as many do and get a "vanity bike" to put your "vanity chain lube" on. It'll always look
shiny and pretty because you'll never ride it!

Mark Janeba said:

ProLink is definitely far cleaner than TriFlow and lasts far longer than KryTech. Smells awful,
but hey!

Hmm, is there some convention that chain lube names come in ThreeletterFourletter format?

I use BoeShld, but it probably doesn't keep the chain pretty (I don't care). I also like PenZoil,
whose chief disadvantage is that it doesn't come in a cute little bottle for easily squeezing out
drop by drop.

Rick-<< Who can suggest a chain lube that is reasonably effective and keeps the chain clean and
pretty? >><BR><BR>

Start with a clean, dry chain and try Prolink and we are impressed with a new lube called Purple
Extreme...but start with a clean, dry chain and use SPARINGLY'.....

Peter Chisholm Vecchio's Bicicletteria 1833 Pearl St. Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535 vecchios.comvecchios.comOpen ↗ "Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"

(Rick Onanian) said:

Posting from google groups, since I'm away from home today but unable to resist the urge to post.

This will undoubtedly begin a long chain lube war. I'm sorry. I hope I can at least find an answer
before the war gets out of hand. 😉

Who can suggest a chain lube that is reasonably effective and keeps the chain clean and pretty?
I've upgraded most of the drivetrain on my fair-weather pretty bike; and as shallow as this is, I
love how it looks with the clean, brand new, factory-lubed chain and the shiny chainrings and
sprockets.

Seeing the bike shining and pretty makes me want to ride when I might otherwise want to do
something else. The Wipperman nickel plated chain is a nice silver color now, and I'd like to avoid
putting a lube on it that turns black quickly, if such an animal exists.

Meanwhile, I'll continue putting quickly-black lube that I know works well on my mtb and my recently-
realized bad-weather beater.

Any ideas?

I still hot-wax the chains on my "fair-weather pretty bikes". Years ago I posted a detailed
description of how I do it, still available at:google.com/groups?q=paraffin+chain+group:rec.bicycles.*+author:John+author:Everett&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-
8&oe=UTF-
8&as_drrb=b&as_mind=12&as_minm=5&as_miny=1995&as_maxd=9&as_maxm=2&as_maxy=2004&selm=4t0rgf%24t67%40-
kirin.wwa.com&rnum=2

To the above I'd only add that I've long since given up "breaking chain", having adopted Forster
(nee Craig) Super Links some time ago. I've also gotten over 18,000 miles from a hot-waxed chain,
but should add that this bike was almost never ridden in wet or dirty conditions.

On my not-so-pretty bikes I use White Lightning. :-)

jeverett3<AT>earthlink<DOT>net home.earthlink.net~jeverett3Open ↗

Zog is right. Any light oil will do the job and any oil that works will collect dirt. In days past I
would clean my chain twice each year. Now I clean my chain well, never. I add new oil once a month
and then after two years I throw it away. If you enjoy cleaning chains then great.

There aren't many things in life that I would pass on to clean a grungy bike chain. I hate it. I
have been riding for 40 years. I am now 50 years old and still ride 3000 miles each year. I am 6' 4
and ride at 210 pounds. I have never broken a 9 speed campy chain (I rode one for 5 years) and much
of my riding is mashing big gears up 10 mile grades around my home in Park City UT.

Once and in a while when I flat out and have to touch a really bad chain I will clean it. All I do
is remove the rear wheel wrap the chain stay with something to keep the chain off of it then let it
hang down into a bottle of paint thinner and let it soak. I then brush off as much junk as possible
and soak again. It often takes 3 changes of the paint thinner. Let it sit overnight to dry. Utah is
so dry that moisture is never a problem. Then put the wheel back on and add a light oil and get back
on the road.

No matter how much you hate dealing with bike chains I would not recommend running them dry. I do
believe that special lubs are a wast of money.

"Zog The Undeniable" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Rick Onanian said:

Posting from google groups, since I'm away from home today but unable to resist the urge
to post.

This will undoubtedly begin a long chain lube war. I'm sorry. I hope I can at least find an
answer before the war gets out of hand. 😉

Who can suggest a chain lube that is reasonably effective and keeps the chain clean and pretty?
I've upgraded most of the drivetrain on my fair-weather pretty bike; and as shallow as this is,
I love how it looks with the clean, brand new, factory-lubed chain and the shiny chainrings and
sprockets.

Seeing the bike shining and pretty makes me want to ride when I might otherwise want to do
something else. The Wipperman nickel plated chain is a nice silver color now, and I'd like to
avoid putting a lube on it that turns black quickly, if such an animal exists.

Meanwhile, I'll continue putting quickly-black lube that I know works well on my mtb and my recently-
realized bad-weather beater.

Run it dry, but be prepared to pedal harder and buy a new chain every ride ;-)

Seriously, any *light* oil will keep the chain looking silver for a month or two. Something
thicker and stickier like engine oil or gearbox oil will attract every piece of cruft within
100 yards.

After oiling the chain (a drop on each pivot), run it through a clean rag several times to remove
any excess and to transfer a thin film to the sideplates. Even light oils shouldn't fling if you
do this.

February 9, 2004

Hello All..

Have anyone else tried the combination of Mobil Super One oil mixed in with WD-40 (liquid form)?

Currently, I am mixing the solution in something like 1 part Oil to 3 part WD-40.

The idea here is to use the WD-40 as the carrier agent to get to the places where thicker oils
cannot. In addition, the WD-40 thins out the Mobil 1 for easy application.

I've had great success with the durability of the lube.. 300 to 400 miles per application in normal
road riding conditions.

After application, I wipe off the excess lube.. and again after the first ride or so. After 100
miles or so.. the lube is working "in a zone". That's it.. about 300+ road miles per application.

Much obliged. Nick Lee Reno / Sparks, NV (High desert: elevation 4,400 ft) carless since January
2000 Member of the 5 digit club (10,000+ bicycle miles every year since)

IRD chain - it's black already so no worries!

App

Benjamin Weiner said:

Mark Janeba said:

ProLink is definitely far cleaner than TriFlow and lasts far longer than KryTech. Smells awful,
but hey!

Hmm, is there some convention that chain lube names come in ThreeletterFourletter format?

I use BoeShld, but it probably doesn't keep the chain pretty (I don't care).

Quoted message said:

I also like PenZoil, whose chief disadvantage is that it doesn't come in a cute little bottle for
easily squeezing out drop by drop.

That's why I put my oil into an oil can. It's not "little", but I don't take it with me, since I've
never ridden far enough to have to re-lube during a ride.

--
Benjamin Lewis

Thou hast seen nothing yet. -- Miguel de Cervantes

John Everett said:

On my not-so-pretty bikes I use White Lightning. :-)

I found White Lightning to be completely inadequate in wet conditions, where my chain would start
squeaking after only about 30km. When my chain started rusting I switched to chainsaw bar oil.

--
Benjamin Lewis

Thou hast seen nothing yet. -- Miguel de Cervantes