Let's talk about lube-

[Charlie Schuessler]

I strive for this ....
http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2006/giro06/index.php?id=giro_bikes6/IMG_0467
...but since I'm not given an unlimited supply of Campy Record parts....

 

[bruno]

ya'll prolly cain't believe ol' bruno ain't chimed in! can ya? well anyway, i use pedro's regular lube on me rain bike. and pedro's extra dry for me dry day, sunny day super bike. the dry ya have to lube a lot, but it's clean. the other ya have to lube only after a good rain or every so often.

but as you fellers know, a lubed chain makes for happy ridin'! keep them chains slick boys!!!!!! :razz: :beer: :flag:

word.:-o

 

[Npage148]

I use the stuff in the black bottle with the green cap on the road bike. Its some kind of wet lube. Its makes a nasty mess when it rains, but it seems to keep my bike shifting happy and quiet

 

[eatskisleep]

http://froogle.google.com/froogle_cluster?hl=en&hs=0jB&safe=off&rls=DAUS,DAUS:2006-10,DAUS:en&resnum=0&q=white+lightning&spell=1&lmode=online&oid=13596813728489173809

I have a SRAM PC-991 Chain with PG-990 Cassettes and a X.9 rear derailleur.

 

[jplynch019]

White Lightning vs. Krytech

I've been using the White Lightning Original and its been drying out on me. Especially on these hot days. I may go back to using the Krytech which seemed to last a bit longer. Nashbar has it:
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=103&subcategory=1121&brand=&sku=1745&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=

 

[Charlie Schuessler]

White Lightning Lube & SRAM 970 Chains

I've been using White Lightning chain lube on my road bicycle for nearly three years and I am pleased with the product. However, I put effort into keep the chain & drive train clean and lubed. Normally after rides greater than 30-minutes I wipe the chain including the chain rings, the deraileurs and cassette so they are clean. It takes all of five minutes. Then I lubricate the chain, wipe off the excess and hang the bike until I ride it again.

After cycling in wet conditions I remove the chain from the bike and clean with a degreaser including chain rings, the derailleurs and cassette and finish as noted above. It amazes me how wet road spray fouls up the drive train.

In the past I have used "Wet & Dry" lubes on my road bicycle and they lubricate fine, however seem to be leave a film on everything that gets near the drive train components...I prefer to leave that mess to the mountain bike...

 

[andyzee]

I was in Lowes today and saw this lubricant made by Dupont pictured below. It looked like it might be good for bikes. Anyone have any experience with it?

 

[marcski]

I've been using White Lightning chain lube on my road bicycle for nearly three years and I am pleased with the product. However, I put effort into keep the chain & drive train clean and lubed. Normally after rides greater than 30-minutes I wipe the chain including the chain rings, the deraileurs and cassette so they are clean. It takes all of five minutes. Then I lubricate the chain, wipe off the excess and hang the bike until I ride it again.

After cycling in wet conditions I remove the chain from the bike and clean with a degreaser including chain rings, the derailleurs and cassette and finish as noted above. It amazes me how wet road spray fouls up the drive train.

In the past I have used "Wet & Dry" lubes on my road bicycle and they lubricate fine, however seem to be leave a film on everything that gets near the drive train components...I prefer to leave that mess to the mountain bike...

Are you talking about road or mtn bike here, Charlie?

 

[czimborbryan]

As far as WD-40 goes, it is a lubricant and works fairly well because of it's degreasing qualities. Degreaser doens't mean that it removes lubricant, it means that it removes gunk. It's water repellent qualities makes it good at shedding mud, but not so good with collecting sands. From my experience, it works better than dry lubes in muddy conditions, but not as good in sandy conditions.

3-in-1 lube is also good if you don't mind using it every time before you ride, but the chain should also be cleaned between rides. I've noticed that it holds up very well under most conditions.

Graphite lock lube also works well.

There is another lube called "Slipit" that has got to be the most slippery substance on earth. It's like black ice. It sprays on wet and dries with a super-slippery film and it's very thin so it gets into the tightest spots. I used it on RC cars that made the industry techies turn their heads at a nationals race. When I got the stuff on my fingers I had a tough time picking stuff up. I haven't used it on a chain yet, but now that I'm thinking of it, I will try it this spring.

I've tried combinations of lubes. Graphite and Slipit works well as a base-layer and so does WD-40. I usually use the 3-in-1 as the second layer.

 

[TreeLine]

I also use white lightning and have been for the past 2 seasons, even though last year was my only serious season, I felt that it held up fine. I def prefer dry lubes over wet lube. I def stay away from WD40 when it comes to my road bike, it collect so much dirt so quickly and before you know it, nothing is working well and eveything is getting gunked and worn.

 

[Charlie Schuessler]

Are you talking about road or mtn bike here, Charlie?

The topic stated was about road chains, for my MTB chain I use wet lube however I still wipe & lube after each use and thoroughly clean it after a four hours of riding time...

 

[czimborbryan]

My bad - I was talking about mountain bike chains.

I suppose wet lubes wouldn't be necessary for most road conditions, unless you couldn't steer very well and ended up off-roading it alot or live in Seattle.

 

[goldsbar]

I use home lube - do a search on mtbr.com forums. I can't remember exactly how I made it but it's something like 3 or 4 to 1 ratio of motor oil and paint thinner/solvent. Drip it on each link (I use a baby bottle), spin the chain a few times and wipe clean. Lasts a long time on my road bike. Nothing lasts that long on my mountain bike.

For the record, I used WD-40 for years with no ill effects. Cheap and simple. Problem is, it gets everywhere and attracts lots of dirt if you don't wipe it all off.

Grime trick - buy some of those cheap latex gloves they use in hospitals.