Is there a consensus as to the best bicycle chain lubricant? I found that, on my chain drive motorcycles, gear oil 80w-90 worked. Would it also work on a modern bicycle chain? My 45 year old CCM has survived on gear oil also. Since I've order the Rad Rover I am trying to get up to speed as my last motorcycle was shaft drive and did not require chain lube... Thanks.
Chain lube?
- Thread starter Gordoh
- Start date
fooferdoggie
Well-Known Member
depends on how often you want to clean the chain and how often you maintain it. I don't want a lot of crap on the chain so a more dry lube is in order. been using rock and roll lube it does not seem to attract much gunk and will do several rain runs.
christob
Well-Known Member
In a word, no; there is no consensus I've ever found. 
Seriously, there are many threads posted here over the years, offering many different recommendations, "swear by this" testimonials, personal experiences both good & bad, etc. Just like "What's the best ebike out there?" - there is no single, right answer...
{My personal input - I use Rock n Roll Gold as well (rear-hub drive here) but I don't fuss much with my chain at all; perhaps a couple cleanings a year; last chain went about 6,500 miles before showing slight stretch, but no wear on cassette.}
Seriously, there are many threads posted here over the years, offering many different recommendations, "swear by this" testimonials, personal experiences both good & bad, etc. Just like "What's the best ebike out there?" - there is no single, right answer...
{My personal input - I use Rock n Roll Gold as well (rear-hub drive here) but I don't fuss much with my chain at all; perhaps a couple cleanings a year; last chain went about 6,500 miles before showing slight stretch, but no wear on cassette.}
stanmiller
Active Member
I've used the Roll Gold as well. Good stuff.
Currently using Dupont's Chainsaver which is also a dry type lube.
https://www.amazon.com/DuPont-Chain-Saver-Self-Cleaning-Lubricant-14-Ounce/dp/B00D3G6FD4/
Another popular one is Finishline
Currently using Dupont's Chainsaver which is also a dry type lube.
https://www.amazon.com/DuPont-Chain-Saver-Self-Cleaning-Lubricant-14-Ounce/dp/B00D3G6FD4/
Another popular one is Finishline
fooferdoggie
Well-Known Member
finish line dry sure does not hold up in the rain. maybe a hour or so. the rock and roll gold got me 3 to 4 hours. I have their blue coming today to test. the finish line wet holds up but attracts a lot of gunk.
Yamahonian
Active Member
I use muc off ebike wet lube in the winter and dry in the summer
FlatSix911
Well-Known Member
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Has anyone here ever used gear oil as a chain lube? Good or bad results? I used to change the gear oil (80W-90) in my old Beemer's gear-box, rear-end and drive shaft and now have about 6 litres of the stuff and no Beemer, so I was considering using it on my new Rad Rover's chain... Bad idea?
fooferdoggie
Well-Known Member
its oil it would work but will make a mess of your drive chain and attract dirt. overall it will create more work then anything else.
rich c
Well-Known Member
Not to mention the smell. 80w-90 has a smell you won't forget!
fooferdoggie
Well-Known Member
yep I don't really like triflow either. what I like about the rock and roll is it has a solvent in it so it helps clean the chain each time you use it.
goldconch
Active Member
A dab of "Super Lube" w PTFE (the artist formerly known as Teflon).
https://www.amazon.com/Super-Lube-9...1_3?keywords=super+lube&qid=1581442528&sr=8-3
https://www.amazon.com/Super-Lube-9...1_3?keywords=super+lube&qid=1581442528&sr=8-3
Browneye
Well-Known Member
WD40 to clean it, then triflow and wipe down.
We've been using WD for MC chains for a bazillion years, but a more hi-tack grease or wax type chain lube to prevent fling. Some roadbikes used a drip-type 'oiler'.
There were plenty of hardcore riders that didn't believe in doing anything for an o-ring chain - and they got nearly the mileage, but then when a MC gets a new chain it gets new sprockets too.
Triflow is cheap and works great. Surely there are some fancy new-fangled lubes for lots of $$ that do the same thing.
Anything with a solvent that dries and is more wax-based has less adhesion for dust, but you pay for that technology.
We've been using WD for MC chains for a bazillion years, but a more hi-tack grease or wax type chain lube to prevent fling. Some roadbikes used a drip-type 'oiler'.
There were plenty of hardcore riders that didn't believe in doing anything for an o-ring chain - and they got nearly the mileage, but then when a MC gets a new chain it gets new sprockets too.
Triflow is cheap and works great. Surely there are some fancy new-fangled lubes for lots of $$ that do the same thing.
Anything with a solvent that dries and is more wax-based has less adhesion for dust, but you pay for that technology.
steve mercier
Well-Known Member
SQUIRT is a wax based lube that is by far the best I have used. Less messy and better for the environment too. Read these instructions. https://www.squirtcyclingproducts.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/SquirtChainLube-HowTo-RevB.pdf
christob
Well-Known Member
@steve mercier -- do you reapply every 4-6 riding hours? Or can you go further between lubes?
steve mercier
Well-Known Member
HI , yes I put it on about every 75-150 km but I tend to believe in erring on the side of over- lubing rather than under- lubing, so you could probably go longer between applications. I really like this product because I do not need to use my giant can of WD40 any more. I just hose off the bike chain when I get back from a ride. Then I let it dry it off and apply the Squirt. With Squirt I notice that much less muck and sand sticks to the chain than with other products such as Finish line or Triflow (especially the wet versions) after a wet gritty trail ride. Also I live half a block from a fish bearing river so I am glad to use this greener( biodegradeable and solvent free ) method. I no longer feel the need to use my Park tool chain scrubber at all!
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