Rock n Roll

hubcap

I've been using the Gold version of Rock n Roll's excellent chain lube but now it's run out. So as Winter is now on the way I was thinking of trying their Extreme version to see if stays on for longer, has anyone tried both versions and did you notice any difference between the two?
Cheers!

ugo.santalucia

the longer it stays on, the more filth it collects... use any oil and wipe frequently... all these beauty salon products make no sense at all

hubcap

I wouldn't say it was a 'beauty salon' product as you describe it....have you actually tried it yourself?

ugo.santalucia

15 pounds for a bit of lubricant is salon prices... do you pay 15 pounds for a shampoo? That's what they cost in a salon...
I use whatever I have at hand 3in1 normally, at the moment I am using the leftovers of a tin of diesel engine oil. I have never had a broken chain, I have never had a chain lasting less than normal... in other words I have never felt under-lubed

Lubrication is an issue when you throw in high temperature and tight tolerances in the equation... for bicycles anything does the job... infact you can ride without lubricant and all that happens is that the chain wears quicker and it makes a squeaky noise... try running an engine without oil...

hubcap

So you reckon there is no difference to how long a chain stays clean or how quickly it wears no matter what type of oil you use to lubricate it?

Do you not find that running a chain with a thicker oil attracts more muck and creates a black paste on the chain and in the rollers?

ugo.santalucia

Hubcap wrote:

So you reckon there is no difference to how long a chain stays clean or how quickly it wears no matter what type of oil you use to lubricate it?

Do you not find that running a chain with a thicker oil attracts more muck and creates a black paste on the chain and in the rollers?

Not really no...
What really makes a difference is if you wipe off the muck and reapply fresh lubricant frequently. All these teflon based lubricants promise the earth but they don't really do much more than a cheap oil
I have tried all sorts of ways to clean the chain, but really an old rag is the least invasive way and it does a good job

hubcap

What about the actual moving parts of the chain on the inside, do you do anything to clean them, surely wiping with a rag doesn't clean in there?

ugo.santalucia

As the chain rolls, the teeth should push that muck out... some leftovers are inevitable, but it's a chain exposed to the elements, you can't expect it to be spotless. For a deeper clean you can flush a bit of WD40 as you wipe, but WD40 isn't cheap either and frankly OTT. I do use WD40 after a particularly filthy ride, but normally it's rag only.

Bear in mind a 10 speed chain will last 3000 miles whether you keep it spotless or not, you can't extend the life, you can only shorten it by gross neglect

hubcap

Yeah I agree, I don't expect it to be spotless. I'm not really looking to extend chain life, but I do think the chain runs much quieter and shifts more smoothly when cleaned with rock n roll.

Maybe I'll give some generic oil a go before investing in more rock n roll as it is quite expensive, what with being a boutique product after all

mfin

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-ptfe-dry-lube-100ml/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=base&utm_campaign=uk&utm_content=Shimano-Shimano_PTFE_Dry_Lube_100ml

I use that and I use Purple Extreme on the Winter Bike.

...Rock n Roll do make that Cable Magic stuff, now, that is a damn good product!!