I have been using Pedro's Ice Wax for a couple of years now and am sick of how it builds up on the cassette. I used to use Finish Line w/Teflon but that was a dirt magnet. Any suggestions out there?
Best chain lubricant
Sun, 04/23/2006 - 10:52am
Sun, 04/23/2006 - 11:36am
#1
have been pretty happy with white lightning
... but my store was out so i tried pedros. thick ... easy to apply -- the well designed container/applicator is a keeper -- but it does gunk stuff up faster than white lightning. also washes out too fast in the rain (water based ... ?).
Any wax-based lube will gum things up -- but it's not too hard to run an old shoelace/length of jute through the cassette to clean it out.
Am also about to try the Finish Line Krytech 'cause it was on special ... but will probably go back to white lightning.
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Also:
http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/lube/
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For those who want to recreate the rationale behind wax-based lubes, melt some paraffin in an old coffee can and drop in a clean chain. Wipe off excess and reinstall chain.
Alternately, to recreate white lightning, try pouring liquid paraffin into a half filled container of lighter fluid (keeps the wax liquid).
I'll keep my ears peeled for the fire trucks ...
Sun, 04/23/2006 - 12:24pm
#2
Slick Willy
Clean and lube at the same time.
Is it the best possible cleaner of everything on the market? No.
Is it the best possible lube? Probably not.
It is, however, a great compromise for apartment dwellers who don't want to take the chain off to clean it. Drip it on, wipe it off.
Similar to ProLink, but better. What do I get out of this? Hopefully the guy stays in business and I continue to use his product.
www.slickwillylube.com (he's having website/new server problems today - still working on it.)
Sun, 04/23/2006 - 3:16pm
#3
I am really partial to Psycho Lube which, AFAIK, is only available at psycholube.com. It's a two part system, with the first part being a cleaning solvent.
I've found that cleaning the chain really well has a drastic effect on how long any lube will last. Even so, with Ice Wax, I'd have to reapply within 100 miles (chain would be squeaking).
With Psycho Lube, my average interval between cleanings is about 800 miles. I've gone as long as 1200 miles before relubing as well as under 500 miles if I got caught in a downpour.
If I get really lazy and just lube without going through the whole rigamarole of cleaning the chain with my Park cleaning tool and then soaking it in a mixture of degreaser and water while I clean the rest of the bike, Psycho Lube won't last even half as long.
10 Sp Wipperman Nickel chains (the cheaper one) last about 5000 to 7000 miles for me (.75 on Park chain tool).
I've never tried it but there are those who swear by a 50/50 mixture of motor oil and mineral spirits. It's certainly the cheapest way to go but has to be applied after every ride. I'm too lazy for that.
Paul
Mon, 04/24/2006 - 1:32pm
#4
the cheap stuff
"""there are those who swear by a 50/50 mixture of motor oil and mineral spirits. It's certainly the cheapest way to go but has to be applied after every ride.""
Not true about the application of this mix. It just needs to be applied about as often as Prolink or other oil-based lube. And applied the same way as Prolink. In fact, Prolink is almost certainly just a mineral spirits/motor oil mixture in a fancy bottle. I think it's about 2:1 spirits to oil.
"
Mon, 04/24/2006 - 10:07am
#5
White Lightning after cleaning with Clean Streak. Not great for rain riding, but I don't do that willingly.
When properly cleaned and lubed with these products you will no longer get chain grease marks on your leg and look like a noob.
Sun, 04/23/2006 - 7:33pm
#6
Chain lubricant
Filippo Berio extra virgin olive oil !!! .. My Grandfather's favorite !!! haah.. Ciao, Tony
Mon, 04/24/2006 - 5:50am
#7
Purple Extreme?
Any experience with Purple Extreme? Only available at Sid's and someplace in Chelsea and online. They claim that it keeps the chain clean like wax based but the chain only needs to be cleaned and re-lubed in 400 miles like regular oil. I have only had it on for 150 miles but so far so good.
Mon, 04/24/2006 - 8:11am
#8
Clean Chain
I've used Purple Extreme. Works well. But the chain must totally be free of previous lubes in order to get the most out of it.
Thu, 04/27/2006 - 8:13pm
#9
Piermont...
Piermont's had it for a year or 2...& samples to try.
