commuting oil for the chain

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

just started doing long distance commuting and absolutely amazed at how filthy my bike is getting from city roads. gt85 lube is just no good (surprised that cookson cycles recommended it actually). the thin adsa oil just dries out by the time i get anywhere. i am thinking of going back to using engine oil but i thought i would ask you guys for what you use. i have a brompton, so perhaps the chain drive gets dirtier simply because it is closer to the road?

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

nope i didn't think it was but cooksons said it would be fine as it leaves a layer of ptfe, obviously it's not. engine oil will be a last resort as i reckon city dirt is like fine sand and would stick to engine oil. 3 in 1 is to thin and gets washed off. any other votes for finish line?

 

[Amanda P]

Finish line works well for me, including on a Moulton, where the long cage derailleur runs pretty close to the road.

I also sometimes use a mixture of about one third clean engine oil and two thirds diesel. The diesel makes it "oozy" or "creepy" or something, and it gets inside the rollers well. Diesel on its own is too thin and washes off quickly.

Particularly in winter, washing salt off the chain regularly and re-lubing is helpful.

 

[Dave Davenport]

I've used 'anti-fling' chainsaw oil for years, works out about a 50th of the price of bike specific stuff and seems to do the job a treat.

 

[4F]

This thread could go on for a long time much like any entitled "Helmet or not ?"

Before it does then this is the stuff you want

 

[BentMikey]

GT85 is a lubricant, as is WD40. They're just very thin, so if you use them on your chain you'll be reapplying very often, perhaps every ride, and they won't last at all in the rain.

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

cheers 4f, that looks just the trick.

 

[rh100]

I just use a bog standard bottle of Halfords (sorry) chain oil, was only a couple of quid.

GT85/wd40 etc is ok for pivot points and the such - but I wouldn't use it on the drive gear.

 

[RedBike]

You want either the Finish line dry or the Green 'wet'.

The wet lube (Finishline green) is the toughest. It doesn't wear off or wash off easily. For high mileage rides this is the stuff you want. The main disadvantage is it does pick up dirt and can look black within just a few miles. This is the stuff I use this on the commuter because i'm too lazy to keep re-lubing the chain and I don't really care how dirty it looks.

Dry lube goes on wet but then dries to a paste. It doesn't pick up dirt as quickly as wet lube but it does seem to wear off quicker. I use this on the MTB bike because it makes keeping the chain clean easyier and I don't mind re-applying it frequently.

Wax is used on the best road bike. This stuff flakes off when it gets dirty leaving the chain clean (and unlubricated). It's no good at all for long wet rides but its ideal for a bike that never gets ridden in the rain and is always kept spotless.

 

[Tynan]

the dry is good unless there's water about in which instance it disappears

the wet is good all the time although perhaps it's a bit sticky in the summer

there's a regular isn't there?

if you're using any cycle chain specific oil, I'd say keeping the chain clean and correctly oiled is more important than which oil

 

[Plague]

And there was me thinking I would be fine with a can of gt85! (I really like the smell of that stuff. Anyway...)

All these things I'm learning and I havent even got a bike yet!

 

[Crankarm]

Don't use GT85 as a lube because it is not. Don't use engine oil because it is way to viscous.

You want a light oil more akin to the old 3 in 1 that you can buy for riding in dry weather.

If you ride your bike in all weathers it may be worth it to buy some winter lube, Finishline is good stuff.

Blimey ! I find myself in agreement with Lee .

Don't use "used engine oil" as it is just that - used. It contains some pretty nasty waste products from having done a few thousand miles being pumped around an engine.

For me currently Finish Line Pro Ceramic.

I have thought of rigging up a Scott Oiler and using EP90 gear oil as it is pretty heavy stuff but have never got around to it.

 

[leyton condor]

S**t. I've been using GT85 since time began, admittedly once a week or so when the weather is bad.
I'm going to upgrade to some finish line me thinks.
Will it make me go faster?

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

ok finish line wet sounds better than dry for the brommie. i'll see what evans has in tomorrow, i need to go to get some ergon 2's. mind you i might go to bicycledoc if i get time.

 

[Moodyman]

'Will it make me go faster?'

Yes - no joke. It is a better lube so your chain will run more smoothly over the cassettes & pulleys.