Chain Lube

Good, that's what I thought.

The new Shimano chain on the TRY bike had been sticking to the inside face of the big ring, the grease was thick and sticky, like [censored] on a blanket. I cleaned the excess grease off everything with CRC and a hand cleaning wipe (lint free), now it shifts much better. 😎

Bro Deal said:

All the major bike chain makers use a lubricant. This includes SRAM, Shimano, KMC, and Campy. SRAM in fact uses a excellent lube (Gleitmo 582) made by Fuchs that costs about $25 for 400 ml; you would be hard pressed to find anything better than what SRAM uses and SRAM chains should be used without cleaning. Campy recommends you wipe down their chains and then apply oil. Shimano uses a greasy lube that also needs to be wiped off. Note both of those do not need to be have all the lube cleaned off, they just need to have the excess removed so it does not attract gunk.

D'you think you're telling me something I don't already know? 🙄 I've worked in bike shops and have been an active cyclist for years, and know a bit about it. The lube on new chains is far from optimal for road bikes, but it IS good for avoiding rust and avoiding regular maintenance of your chain...that is, as long as it lasts.

Clean it off if you have a new chain, and apply something else. Period.

I've used various bicycle wet lubes, but bicycle wet lubes don't give you that clean look, like a wax based does, BUT wax based isn't as good at lubricating. Then theres the price.

thebikebarn.com.aubike care.htmOpen ↗

It makes we wonder, what do Harley Davidson riders use? They would want the clean look and motorbike chain lube is got to be cheaper.

mikesbytes said:

I've used various bicycle wet lubes, but bicycle wet lubes don't give you that clean look, like a wax based does, BUT wax based isn't as good at lubricating. Then theres the price.

Nothing is cheaper than homebrew. Just apply, let the solvent evaporate, then wipe your chain with a rag before riding. Because it is so cheap you don't have to be stingy with it, so you can apply it very quickly.

ScottishDan said:

I feel very nerdy at asking this but what chain lube do you guys recommend.

I have been using GT80, but at this time of year, it washes off far too quickly. WD40 tends to pick up too much grit and stuff though.

i occasionally ride on gravel and dirt paths, so i pick up quite a bit of grit and debris. what i do is to thoroughly spray my chain and gears with wd40 (as it is a penetrant not a lubricant). i let it cut thru the grime and drip for a day or so. then, i wipe everything down and use recycled motor oil.

i've got a cheap-o bike. had i spent more $$ on it, i'd follow the mfr recommendations to a "t."

atomship47 said:

what i do is to thoroughly spray my chain and gears with wd40 (as it is a penetrant not a lubricant).

+1

I love how bent out of shape some folks get when you mention WD-40: "That's not a chain lube, don't let it anywhere near your drive train!" Yeah, yeah, simmer down sweetpea & don't get yer panties in a knot. WD-40 is a Water Displacer and a Cleaner; it kicks ass as a chain prep *prior* to lubrication.

For chain lube I've been alternating between original White Lightning, White Lightning Epic, and ProLink. Not sure I have a preference.