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Chain Lube

Chris OubreChris Oubre
in General Training Discussions

What chain lubricant do you (the team) recommend? What should I look for in a chain lubricant?

Comments

  • Mark MaurerMark Maurer

    I've gone to waxing my chains with Molten Speed wax. The prep takes a little bit of time but I do 3-4 chains at a time and that makes it more efficient. (My wife and I have 5 bikes between us that we use regularly.) Once the chains are prepped it's really easy to take care of them. When they need waxing I just wipe them down to get any dirt off and drop them in the wax. The hot wax cleans and lubes them. I use quick links so it's really easy to take them off and reinstall them. The other nice thing is that the wax doesn't attract dirt so the drive train stays clean.

    When I did lube the chain I used Prolink.

  • Turby WrightTurby Wright

    Like Mark I use the Molten Speed wax. Love it! No more grease on the leg, hands or frame. Get a $12 crock pot at K mart and cook away!

  • bob hillerbob hiller

    I've never tried wax, but I may based on Mark and Turby's comments.  I've been using T-9 from Boeshield.  Works well.  I wipe off chain before most rides and reapply.  If I've ridden in rain or it looks dirty, I clean the chain with that Big Green stuff and water in a chain cleaner.  Then after its dry, I put on the lubricant.  You probably know this, but apply the lube on the inside of the chain.  That's the side that comes in contact with the front rings and rear cogs.  

  • Mark MaurerMark Maurer

    Regarding applying lube, I took an intermediate mechanics class from an old school LBS owner and wrench. He taught us to apply one drop of lube per roller on each side of the roller. It takes a little longer, but it's not as messy overall and his rational is that the lube is right where it needs to be at the friction points between the pin and roller and the sides of the links themselves. After you spin it a few times to work the lube into the rollers then you take a paper towel or shop rag and wipe the chain down to get off any excess lube that's on the outside of the chain. 

  • Dino SartiDino Sarti
    This wax thing is all new to me... I am fascinated! Any insights or pics of it going down?
  • Dave TalloDave Tallo
    I've been using Silca NFS for a few weeks now ... And I'm completely sold. The stuff is as amazing as they claim. Google Silca nfs 12-12-12 for full no.

    For races, I'll keep using Squirt.
  • Mark MaurerMark Maurer
    Dino, what do you want pics of?
  • Dino SartiDino Sarti
    Wanted pics of the process, but.... Never mind... After a while spent on youtube and amazon.com, I am going all in on wax. Seems so cool now. Plus, Mark and Turby are using it. So, you know...
  • Turby WrightTurby Wright

    You'll love it Dino! Check out Molten Speed wax's website. They have detailed instructions there.

  • Brad MarcusBrad Marcus
    Love this wax idea...no more grease - I'm already sold! Question for you waxers: How often do you need to reaply (miles, time)?..and does it need to be reapplied after a good bike washing? Thanks!!
  • Mark MaurerMark Maurer
    It seems to vary and I haven't figured out what the variables are yet, but I normally go about 300-400 miles before rewaxing. But it's very easy then, I wipe the chain down and throw it into the slow cooker. Take it out and hang it up to cool. The quick link makes it easy to take off and put on.
  • Woody FreeseWoody Freese
    I would love to hear from folks who are doing the waxing method (remove chain, into slow-cooker, hang dry, etc...) that may have used White Lightning (or other paraffin-based lubricants? I have used WL for awhile - and like it quite a bit (I also use it on my Speedplay cleats).
    Thoughts?
  • Mark MaurerMark Maurer
    @ Woody, I've never used White Lightning. I seem to remember reading about it thought. Is it a parrafin based liquid lubricant? 
  • Knighton1Knighton1
    According to independent tests performed by friction-facts.com, Molten Speed Wax tested fastest, followed closely by Squirt. I personally use Squirt as it is very easy to apply and reapply. Friction Facts has done many tests on other bicycle related friction points, e.g. pedals, bottom brackets, derailleur pulleys, etc.
  • Dave TalloDave Tallo
    Or olive oil. I think it was number 3 or 4 in the friction facts efficiency study. But that's where you get into questions of longevity ( ... and the limitations of wax .... and how I settled on nfs).

    But no other lubes are as delicious as eevo. Fact.
  • jfields74jfields74

    I'm using molten speed wax and their race powder on my race chains and just normal paraffin wax on my training chains.  I selected them based off the data from Friction Facts.  It's not a quick process at all but every little bit counts.  Plus if you touch your chain, the is very little if any residual grease.  The only negative I've found is the waxing doesn't provide ample protection from water or sweat.  Here are the instructions from molten speed wax.  I have 2 slow cookers, one with the molten speed wax (race chains) and the other with just paraffin wax (training chains).

    https://moltenspeedwax.com/pages/waxing-your-chain

  • Jorge DuqueJorge Duque
    I have been using Pedro's for years. It has always worked great and has extended the life of my components. Only precaution is to wipe after applying.
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