madpensioner
Über Member
does it mater what lube you use - wet or dry ?
Thankyou for the advice - i did use the wet lube - but the rear wheel became dirty no matter how much i wiped - so following your advice i think i will use dry lube.IME nothing makes much difference to chain life, whichever lube you choose.
Ive tried the following...
Bike specific dry lube. Modestly expensive, chain stays reasonably clean1, it doesnt seem to clag up as much as other lubes.
Engine oil, cheap if you happen to have some lying around, but sprays a lot, your wheel can get filthy. Wipe wipe wipe...and keep wiping to reduce spray. Its messy.
Chainsaw oil...im currently trying some Screwfix stuff, circa £4 a litre, flings far less, wheel is cleaner but it still does fling a bit, perhaps I didnt wipe enough after application.
Silicone or teflon based lubes in aerosols, tried em, chain stays clearner, quick and easy to use... but expensive.
whatever you use...wipe wipe wipe, never stop wiping.
Silicone spray very cheap, there's loads at workIME nothing makes much difference to chain life, whichever lube you choose.
Ive tried the following...
Bike specific dry lube. Modestly expensive, chain stays reasonably clean1, it doesnt seem to clag up as much as other lubes.
Engine oil, cheap if you happen to have some lying around, but sprays a lot, your wheel can get filthy. Wipe wipe wipe...and keep wiping to reduce spray. Its messy.
Chainsaw oil...im currently trying some Screwfix stuff, circa £4 a litre, flings far less, wheel is cleaner but it still does fling a bit, perhaps I didnt wipe enough after application.
Silicone or teflon based lubes in aerosols, tried em, chain stays clearner, quick and easy to use... but expensive.
whatever you use...wipe wipe wipe, never stop wiping.
I assumed "squirt lube" would be a much dodgier google search than it turned out to be.It depends on what you want, the heavier wet lubes and chainsaw oil etc will last far longer, and is better in wet rainy conditions. but a chain isn't a mistress, dirty isn't good, so I prefer to use a dry lube, "Squirt" is my current favourite.
Whatever you use, apply regularly and wipe off excess. Lots of wiping, you only need lube on the rollers bit, not on the outside of the plates.
And don't use degreaser, it just strips out lube from where you need it, and you the struggle to get it back in there.