Chain lubricant ?

[Steady Spin]

Bought another bottle of Squirt ebike lube. It is for me acoustic bike. 

I use the ebike one because i put down so many watts boet!

[Andrew Buckley]

+1 for Squirt, but...

It is best to lube the chain well before you ride, so that it has time to dry.  The night before is ideal.

You only need to use a very small amount of lube.

[ChrisF]

23 hours ago, Steady Spin said:

Bought another bottle of Squirt ebike lube. It is for me acoustic bike. 

I use the ebike one because i put down so many watts boet!

 

sorry bud ... Squirt e-bike lube is watered down for those with weak knees ....

 

 

you need to buy the original Squirt for strong riders.

 

 

not to worry, you can donate that e.bike stuff to me

Edited August 21, 2022 by ChrisF

[Spinnekop]

There is a bit of HEAVY science involved with chain lube.

If you are really interested, go dig some here:

https://cyclingtips.com/2018/03/fast-chain-lube-that-saves-you-money/

https://zerofrictioncycling.com.au/

https://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=139970&hilit=chain+lubricant

Friction loss. 
How long it lasts on the chain.
How long the chain lasts
How dirty the chain gets.
Wet vs dry conditions.

It's a big worm hole with pros and cons from various lubes.   

[Bub Marley]

Squirt is good just dont use it indoors. Makes a complete mess of your floors.

[Spinnekop]

Just now, Spinnekop said:

There is a bit of HEAVY science involved with chain lube.

If you are really interested, go dig some here:

https://cyclingtips.com/2018/03/fast-chain-lube-that-saves-you-money/

https://zerofrictioncycling.com.au/

https://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=139970&hilit=chain+lubricant

Friction loss. 
How long it lasts on the chain.
How long the chain lasts
How dirty the chain gets.
Wet vs dry conditions.

It's a big worm hole with pros and cons from various lubes.   

I've pretty much tried everything and anything.  Expensive.  Cheap.  

For me personally:

1. I hate dirt - so I do dry chain lube  (the motor oils are VERY dirty and tend to splatter if you go high cadence and you ALWAYS put too much on because its just runny)
2. I hate spending time on the bike (although I always do spend loads of time)  - so I stay away from squirt and Rock n Roll gold (the last about 150-200km for me)
3. I don't like a squeak on my bike 

For me, I use Smoove or Rohloff.  Runs clean.  Apply once every week and last around 300-400km.

Also, the chains tend to last longer when running clean without clog and grime.

[117]

Geez bruu's... 

By the time this thread comes to a concensus, the banana would have deteriated enough to be used as lube anyway

Thats what the gym boooiktjies use. They're so slippery they slide upstairs

 

[splat]

36 minutes ago, Spinnekop said:

I've pretty much tried everything and anything.  Expensive.  Cheap.  

For me personally:

1. I hate dirt - so I do dry chain lube  (the motor oils are VERY dirty and tend to splatter if you go high cadence and you ALWAYS put too much on because its just runny)
2. I hate spending time on the bike (although I always do spend loads of time)  - so I stay away from squirt and Rock n Roll gold (the last about 150-200km for me)
3. I don't like a squeak on my bike 

For me, I use Smoove or Rohloff.  Runs clean.  Apply once every week and last around 300-400km.

Also, the chains tend to last longer when running clean without clog and grime.

Are these your experiences for your road bike ?

[Spinnekop]

17 minutes ago, splat said:

Are these your experiences for your road bike ?

Ah yes....forgot to mention.
Yes, correct.  Road bike.  99% dry riding weather.  

For the MTB and the Gravel bike I go to Smoove.  It just lasts longer (if applied correctly) than the other stuff that I have tried.
Again........for the MTB, most riding done in dry dusty environment.  

[stephenplumb]

I see that no-one has yet mentioned paraffin wax, melted in your fav frying pan, and then the chain dipped into that? Was quote popular for roadies back in the day? 

Not sure if this is a a thing anymore and would not be popular on the domestic front. I would just use any commercial chain lube from a cycling shop but stay away from motor oils, and products not designed for this use case.

 

As mentioned, Squirt is supporting local. I am not sure if there are other local competitors?

[ChrisF]

44 minutes ago, Spinnekop said:

Ah yes....forgot to mention.
Yes, correct.  Road bike.  99% dry riding weather.  

For the MTB and the Gravel bike I go to Smoove.  It just lasts longer (if applied correctly) than the other stuff that I have tried.
Again........for the MTB, most riding done in dry dusty environment.  

 

I used Smoove for many years, still use on the laaties bike.

 

It works for 95% of our riding.

 

BUT ... late summer when the trail dust gets reaaly bad it dries out during long rides !!  Had this happen once too often, and switched to other lubes.  Finally settled on Squirt.

 

I still prefer the way Smoove is applied.  But the wax based lubes last longer.