Chain lube

On Mon, 29 Nov 2004 01:27:21 GMT, Jim <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

What is the best lube for a new chain. I have been told to use a product
called white lightning. I am getting a new bike and would like to start
off properly with it.

General info:

http://draco.acs.uci.edu/rbfaq/FAQ/8d.2.html

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/chains.html

Previous discussions:

http://www.google.com/groups?q=chain+lubrication+group:rec.bicycles.tech&hl=en

alternate URL for Google search above:

http://tinyurl.com/3nbop

Reader's Digest Condensed Answer:

If you don't mind grimy chains that make a mess of whatever they
touch, motor oil is cheap and works well. If you can't put up with
the greasy glop, there are less egregious lubes available at bike
shops for a higher price. Opinions about the effectiveness of each
type of lube (and the application and/or cleaning regimes required or
preferred) varies wildly from user to user. Remember that chains are
(with a few exceptions) a relatively cheap expendable component whose
life expectancy is finite even when lubed well and often; it may not
make sense to spend a lot of time and effort to get (perhaps much less
than) twice as much life from a chain that costs under $10 to replace.
--
Typoes are a feature, not a bug.
Some gardening required to reply via email.
Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.

Werehatrack said:

Remember that chains are
(with a few exceptions) a relatively cheap expendable component whose
life expectancy is finite even when lubed well and often; it may not
make sense to spend a lot of time and effort to get (perhaps much less
than) twice as much life from a chain that costs under $10 to replace.

I concur wholeheartedly, but am curious where and what type of chain you are
able to find for under $10? Just under 15 bucks is the lowest I've been
able to find for 8 or 9 speed chains lately.

Tom

tcmedara said:

Werehatrack said:

Remember that chains are
(with a few exceptions) a relatively cheap expendable component whose
life expectancy is finite even when lubed well and often; it may not
make sense to spend a lot of time and effort to get (perhaps much less
than) twice as much life from a chain that costs under $10 to replace.

I concur wholeheartedly, but am curious where and what type of chain you are
able to find for under $10? Just under 15 bucks is the lowest I've been
able to find for 8 or 9 speed chains lately.

I recently scored a box of SRAM PC-59 chains on eBay for about $7/chain.
No quick links included, but I've got extras. Since I ride a
recumbent, I need 2-3 chains for a "complete."

--
Mark Chandler
Superior, CO
http://www.MileHighSkates.com

tcmedara said:

Werehatrack said:

Remember that chains are
(with a few exceptions) a relatively cheap expendable component whose
life expectancy is finite even when lubed well and often; it may not
make sense to spend a lot of time and effort to get (perhaps much less
than) twice as much life from a chain that costs under $10 to replace.

I concur wholeheartedly, but am curious where and what type of chain you are
able to find for under $10? Just under 15 bucks is the lowest I've been
able to find for 8 or 9 speed chains lately.

I watch for deals on the PC48; regular price at REI is just $12, which
I'll pay in a pinch. When I can't get those cheap enough, I grab
Shimano chains on eBay for $5 to $7 plus shipping, which generally
works out to about $7 to $9 per, if multiples are bought at one time.
--
Typoes are a feature, not a bug.
Some gardening required to reply via email.
Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.

tcmedara said:

Werehatrack said:

Remember that chains are
(with a few exceptions) a relatively cheap expendable component whose
life expectancy is finite even when lubed well and often; it may not
make sense to spend a lot of time and effort to get (perhaps much less
than) twice as much life from a chain that costs under $10 to replace.

I concur wholeheartedly, but am curious where and what type of chain you are
able to find for under $10? Just under 15 bucks is the lowest I've been
able to find for 8 or 9 speed chains lately.

Okay, so make it "...may cost under $15 to replace." The logic still
works.
--
Typoes are a feature, not a bug.
Some gardening required to reply via email.
Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.

Jim says...

Quoted message said:

What is the best lube for a new chain. I have been told to use a product
called white lightning. I am getting a new bike and would like to start
off properly with it.

Thanks for any input

Jim

A much discussed topic. I like ProLink Gold found at bike shops. Motor
oil is a good and cheap lube, but is very messy, as already mentioned.
White Lightning isn't in the highest favor around here and IME it isn't
the greatest lube. Its claim to fame is that it attracts less dirt than
other lubes, but you should know that any lube will attract dirt. Of
course, now you get to ask the most contentious question of all: how do
you clean a chain? Hehehe...

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

Quoted message said:

What is the best lube for a new chain. I have been told to use a product
called white lightning. I am getting a new bike and would like to start
off properly with it.

White Lightning isn't bad for off-road, which is what it was designed for.
Off-road riding is much grittier, so having a lube that grit doesn't stick
to helps lower wear rates. Drivetrains still wear out fast than on road
bikes. White Lightning otherwise is a mediocre lube, washed off with the
slightest moisture, and barely surviving a 50 mile (road) ride. Lubes
aren't worth obsessing over, I've tried oils, waxes and "treatments", minor
pro's & con's, but nothing that'll change your life.

RE/

Quoted message said:

What is the best lube for a new chain. I have been told to use a product
called white lightning.

One thing about White Lightning is that WL's instructions advise completely
removing any existing lube from the chain before using WL. This could conflict
with some chain mfr's admonitions not to remove the factory-applied lub. SRAM
for instance.

I've been using something calle ProLink. With the little tub stuck in the
dispenser, it's pretty painless to put a drop on each link. After oiling, I
wipe the outside of the chain a few times.

I used White Lightning for awhile, but my take on ProLink is that the
cleanliness factor, while not exactly a wash, is good enough with ProLink...and
the persistance of the lube in rain is much, much better.
--
PeteCresswell

In article <[email hidden]>, Jim

Quoted message said:

What is the best lube for a new chain. I have been told to use a product
called white lightning. I am getting a new bike and would like to start
off properly with it.

Thanks for any input

When the chain is new it is already lubricated. Leave it alone at first.

Tom Gibb <[email hidden]>

Jim asks-<< What is the best lube for a new chain. I have been told to use a
product
called white lightning. I am getting a new bike and would like to start
off properly with it. >><BR><BR>

I say-anything BUT white lightening. Very gooky, makes for some nice waxey mud.
Clean the new chain and then use Prolink, my rec.

Peter Chisholm
Vecchio's Bicicletteria
1833 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535
http://www.vecchios.com
"Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"

Stay away from White Lightning! I used it for several years, and
although I personally was happy with its performance:

1. I avoided riding in the rain (unless I got caught out); bikes were
always stored inside

2. Although there was no measurable chain wear ("stretch"😉 when I
replaced my chains (a 3000-mile routine), it does leave a very heavy,
hard, and thick deposit on the cogs, chain rings, and pulleys. This is
NOT an easy clean!

3. Big bottles of White Lightning are a big waste. They eventually
precipitate (especially "Race Day"😉. Once this happens, it is
absolutely useless! Throw it away, even if it doesn't clog the bottle.

I've re-considered ProLink and am far more satisfied with it than I was
several years ago.

Jim said:

What is the best lube for a new chain. I have been told to use a product
called white lightning. I am getting a new bike and would like to start
off properly with it.

Thanks for any input

Jim

I find Parrafin ("candle wax"😉 works best for my needs. But it can be a
hassle to get on right.

http://geocities.com/czcorner/tech3.html

- -

"May you have the wind at your back.
And a really low gear for the hills!"

Chris Zacho ~ "Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"

Chris'Z Corner
http://www.geocities.com/czcorner