Magic (not real magic) chain lube for outstanding lasting performance and virtually no wear

[PCeBiker]

I just bought a new membrane !!
My old one was starting to leak !!
I think it got holy ??
It went from 12 ppm new to over 40 ppm now.

 

[smorgasbord]

Please put it all in a nice neat spreadsheet and I'll review it

LOL, my link includes a link to a downloadable spreadsheet. But, since you're so kind, helpful and not at all insulting, here's a zip file of the latest, just for you:

might last an additional mile over another.

No, the ZCF guy says there's a 10X difference between the best the worst in his 50-something tests.

 

[smorgasbord]

I thought about wax, but the hassle of taking the chain off and off again, and all the rain and cold, I think it would turn into a hassle. Roadies don't ride in the winter rain.

Sure, if you ride in the clean and dry, then you don't need the sealing properties of wax.
Do note, however, that in ZCF's tests, they don't remove the chain and they don't even clean the chain during the 6,000 kms of test riding simulation. They do add more lubrication, but that's on top of whatever dirt is already in there.

And note that the ZCF tests are done in stages - with wet coming into play only on stage 4. So, you could look at the performance at the end of stage 3 (clean/dry, then dusty, then clean/dry) and decide which of the non-immersive waxes performed the best. For instance, the Effetto Mariposa Flowerpower drip wax is #5 overall, just behind 4 immersive waxes.

Amazon.com

For myself, while I have used wet lubes (The NixFrixShun brand) in the past because I also mostly ride in dry conditions, but I do get exposed to airborne sand and dust, and do get caught in light rain sometimes. The new formulations of drip wax are way easier to use than the traditional immersive waxes, and, except for allowing for drying time, they can be used just like the wet lubes. That is, the wet lubes can be applied right before you ride, while the drip waxes, after working their way into the chain, need to be allowed to dry (hours I assume) before riding. At this point, for me, switching to a drip wax might be making sense, especially if it means less frequent re-lubing.

 

[fooferdoggie]

Sure, if you ride in the clean and dry, then you don't need the sealing properties of wax.
Do note, however, that in ZCF's tests, they don't remove the chain and they don't even clean the chain during the 6,000 kms of test riding simulation. They do add more lubrication, but that's on top of whatever dirt is already in there.

And note that the ZCF tests are done in stages - with wet coming into play only on stage 4. So, you could look at the performance at the end of stage 3 (clean/dry, then dusty, then clean/dry) and decide which of the non-immersive waxes performed the best. For instance, the Effetto Mariposa Flowerpower drip wax is #5 overall, just behind 4 immersive waxes.

Amazon.com

All the wax lubes want overnight drying, but that doesn ot work for me, so it's not practical to try it. I lube before a ride or at work when I get to work.

 

[smorgasbord]

All the wax lubes want overnight drying, but that doesn ot work for me, so it's not practical to try it. I lube before a ride or at work when I get to work.

Yeah, maybe not completely overnight, but 2-3 hours at least does require some changes to procedure and isn't for everyone.

 

[Gionnirocket]

All the wax lubes want overnight drying, but that doesn ot work for me, so it's not practical to try it. I lube before a ride or at work when I get to work.

Boeshield T9 states 2 hours, then wipe down.
But that's eastern standard time.

edit:
Actually overnight is even better

How to use Boeshield T-9 on your bikechain?
Cleaning the chain before you start isn’t necessary, but always better.
T-9 will really penetrate into the smallest parts of your chain so all existing dirt will flush out.
This will be visible the first 2 or 3 times you start using T-9.

Put T-9 on your chain, make sure this is enough to fully penetrate all parts of the chain.
Leave on for at least 2 hours (preferably overnight) to guarantee full penetration.
Afterwards wipe off with a cloth.

I usually do it early in the morning when I set the battery to charge... Then wipe it off before heading out.

 

[GMA52]

I thought you ordered the Rock N Roll Gold? (maybe you ordered that too??)

It says on the label "creates a wet membrane" and I want dry so I went with the T-9.

It's just parrafin wax and a "delivery agent" that evaporates leaving just the wax behind.
It might dissolve some of my hot wax away, but it should replace it with fresh wax.
(that's all complete speculation on my part. I tend to make stuff up. )

I did order 3 bottles of Rock N Roll Gold and ordered one bottle of T9. I will see over time what I eventually prefer.

 

[Gionnirocket]

I did order 3 bottles of Rock N Roll Gold and ordered one bottle of T9. I will see over time what I eventually prefer.

That's a lot of lube.... I might have to get cryogenically preserved to see your test results

 

[DDBB]

The experts say wax based lube is incompatible with wet lubes. I have not found that to be the case but YRMV. Pretty sure most commercially available lubes are far better than no lube and the "best" lube for a bike chain is still a big mystery and will be debated over and over. Be aware I could edit this post at any time unless that is now against the rules or angers certain members

 

[fooferdoggie]

Boeshield T9 states 2 hours, then wipe down.
But that's eastern standard time.

edit:
Actually overnight is even better

I tried it it did not hold up that well to the rain. And it is kinda messy if I remember right, but I may not have let it sit long enough, but it's been a while.

 

[DDBB]

After a rain ride, I re-lube just to be on the safe side. I have never ridden a long distance in the rain though. If I did, I'd be interested on what the experts say is the best lube for riding in the rain. If a standard lube is "gone" after 5mi. of rain riding then it would be nice to know which product(s) last the longest so I wouldn't have to stop and re-lube mid ride. This thread was started about using wet lube followed up by wax lube. When I do this it appears to last longer on the chain than either one by itself. Apparently, the only interest in this technique is to post why it WON'T work.. LOL.. It'd be great if someone else tried it and posted their results. When I first did this it was actually by accident. I thought I was using the wax lube can but instead I had the wet lube can. I sprayed the wet lube on, wiped off the excess and then thought "hey, why not try the wax on top of it?" I then sprayed the wax lube that seemed to form a sort of "shell" on the chain. I liked the results and continue to use this method despite the people saying it doesn't work.

 

[smorgasbord]

When I do this it appears to last longer on the chain than either one by itself.

Are you saying you've actually done 3 tests:
1) Maxima Chain Pro by itself
2) Maxima Chain Wax by itself
3) Both together

And that you've done each on a separate chain on which you've measured chain wear against mileage?
I'm calling BS on that. Again. You're just making comparisons up now.

Oh, maybe you use the Chain Guard with the Chain Wax instead of the Chain Pro with the Chain Wax. As far as I can tell, you haven't specified which of the Maxima Chain Lubes you use as an undercoat to the wax.

 

[fooferdoggie]

After a rain ride, I re-lube just to be on the safe side. I have never ridden a long distance in the rain though. If I did, I'd be interested on what the experts say is the best lube for riding in the rain. If a standard lube is "gone" after 5mi. of rain riding then it would be nice to know which product(s) last the longest so I wouldn't have to stop and re-lube mid ride. This thread was started about using wet lube followed up by wax lube. When I do this it appears to last longer on the chain than either one by itself. Apparently, the only interest in this technique is to post why it WON'T work.. LOL.. It'd be great if someone else tried it and posted their results. When I first did this it was actually by accident. I thought I was using the wax lube can but instead I had the wet lube can. I sprayed the wet lube on, wiped off the excess and then thought "hey, why not try the wax on top of it?" I then sprayed the wax lube that seemed to form a sort of "shell" on the chain. I liked the results and continue to use this method despite the people saying it doesn't work.

I have done 40-mile rides in the rain. But usually it's two 8-mile rides a day on my commute.

 

[Gionnirocket]

I tried it it did not hold up that well to the rain. And it is kinda messy if I remember right, but I may not have let it sit long enough, but it's been a while.

I do know that I have to shorten the interval between lubes in the winter when things are wet and messy outside.
As far as being messy to apply it comes out of the bottle like an oil. Make sure you shake it well beforehand and I keep it in my boiler room which is right next to the room I keep my bike so the bottle is always around 80°f.
I do a full tilt drop per roller so I get into a rhythm of applying a drop and the bottle being upright. Takes maybe 2 minutes. Wait a few hours and then wipe down.
I'm almost due so I may try overnight to see if there is a noticeable difference.

What are you using that you find neater to apply?

 

[GMA52]

The one bottle was Dumonde Tech Classic Original and not T9

 

[DDBB]

I use Maxima chain guard in an aerosol can followed by Maxima chain lube (wax based) also in an aerosol. I never claimed my results were scientific. You've called "BS" on everything I've posted and then accuse me of being insulting? FWIW, I do indeed use the park tools CC2 chain checker which has a .25 hash mark. I also have a park tools 3.2 which is more of a go/no go checker and two other checkers as well. I did not realize one had to post scientific studies for chain lube durability before daring to post here. Again, you don't have to try it and you're convinced it doesn't work so I'm sure you won't. I'm hoping others might try it and be pleasantly surprised. I wasn't expecting the Spanish inquisition

 

[GMA52]

DDBB, thank you for explaining your method. I do not think most require scientific studies to be able to see what is an improvement and what is not. We, at least I, am not needing something to pass military rigorous testing as it is just a bike chain, not a helicopter where important to maintain strict standards due to situation that can get someone killed. We do want things to last longer though with minimal issues. I appreciate your efforts.

 

[DDBB]

I stumbled on it quite by accident but I've been impressed with the results. I've been told the lube and the wax are not compatible, but I don't notice any strange separation or emulsification of the products. Either product alone is probably just fine but wax on top of lube seems to be even better, at least for me. YRMV

 

[GMA52]

I stumbled on it quite by accident but I've been impressed with the results. I've been told the lube and the wax are not compatible, but I don't notice any strange separation or emulsification of the products. Either product alone is probably just fine but wax on top of lube seems to be even better, at least for me. YRMV

What matters is that you are happy with the results. At some point I may try the two products but I have enough to keep me for a bit
There is nothing wrong with someone wanting to do the absolute best with maintaining something properly. That is either going to happen by testing different things (can be costly as I have found with guitar/bass strings LOL) or by someone who has already found what they feel is the best. If you ask 10 people you may get 10 different answers but hopefully might see 2 or 3 that found same results.

 

[Gionnirocket]

The one bottle was Dumonde Tech Classic Original and not T9View attachment 201801

Ahhh.... an aristocrat