Chain Wax, Oil…..or ‘Revolube’ !

[FishFright]

Yes !

Performance is ace. The available time needed for a ‘refresh clean’ every few rides isn’t. My Silver chain went Black within 100 miles. It must attract / hold the dirt……

Same thing happened when first used it but it was not a on new chain and the black gunk got less and less over time.

 

[sevenfourate]

Same thing happened when first used it but it was not a on new chain and the black gunk got less and less over time.

I’ve probably used it to lube 15 times on my Carrera. Originally with a used chain. Then 4 or 5 times recently on a new chain. Always clearing off old before applying new.

It’s not horrific. And again - it’s the best Oil-based lube I’ve used. Like many though - I’m searching for my Holy Grail….

 

[Sea of vapours]

it’s the best Oil-based lube I’ve used.

Have you tried Silca's Synergetic? Not as good as immersive waxing, but comfortably the best 'oil' I ever used.

 

[sevenfourate]

Have you tried Silca's Synergetic? Not as good as immersive waxing, but comfortably the best 'oil' I ever used.

No ! And now off to Google it and read up 👍

 

[sevenfourate]

Have you tried Silca's Synergetic? Not as good as immersive waxing, but comfortably the best 'oil' I ever used.

Wow. That gets amazing reviews too. IF Revolube doesn’t cut the Mustard - this will be next. Thanks very much 🙏

As as aside (Aimed at everyone); When Lube instructions say ‘….then wipe off any excess: can this be literally everything not buried deep inside of rollers / outside of pins ?

I think I’m possibly leaving too much on the chain after every re-lube 🤷‍♂️

 

[Milzy]

I’ve found muc off to be the worst one I’ve ever used. Supposed to be ceramic but doesn’t last and gunks up mega fast. I put it on my speed play cleats now as recommended but can’t see it helping.

 

[HLaB]

Squirt wax based lubricant for the win. Clean and easy.

Possibly not for a wet winter commute though, where I would 2nd Finish Line Ceramic wet @fossyant

I use it for winter commutes. It copes fine in the bike cage during the day and waits till I'm home for a wipe down. My commute usually though is only 20mins to the station and 5mins at the other side, and reverse at night. I'd rather have a clean bike/chain for lugging the bike about the the station/train.

 

[Sea of vapours]

When using Synergetic I used to wipe the chain thoroughly, having left it to find its way inside (for a few tens of minutes ideally). And by thoroughly I mean to the point where the chain looked properly clean, though perhaps not /quite/ as shiny as yours pictured above! I don't think you can do it too much, other than in the sense of wasting your time after some point.

 

[scotsbikester]

I'll grant that stripping factory grease from a new chain is a faff but since, at a conservative estimate, a chain will last three years that's something I'll happily put up with for the massive saving in cost of replacement drive chain components.

I've just started immersive waxing. Pretty much the only reason is for cleanliness. But if the drivetrain lasts longer, that's a valuable bonus.

The first chain I bought was "pre-stripped". The place I bought it from charges £12 to do that. I had already bought the slow cooker and got the MSW from the same place that I bought the chain from.

After I'd waxed it and ridden it, I was sure (as much as I could be after only a few miles) that waxing was for me. So I bought a couple more of the same chain, from the same place, but with factory grease on.

I stripped them myself. I don't think I'll bother doing that again. I did it partly because I had plenty of the recommended chemicals already (white spirit and meths) and actually no other need for them. But all the shaking stuff in jam jars business, several times, though not the worst thing in my life, was still a bit time consuming, and my wife wasn't happy with the chemical smell that permeated the place.

These three chains will probably see me out, but if I need more I'll get them pre-stripped if somebody else will do it. Or even pre-waxed.

I agree about the time thing. I did the two new ones, then as a test did the one that was already on the bike again. I think it took me 11 minutes, and that included some experimenting with a couple of techniques. Once I've got the "waxing station" sorted out, with my various bits and pieces in place, this is going to be a 5 minute job, and that's if I just use one chain. Having chains ready to go means it's the time to undo the quick link, take the old chain off, put the new one on, close the quick link. And I'll save the time it used to take me to get the filth off my hands.

It's been nice to come back after a ride, get off the bike, lean it against the (dining room) wall. And go.

 

[sevenfourate]

When using Synergetic I used to wipe the chain thoroughly, having left it to find its way inside (for a few tens of minutes ideally). And by thoroughly I mean to the point where the chain looked properly clean, though perhaps not /quite/ as shiny as yours pictured above! I don't think you can do it too much, other than in the sense of wasting your time after some point.

Interesting. I typically clean off the excess nothing like as thoroughly as that - but understand its the stuff you can't see thats doing all protecting in terms of rollers / pins; where the main / important wear occurs.

Seems highly likely thats the reason i'm suffering from gunking / dirty Jockey-wheels etc; more than any product itself that i've been using........

 

[Sea of vapours]

Seems highly likely thats the reason i'm suffering from gunking / dirty Jockey-wheels etc; more than any product itself that i've been using........

Sounds likely, yes! I never used to get gunked up jockey wheels and never understood why anyone did. I used to just apply light compressive pressure on the jockey wheels when wiping the chain down and they stayed clear of build-up. There's no need for any lubricant on the outside of the chain as it's not moving against the chainwheels or the cassette. Obviously, a layer of gunk will make it quieter, but my chains with Synergetic were quiet; just not as quiet as putting lots of oil on and leaving it to go black ...

If there's no oil, or very little, on the outside, there's nothing for 'dirt' of various sorts to stick to, but it's not completely free of oil so the chain is still protected from water adequately. Plus: looks shiny :-)

 

[sevenfourate]

Sounds likely, yes! I never used to get gunked up jockey wheels and never understood why anyone did. I used to just apply light compressive pressure on the jockey wheels when wiping the chain down and they stayed clear of build-up. There's not need for any lubricant on the outside of the chain as it's not moving against the chainwheels or the cassette. Obviously, a layer of gunk will make it quieter, but my chains with Synergetic were quiet; just not as quiet as putting lots of oil on and leaving it to go black ...

If there's no oil, or very little, on the outside, there's nothing for 'dirt' of various sorts to stick to, but it's not completely free of oil so the chain is still protected from water adequately. Plus: looks shiny :-)

Today I have learned 😉 Thanks for your thoughts. Feeling better in general about where my lubrication regime is. And how it might be changing……

 

[sevenfourate]

Drivetrain on the daily mostly removed and stripped clean. With every single drop of oil based lube gone from chain:

Cassette:

Which now shines like a New Penny 😁

…….and Jockey wheels. Which were removed, cage cleaned and Ti bolts lubed prior to re-fitting:

All ready for the good stuff now:

Two applications in quick succession as per instructions. I shall then go for a short ride once fully cured in a couple of hours. Then apply a 3rd coat probably - which will be left all night by definition.

Apparently the first 3 applications are critical to maximising the effects of the:

“…….industrial-grade, synthetic hydrocarbon complex utilizing a Modified Active Calcium Sulphonate Complex (MACSC). It chemically bonds with metal molecules to form an ultra-thin, microscopic, dry, and transparent self-lubricating protective coating’.

I’m sceptical, hopeful and really interested to see how tomorrow’s ride goes (Sound and gear changes) and looks (Dirt encrusted ?) once back.

 

[C R]

“…….industrial-grade, synthetic hydrocarbon complex utilizing a Modified Active Calcium Sulphonate Complex (MACSC). It chemically bonds with metal molecules to form an ultra-thin, microscopic, dry, and transparent self-lubricating protective coating’.

Please, in the future warn before posting those blurbs, my BS detector went off at full volume and nearly deafened me.

 

[sevenfourate]

^^^We’ll know soon enough……..