Chain Lube

bikerbart

There's loads of chain lubes on the market these days, I've been using GT85 no matter what conditions, though I'm more of a fair weather rider,is that ok or should I be using something more specialised?

explosifpete

gt85 is nice and clean but only last a short while and is intended more for derailers, pedals and the like.
A proper chain lube will do a better job and last longer but needs to be cleaned before reapplying it

cooldad

It's much too thin for chains.
Proper lube does not need to be cleaned off before reapplying. It only needs to lube inside the rollers. Gunk is normally on the outside of the chain and most of it can be wiped off.
The chain needs cleaning when it needs cleaning - there is a difference.

quattrojames

Two days ago I degreased my chain and used a wax lube called Squirt.

I've only been out twice in two days but the chain seems to be running smoother and quieter than ever before, I'm not sure how it will fare come the winter though.

cooldad

I use Squirt all year. Great in the dry, needs reapplying regularly in the wet, but doesn't allow gunk build up like oily lubes and most of what does stick you can just wipe off.

Neal_

Rock N Roll Gold in the dry and Rock N Roll Extreme in the wet. If you follow the instructions properly (i.e put quite a bit on, spin, wipe off) then it cleans and lubes all in one application and keeps the chain very clean. I'd never use anything else again now.

Tall Rubber Duck

Motorex probably make the best quality lubricants available. Used by BMC and Trek World Racing (both have done quite well this year!!) and a whole load of motorsport teams.

I've used their Easy Clean and Wet Lube before and it's far superior to anything else i've tried.

explosifpete

cooldad wrote:

It's much too thin for chains.
Proper lube does not need to be cleaned off before reapplying. It only needs to lube inside the rollers. Gunk is normally on the outside of the chain and most of it can be wiped off.
The chain needs cleaning when it needs cleaning - there is a difference.

Yes it does, otherwise it build up and clogs you jockey wheels and the like up.
Its not hard to clean you chain but some people don't like to do it.

Also when you say it doesn't need to be cleaned but then go on to say "most of it can be wiped off" wiping is cleaning and MOST would imply there is still gunk left on so in fact requires further cleaning.
HAH

cooldad

So you degrease your chain before applying a bit more lube?
I wash my bike regularly and clean the chain, jockey wheels cassette etc when I do. But I get very little build up of gunk using a wax lube (Squirt in this instance.)
By clean I meant a proper degrease. Gunk builds up on the outside of the chain, which doesn't need lubrication. Degreasing removes the lube in the rollers.

And I believe HAH needs an exclamation mark to make a point viz.

Hah!

explosifpete

Yeah I put lube on, ride about 400 miles then degrease it before putting my lube on.

Oh and did you really need to search my previous post to insult me?

cooldad

explosifpete wrote:

Yeah I put lube on, ride about 400 miles then degrease it before putting my lube on.

Oh and did you really need to search my previous post to insult me?

Huh? I'm confused. Where did I insult you?

bikerbart

Now then chaps calm down, calm down.
Thanks to all for the advice. I bit the bullet today & went to my local bike shop & came away with Finish Line Dry Teflon Lube. They didn't have the makes you mentioned but the lad in the shop says this is what he uses and as I am mainly a fair weather rider this was the one for me

DF33

I've always taken the chain off and cleaned it then GT85'd it and left that to dry.
Then lubed and used.
wiped the chain and added a little more lube as necessary from time to time.

When due / necessary I repeat the chain off, clean and GT85 and leave to dry.

Then repeat just wiping and lubing for a few hundred miles.

My chains lat thousands of miles and always have.

I'm convinced it's the cleaning and dry coating of GT that backs up the lubes protection and it's easy and cheap to do. Also only needs doing occasionally.

Just make sure you dry the chain on a radiator etc after cleaning and also it's really dried after the GT85, before applying your lube.

We all have our own ways.