Magic (not real magic) chain lube for outstanding lasting performance and virtually no wear
- Thread starter DDBB
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smorgasbord
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
This thread might be of interest to you:
The Ultimate Mid-Drive Chain Care Thread
We've got some scattered threads on chain cleaning, lubing, and measuring, but my hope here is to unite the best thinking and experiences from our community into one thread. If you've got some good tips or techniques to share, go right ahead. Cleaning: I did the first deep clean of my newish...
forums.electricbikereview.com
Which not only explains how different chain checkers work, but also has links to these chain lube articles:
Bicycle chain lubricants - explained | BikeGremlin US
Eternal debate in the cycling world: how to lube and maintain a bicycle chain? There are those that seldom notice the drive chain, until it starts creaking really loud, or breaks. There are also those…
Comparative overview of bicycle chain lubricants | BikeGremlin US
This post will offer a comparative overview of bicycle chain lubricants. It will include standard commercialy available lubricants that can be used for lubing bicycle chains, such as chainsaw bar oil…
It had some other links as well, but it appears they've been lost. WebArchive probably has them, if you're truly interested in comparison articles.
Chargeride
Well-Known Member
lube warz
GMA52
Member
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- USA
- City
- Euless
Google search brought up nothing
Gionnirocket
Well-Known Unidentified Member
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- Y. O.
Don't sweat chain lubrication.... It's blown way out of proportion in my opinion. I see flaws in most of the "lab testing" claims and just like dietary supplements, it's all very skewed marketing bs.
I personally have been using Boeshield T9 Chain drip which is a wax suspension.... But most all brands work well enough. I've leaned toward the waxes because they make less of a mess.
Some are geared towards very wet or very dry climates... That would probably be my only other consideration, but my area is middle of the range so nothing to think about.
FWIW, I was accused of using chain checkers that can't measure anything less than .5 of wear.. Not true, I actually have FOUR chain checkers now, one of which will measure the slightest bit of wear. I'm not on here to tell anyone what to do. Just sharing what works well for me. Another thing I've found that I'm sure I'll be crucified for is I'm finding that unless a chain cleaning is very thorough, all it will do is allow grit to penetrate deeper into the chain. I've done some quick chain cleanings with a rag and kerosene and the first few rotations of the chain I can hear the grit. Unless you plan on spending some serious time to be sure all dirt, grit and grime is off of and out of your chain, I think you'd be better off not cleaning it at all!
smorgasbord
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
No, you actually admitted that yourself:
That you NOW, like 6 months later, have 4 (FOUR!) chain checkers shows that you yourself weren't content with the Park Tools checker you previously had.
A photo of your chain checker measuring your chain would go a long way to settling this dispute you refuse to let go.
Gionnirocket
Well-Known Unidentified Member
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- USA
- City
- Y. O.
And please provide current valid certificates from the NIST Office of Weights and Measures and National Council on Weights and Measures verifying your tools are up to the task or you're still full of s*it. 
I'm not posting a pic of my chain checker to only be accused of using it wrong or some other silliness. I kept buying chain checkers because none of them showed any wear. I discovered it's not the checkers. My lube regimen actually works. I started this thread with good intentions, but YOU are the one refusing to let it go..In your mind, it's impossible for someone to find something better than your preconceived views or regimen on chain lube so every time I post, you have to post to call BS. It's actually pretty humorous.
smorgasbord
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
You're not posting because you know they're not capable of showing "the slightest bit of wear" just by their design. So, I take it you're not using the KMC digital checker or the caliper method I outlined in the linked post, above.
The post history proves otherwise. I let it go back in April, six months ago. Then just recently @DDBB came back with more accusations, and I ignored his insults, and responded with links to useful posts and articles.
And then YOU come back complaining about my previous chain checker criticism, now claiming possession of 4 chain checkers, but not confident enough in your usage to post a picture, much less tell us which chain checkers (now plural) you have.
I won't be bullied by someone who makes unsubstantiated claims, refuses to substantiate them, and doesn't even acknowledge the multiple of factors weighing into chain wear. Heck, you haven't even told us what brand/model chain you're using.
smorgasbord
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
The actually funny part is that Maxima themselves recommends against your procedure.
Their wax "needs to be setup on a clean, dry chain" as they state in their videos, not on top of an oily chain.
Their wax "needs to be setup on a clean, dry chain" as they state in their videos, not on top of an oily chain.
smorgasbord
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
LOL, just read the reply from Maxima themselves to the sole comment:
Seems like you've switched your insults to be sarcastic now. Go do some research and I'm sure you'll find the answer.
PCeBiker
No-Hands No-Pedaling No-Credentials
- Region
- Canada
Thank you both for kind words and tips. Much appreciated
Since this bike weighs 84lbs and I have had back surgeries, I am going to have to learn to do as much of the repairs and preventative maintenance as possible
Chain maintenance and lubrication isn't as important on a hub drive ebike as it is on a mid-drive.
A mid-drive ebike has all the power of the motor, plus all the power of the rider going through sprockets and chain.
A hub drive only has the riders input going through the chain and sprockets.
I switched to wax on my hub-drive ebike, including a complete cleaning of the chain beforehand, then used parrafin wax mixed with Teflon and cooked it on the stove.
What I like about the wax is that my chain and sprockets are always clean and grime free.
I don’t have the normal buildup of black greasy crud all over the chain, sprockets and derailleur like I used to have on every bicycle I've had since I was a kid.
I don't get greasy crap all over my hands and pant cuffs like I used to.
I never clean the chain and only wash my e-bike once or twice a year.
I wouldn't care if my chain wears out twice as fast using the wax, just having a clean driveline is worth it to me.
You don't have to cook your chain and make your own wax lube like I did, but a Really Good cleaning of your chain, followed by some sort of chain wax can really help make your life less messy.
I know you've got new tires on the way, and you're going to be dealing with your drive-line, and having clean parts to work on just makes life easier.
PCeBiker
No-Hands No-Pedaling No-Credentials
- Region
- Canada
@DDBB
I remember reading about the guy who invented the parrafin wax method, and the most important thing in the whole process was to have an Absolutely Clean chain to start with.
He even had an Ultrasonic heated bath treatment to get it the extra 2-3% cleaner.
The chain has to be Absolutely clean for the wax to stick.
(it's like finger prints on your brake rotors or bare metal before a paint job.)
I know that @Gionnirocket did like you did, and put his T-9 on top of an oiled chain, and his chain is still kinda messy.
That's the only part I care about, so I cleaned my chain before doing the wax.
I remember reading about the guy who invented the parrafin wax method, and the most important thing in the whole process was to have an Absolutely Clean chain to start with.
He even had an Ultrasonic heated bath treatment to get it the extra 2-3% cleaner.
The chain has to be Absolutely clean for the wax to stick.
(it's like finger prints on your brake rotors or bare metal before a paint job.)
I know that @Gionnirocket did like you did, and put his T-9 on top of an oiled chain, and his chain is still kinda messy.
That's the only part I care about, so I cleaned my chain before doing the wax.
Gionnirocket
Well-Known Unidentified Member
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- USA
- City
- Y. O.
Tru_dat!
My chain is actually getting cleaner with time.
Most all of the wax in a suspension solvent say that they flush out grime and old lubricant in the process... and I'm finding that to be true as the factory coating is all but gone now and the chain is much cleaner than when I started.
+5000mi on the current KMC e8 chain and still not at 0.75. Not bad for a 1000w mid drive and a 75lb bike.
Next new chain I'm going clean from the start just as prescribed by Dr. @PCeBiker! Not that I think it'll make it last longer... but I do want to be closer to god.
