Chain lube - a slippery subject!

dstev55

Evening all,

I'm a bit confused as to what chain lube I should be using. There seems to be conflicting advice depending where you read. I currently just use GT86 to displace any crap off my bike after a ride, wash it then re-apply GT86, but I know there are better products out there that are specifically only a lubricant.

Firstly, wet or dry, what's the differance, and are there any differences on how they are applied?

Secondly, are lubes generally easy to apply without making a mess?

And finally does anyone have any recommendations?

I want to look after the Dura Ace groupset on my new bike. 8)

grenw

Wet if it's wet otherwise use dry. The wet stuff clings on more and doesn't get washed off but it generally is a lot gunkier. A drop on every roller, spin the chain a few times, leave an hour and then wipe off any excess.

I tend to use the Muc off ceramic stuff but everyone has their favourites.

dstev55

Do you not put any on the cassette or chain rings?

Also, do you put some on after every ride?

sungod

don't put gt85 on it, the solvents in it will displace heavier lubricants that do a better job, a properly lubed drive train is protected by the lube, no need to spoil it with gt85

fit a removable link on the chain, then you can easily take it off to clean it, a heavy linen rag is good for wiping off cack

fwiw i use synlube, it's sticky so it stays in place in the interminable wet weather we have, apply every few weeks

if you only ride in the dry you can use a dry lube, but you need to apply it more often

dstev55

sungod wrote:

don't put gt85 on it, the solvents in it will displace heavier lubricants that do a better job, a properly lubed drive train is protected by the lube, no need to spoil it with gt85

fit a removable link on the chain, then you can easily take it off to clean it, a heavy linen rag is good for wiping off cack

fwiw i use synlube, it's sticky so it stays in place in the interminable wet weather we have, apply every few weeks

if you only ride in the dry you can use a dry lube, but you need to apply it more often

OK thanks. So only use GT85 to clean the chain before relubing?

grenw

I only use gt85 after I've washed the bike to disperse water. I only lube the chain, jockey wheels and mech pivots. Not the cassette or rings.

I usually lube every couple of hundred miles in the dry, after pretty much every ride in the wet

imposter2.0

sungod wrote:

don't put gt85 on it, the solvents in it will displace heavier lubricants that do a better job,

Not if the 'heavier' lube is already long gone - let's not baffle the guy with bullshit. GT85 is an ok chain lube, but needs re-applying pretty regularly.

mercia_man

GT85 or WD40 are great for putting on a rag and cleaning your chain. But, as sungod says, they are not suitable for lubricating the chain.

I ran out of my customary Finish Line Wet lube a couple of months ago so experimented with what I had lying around at home. Stihl chainsaw oil and regular car engine oil were both a bit mucky and tended to fling off. But I have had great results with Comma Hypoid EP80 gear oil that I had left over since my motorcycling days in the 80s. It's just the right consistency for a wet lube. It stays in place, doesn't fling off onto your spokes or chainstays and resists water. I would still choose a dry lube for my best bike in summer but EP80 is my new favourite for winter and touring use.