Chain, Gears & Wheel Lube - Page 5 - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

06-17-2004, 09:14 AM

tk wrote:
>> Usenet lube wars are very good for keeping your chain operating at
>> peak efficiency.
>
> Anyone using goose fat?

Canadians only.

Bill "poor tip" S.

06-17-2004, 09:16 AM

Ian (remove the antispam)" <ianstock"antispam wrote:
> What's better for regular lubing of chain, hubs, derailleur, etc on a
hybrid
> used mostly for road touring?
>
> A very light spray oil (like WD-40), something heavier (3 in 1 light
machine
> oil), or a heavier grease?

WD-40 too thin. You'd have to apply it every day, I think.

3-in-1 too sticky thick for chains.

Mind you, I defer to the actual experience (if any) of those who use these
lubes.

Triflow is a good choice, I think. If you want something lighter try a dry
lube with teflon (and remember to reapply often and after wet). Dry lubes
are thinner but don't attract as much dirt.

06-17-2004, 09:16 AM

Ian (remove the antispam)" <ianstock"antispam wrote:
> What's better for regular lubing of chain, hubs, derailleur, etc on a
hybrid
> used mostly for road touring?
>
> A very light spray oil (like WD-40), something heavier (3 in 1 light
machine
> oil), or a heavier grease?

WD-40 too thin. You'd have to apply it every day, I think.

3-in-1 too sticky thick for chains.

Mind you, I defer to the actual experience (if any) of those who use these
lubes.

Triflow is a good choice, I think. If you want something lighter try a dry
lube with teflon (and remember to reapply often and after wet). Dry lubes
are thinner but don't attract as much dirt.

06-17-2004, 09:16 AM

Ian (remove the antispam)" <ianstock"antispam wrote:
> What's better for regular lubing of chain, hubs, derailleur, etc on a
hybrid
> used mostly for road touring?
>
> A very light spray oil (like WD-40), something heavier (3 in 1 light
machine
> oil), or a heavier grease?

WD-40 too thin. You'd have to apply it every day, I think.

3-in-1 too sticky thick for chains.

Mind you, I defer to the actual experience (if any) of those who use these
lubes.

Triflow is a good choice, I think. If you want something lighter try a dry
lube with teflon (and remember to reapply often and after wet). Dry lubes
are thinner but don't attract as much dirt.

06-17-2004, 09:16 AM

Ian (remove the antispam)" <ianstock"antispam wrote:
> What's better for regular lubing of chain, hubs, derailleur, etc on a
hybrid
> used mostly for road touring?
>
> A very light spray oil (like WD-40), something heavier (3 in 1 light
machine
> oil), or a heavier grease?

WD-40 too thin. You'd have to apply it every day, I think.

3-in-1 too sticky thick for chains.

Mind you, I defer to the actual experience (if any) of those who use these
lubes.

Triflow is a good choice, I think. If you want something lighter try a dry
lube with teflon (and remember to reapply often and after wet). Dry lubes
are thinner but don't attract as much dirt.

06-17-2004, 09:16 AM

Ian (remove the antispam)" <ianstock"antispam wrote:
> What's better for regular lubing of chain, hubs, derailleur, etc on a
hybrid
> used mostly for road touring?
>
> A very light spray oil (like WD-40), something heavier (3 in 1 light
machine
> oil), or a heavier grease?

WD-40 too thin. You'd have to apply it every day, I think.

3-in-1 too sticky thick for chains.

Mind you, I defer to the actual experience (if any) of those who use these
lubes.

Triflow is a good choice, I think. If you want something lighter try a dry
lube with teflon (and remember to reapply often and after wet). Dry lubes
are thinner but don't attract as much dirt.

06-17-2004, 10:19 AM

On Thu, 17 Jun 2004 11:07:49 -0400, Ian (remove the antispam) wrote:

> I'd like to be able to avoid buying the small overpriced bottle of "chain
> lube" at the bike shop.

Don't avoid it, they're a bargain in the sense that they save you a lot of
hassle.

Don't use spray lube, it's too messy.

Do use a "dry lube" like Triflow or similar bike specific which is
basically teflon and other particles in a petrochem suspension. Get the
kind in the sqeeze bottle. Put a drop on each link, turn the pedals a few
times to distribute, wait a few minutes for the carrier agent to
dissipate, then rub the outside of the chain until your rag does not turn
black, the lube is inside the chain where you want it. A dry clean chain
will stay clean for quite a while and not attract dirt.

On my M/C chain I use gear oil btw, it's cheap and does the trick.

To clean a chain and cassette quickly I make a 50% Simple Green* solution
and spray on my parts while on the bike, I scrub the chain and cassette
with a dish brush adding more simple green when needed. Then I hose the
whole thing off and let sun/air dry before lubing--takes no more than five
minutes.

*Simple Green is the name brand of a non-toxic concentrated cleanser and
de-greaser. I use it for everything around the house. 20:1 for general
cleaning 80:1 for windows, and 2:1 or straight on greasy bits and pieces.

06-17-2004, 10:19 AM

On Thu, 17 Jun 2004 11:07:49 -0400, Ian (remove the antispam) wrote:

> I'd like to be able to avoid buying the small overpriced bottle of "chain
> lube" at the bike shop.

Don't avoid it, they're a bargain in the sense that they save you a lot of
hassle.

Don't use spray lube, it's too messy.

Do use a "dry lube" like Triflow or similar bike specific which is
basically teflon and other particles in a petrochem suspension. Get the
kind in the sqeeze bottle. Put a drop on each link, turn the pedals a few
times to distribute, wait a few minutes for the carrier agent to
dissipate, then rub the outside of the chain until your rag does not turn
black, the lube is inside the chain where you want it. A dry clean chain
will stay clean for quite a while and not attract dirt.

On my M/C chain I use gear oil btw, it's cheap and does the trick.

To clean a chain and cassette quickly I make a 50% Simple Green* solution
and spray on my parts while on the bike, I scrub the chain and cassette
with a dish brush adding more simple green when needed. Then I hose the
whole thing off and let sun/air dry before lubing--takes no more than five
minutes.

*Simple Green is the name brand of a non-toxic concentrated cleanser and
de-greaser. I use it for everything around the house. 20:1 for general
cleaning 80:1 for windows, and 2:1 or straight on greasy bits and pieces.

06-17-2004, 10:19 AM

On Thu, 17 Jun 2004 11:07:49 -0400, Ian (remove the antispam) wrote:

> I'd like to be able to avoid buying the small overpriced bottle of "chain
> lube" at the bike shop.

Don't avoid it, they're a bargain in the sense that they save you a lot of
hassle.

Don't use spray lube, it's too messy.

Do use a "dry lube" like Triflow or similar bike specific which is
basically teflon and other particles in a petrochem suspension. Get the
kind in the sqeeze bottle. Put a drop on each link, turn the pedals a few
times to distribute, wait a few minutes for the carrier agent to
dissipate, then rub the outside of the chain until your rag does not turn
black, the lube is inside the chain where you want it. A dry clean chain
will stay clean for quite a while and not attract dirt.

On my M/C chain I use gear oil btw, it's cheap and does the trick.

To clean a chain and cassette quickly I make a 50% Simple Green* solution
and spray on my parts while on the bike, I scrub the chain and cassette
with a dish brush adding more simple green when needed. Then I hose the
whole thing off and let sun/air dry before lubing--takes no more than five
minutes.

*Simple Green is the name brand of a non-toxic concentrated cleanser and
de-greaser. I use it for everything around the house. 20:1 for general
cleaning 80:1 for windows, and 2:1 or straight on greasy bits and pieces.

06-17-2004, 10:19 AM

On Thu, 17 Jun 2004 11:07:49 -0400, Ian (remove the antispam) wrote:

> I'd like to be able to avoid buying the small overpriced bottle of "chain
> lube" at the bike shop.

Don't avoid it, they're a bargain in the sense that they save you a lot of
hassle.

Don't use spray lube, it's too messy.

Do use a "dry lube" like Triflow or similar bike specific which is
basically teflon and other particles in a petrochem suspension. Get the
kind in the sqeeze bottle. Put a drop on each link, turn the pedals a few
times to distribute, wait a few minutes for the carrier agent to
dissipate, then rub the outside of the chain until your rag does not turn
black, the lube is inside the chain where you want it. A dry clean chain
will stay clean for quite a while and not attract dirt.

On my M/C chain I use gear oil btw, it's cheap and does the trick.

To clean a chain and cassette quickly I make a 50% Simple Green* solution
and spray on my parts while on the bike, I scrub the chain and cassette
with a dish brush adding more simple green when needed. Then I hose the
whole thing off and let sun/air dry before lubing--takes no more than five
minutes.

*Simple Green is the name brand of a non-toxic concentrated cleanser and
de-greaser. I use it for everything around the house. 20:1 for general
cleaning 80:1 for windows, and 2:1 or straight on greasy bits and pieces.