Best Lube - Wet Conditions

[MarkU]

Curious as to what Lube is most popular amongst Hubbers? Specifically in muddy, wet conditions...... So far my vote is with "Finish Line" for extreme conditions, comes in a bottle with a green label.

[jmaccelari]

I prefer the Finish Line wet lube (green). Thug saved my life on the

Sani Transfrontier with some (I forgot to pack mine).

 

I also used Squirt on the Sabie Experience, but I don't think it's

as good. Nothing scientific, purely subjective...

 

I know some people swear by it...

 

[jmaccelari]

 

I also only use wet lube in the wet. As soon as I can I clean the chain and

replace it with a dry lube (Motorex is my poison of choice here).

 

I believe (maybe more knowledgeable Hubbers can help here) that wet

lube in the dry picks up more dust and rubbish and accelerates wear on

the drivechain?  

jmaccelari2009-12-23 22:37:07

[Goodbadugly]

Castrol SLX

[MarkU]

Thanks for the feedback, the Finish Line product is exactly the one i have settled on, it's definately the better lasting lube out of all the one's i have tried. I dont start a ride without a little green bottle in my shirt pocket!

[Trapper]

Dry lube.  Used to use Epic, but am trying squirt at the moment.  My reasoning is the dirt and dust (and mud pieces) that the wet picks up wears out the chaing and components much faster.  with the dry lube it falls off.

 

My wife bought her new bike recently, and it came from the LBS with wet lube. Went for a ride - the difference is HUGE. My chain still very much OK when we returned, hers was a stretched out ball of sand...

 

Use it, don't use it...

 

There's place for both in the market.

 

Oh-yeah, and you dont have the oil and black marks on your legs after a hectic piece of cross-country

[MarkU]

Thanks Trapper, did find that the wet attracted more dirt as well. I am still testing a product called Rock and Roll, seems worth a second test drive! Used the Rock & Roll yesterday as it was recommended by a mate and it actually seemed pretty decent. I am hoping to hear a few other opinions on the topic though.......

[100Tours]

My choice after 2 Epics is the Rock and Roll blue. You must follow the instructions for putting it on the chain otherwise it gets gooey, but once you've got that right it is the only all-day lube out there.

[MarkU]

My choice after 2 Epics is the Rock and Roll blue. You must follow the instructions for putting it on the chain otherwise it gets gooey' date=' but once you've got that right it is the only all-day lube out there. [/quote']

 

I will take advice from anyone having done the Epic! What is the "BLUE" you refer to? The bottle i have has a yellow lid, i assume that has something to do with it? Going to check out there website anyway, thanks for the feedback. I tried this lube first time yesterday and found something special about it.....

[Pom1]

Personally whether in a ride or a race, like Stage 2 on this years Sabie Exp. there is not a lube that will go the full distance, however, if you clean your chain with a dry clean cloth then apply copeus amounts of Squirt to your chain after each ride / race overnight. I have found this to be far longer lasting than wet lube for both wet and dusty conditions.

If you want endorsements read the article (I think in Tread Mag) on this years RASA winner and see what he uses across what must be the toughest conditions that SA has to offer... yes you've guessed it, Squirt!

 

Stay clear of oils as all they will do is accelerate the picking up of fine grit, mixing with the oil and creating what mechanics call "Grinding paste" (used for lapping in valves), making quick work of wearing your drive train.

[Christopher Brunsdon]

Tried wet lube, Finish Line, much to the protests of my LBS - hey customer is always right !!!!

 

Went in a month later for a new chain and the dry lube they recommended - White Lightning. My LBS is a well known mountain goat guy who has personal experience of tough conditions. Lesson learnt and I've never questioned his advice ever again.

 

End of the day lube is like religion, we each have our own.

 

[mountain_lion]

 

Dry lube needs to be applied a few hours before you ride as it has to dry before it is effective. It also needs to be worked into the chain well while it is still wet.

 

Dry lube is OK in very dry conditions.

However as soon as there is just the slightest bit of water involved (even just a river crossings) sand and water packs onto the wax, it flakes of leaving the chain dry.

 

Another negative of dry lube is that it cannot flow once it has dried.

Thus it cannot flow in and out the chain from the wear (pressure) surfaces as a wet lube does.

You will note that a wet lube soon gets black. This shows that it is working, carrying the particles released at the wear surfaces to the out side. This is what you want and is the main advantage of a wet lube. A dry lube cannot do this because it is dry and thus cannot flow.

 

Wet lube might pick up more dust / sand than dry lube but this is on the outside of the chain. Not all of this gets carried to the inside.

The trick is also not to over lube with wet lube.

 

Although dry lube leaves the chain looking clean, I don't use it any more.

Wet lube just works better for me in all conditions. If you clean your chain regularly like you should, it does not matter that it picks up a little bit more dust.

 

Oh, to answer the original question, I am using Finish Line wet lube at present (bottle with green top), but IMHO most wet lubes will work fine.

 

mountain_lion2010-01-01 15:47:50

[MarkU]

Thanks for all the opinions and feedback! I think Mr Brunsdon hit the nail on the head when he said lube is a personal choice......

I have "personally" chosen to go the "Rock & Roll Gold" route. A mate begged me to try a bottle and for good reason. The stuff is phenomenal!

[gremlin]

I've also been on Rock & Roll Gold for a while now and do prefer this. If you also read the directions after it is applied you wipe excess oil off.

[Wayne Potgieter]

Gee whizz....this thread is not what i thought it was about at all!!!

 

 

 

Very misleading title.