Lubing Your Chain
When I was a kid I rode for years without puting so much as a drop of oil on my chain . . .
But for some reason now, it seems to be something that needs doing just all the damned time . . .
I’ve tried all sorts of lubes, ointment and jollops, but it’s just a constant battle.
But one of the guys on the BikeAbility Instructors’ course I’m attending recommended good old fashioned 3-in-1.
In the last few years, I’ve used more modern, high-tech, teflon-impregnating oil instead, because they “don’t wash out in the rain”. But the experience of my eyes and my ride is that this ain’t necessarily so.
Maybe it’s time to try 3-in-1 again. After all, it was formulated for bicycles way back in 1894. And I’ve a feeling that in all those years that I never once lubed my chain, it’s just what my dad was putting on it when my back was turned.
Hmmmm. What do you use to keep your chain in tip-top, rust-free condition - other than having your dad fix your bike when you’re not looking?
I’m still a huge fan of White Lightning. I’ve found it to work great in all kinds of conditions, including the soaking wet.
Just a quick re-apply on the weekends and all’s good.
White Lightning in the UK is a completely different product - described by my mate Kaptain Von Braun as “tramp juice”. :-p
I use 3-in-1. Works for me
Somebody once recommended chainsaw oil to me. I’ve used it since and it has worked well for me. Before that I used 3-in-1. I think the chainsaw oil lasts longer in the wet. Plus, a litre bottle cost about £5 and will last me forever:-)
I’ve used white lightning (not the tramp juice) on my chain and quite like it in dry conditions. Particularly good on a recumbent as it helps keep your legs clean. However I find it lasts about half a day in wet conditions, so revert to proper oil in winter. Finish line cross country seems good, but it’s quite expensive for a tiny amount.
WD-40 is exceptional in one way. IME it makes a very good job of cleaning your chain. Useless as a lubricant, though.
A famous British bicycle designer of my acquaintance cleans his chain with petrol and recommends 10w40 motor oil as lubricant. But use new oil. As a child I once oiled my chain with what came out of the family car after an oil change. Messy.
The best solution is actually a chain case…
Actually that’s a really good point you’ve made:
NEVER, EVER USE WD40 AS A CHAIN LUBE! EVER!
It’s too thin, and what it effectively does is wash any decent lubricant you have out of your chain, leaving it dry within a couple of miles. It’ll also spray all up your legs while it does so - ideal for making your feet / calves waterproof, but little else!
Oil of Rohloff works best for me.
I’m not a fan of White Lightning especially for mountain biking as it ends up as filthy as any other oil and doesn’t last as long. I typically use Finish Line but will have to try 3 in 1. Good suggestion.
Finish Line Pro-Road for me - supposed to coat the rollers with some ceramic stuff, or summat. 3-in-1 is supposed to be less than optimal, as I recall, too gummy (attracts grit etc more than a less gummy lube).
I use a finish-line dry lube mostly and it’s fine. I’m the other way around - I remember getting a rusty chain as a kid but I don’t get that these days. My one other trick is to wipe the chain after the bike’s been out in the wet. I guess if the water sits there it will make the rust.
Now, getting dirt and grime off the chain and sprockets…how do you guys do THAT???
That first chain can be cleaned right up with an oxalic bath (wood bleach) then lubed with the concoction of your choice. Years ago we used to clean chains in Kerosene, then wash them in soapy water, rinse and dump into melted wax (paraffin in the US) Worked okay for a bit. I currently use Finish Line in a black bottle on my bikes with exposed drive trains. If it has a chain guard/case, I use whatever is in my oil can (typically 5w20) Isn’t 3in1 a vegetable base? I seem to be warned not to use it because it gets gummy. But with something like a chain, I suspect as long as it is oiled is more important than what you oil it with.
Aaron