Lubricating your Drive Chain - what do you use?

[byegad]

I've been using chainsaw oil on my trikes for a number of years. Seems to work better than most of the things I've used over the last 60 years. Certainly my chains, cassettes and chainrings seem to last longer.

 

[GuyBoden]

The old "Candle wax and Engine oil" method, handed down by the cycling gods of old.

Candle wax and engine oil. About 3 parts candle wax and 1 part engine oil (more oil in winter), the cold mix should be slightly soft and easily pressed with your thumb.

Remove your chain and clean it.
Roll up the chain neatly and tie a wire to one end.
Melt the candles and add engine oil. 3:1 mix. (*This mix is highly flammable and causes smoke, so it's advised to use a slow cooker, outdoors and on a low setting.*)
Lower the chain into the wax/oil mix by the wire.
Check that the chain is fully submerged.
Leave for a few minutes, keep it on a low heat, not too hot.
Turn off the heat, remove the chain by the wire and hang it on a hook.
Clean the excess wax/oil mix off the chain's side plates.
Refit the chain on your bike.

The melted wax/oil mix can be poured into a container and reused.

I find that there's not a lot of "Fling" compared to wet oil lubes, but if there's too much candle wax in the mix, it will harden, crack and fall off............

 

[Tom B]

Chris Froome doesn't "own" a bike long enough to get it dirty. Let alone the need to lubricate anything

Careful, ythis is getting close to another "do you oil a new chain" thread/argument.

 

[Ajax Bay]

another "do you oil a new chain" thread/argument

When was the last one? What was the conclusion?

 

[keithmac]

Gates Carbon belt for me, haven't had to do anything at all in the year and a half I've had it!.

 

[sleuthey]

I tried Muck Off Ceramic Dry Lube as the spec said it is for both dry and damp conditions. However I only had to ride through one puddle and afterwards it seemed to be ineffective. Possibly washed off very quickly? I now use Wilkinsons own premium multipurpose cycle oil which seems to do the job well only gets very black!

 

[Gravity Aided]

The old "Candle wax and Engine oil" method, handed down by the cycling gods of old.

Candle wax and engine oil. About 3 parts candle wax and 1 part engine oil (more oil in winter), the cold mix should be slightly soft and easily pressed with your thumb.

Remove your chain and clean it.
Roll up the chain neatly and tie a wire to one end.
Melt the candles and add engine oil. 3:1 mix. (*This mix is highly flammable and causes smoke, so it's advised to use a slow cooker, outdoors and on a low setting.*)
Lower the chain into the wax/oil mix by the wire.
Check that the chain is fully submerged.
Leave for a few minutes, keep it on a low heat, not too hot.
Turn off the heat, remove the chain by the wire and hang it on a hook.
Clean the excess wax/oil mix off the chain's side plates.
Refit the chain on your bike.

The melted wax/oil mix can be poured into a container and reused.

I find that there's not a lot of "Fling" compared to wet oil lubes, but if there's too much candle wax in the mix, it will harden, crack and fall off............

As well it should. The stuff on the outside is superfluous.

 

[Ajax Bay]

I’ve used the search function before on many occasions as there is a lot of useful information on here. Sometimes it’s useful, other times it’s easier to simply ask a direct question as not everyone answers a question in any given thread.

I've put a list of 'chain lube' threads together:
https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/e...ike-lubricants-but-were-afraid-to-ask.194362/
https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/chain-oil-for-bikes-cheaper-alternative.170728/
https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/best-chain-lube.181068/
https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/bike-chain-lube-chainsaw-oil.226534/
https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/new-chain-lube.217068/
https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/dry-lube.223393/

Candle wax and engine oil. About 3 parts candle wax and 1 part engine oil (more oil in winter)

The case against wax,
https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/new-chain-lube.217068/#post-4765292

this is getting close to another "do you oil a new chain" thread/argument.

Last one I can find:
https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/new-chain-lube.217068/
HTH @RealLeeHimself - I expect you to read through all those threads: 'everyone' (who has a view) must have answered one of those threads.

 

[tyred]

I've found a great way to cut chain maintenance

 

[Profpointy]

As well it should. The stuff on the outside is superfluous.

Not entirely superflous as it would protect the metal from water / rust.

 

[Gravity Aided]

I'd use chainsaw oil, as I don't race anymore, and the 1970's had more leisure time for such pursuits as waxing chains. I also like Tri-Flow, seems a local favorite.

 

[GuyBoden]

The reason why greases and waxes are not good chain lubrication is because they cannot flow back after being forced out of a pressure face. Oil does that very well and we can see the evidence of it in that it turns black. The black colour is metal particles which have been suspended in the oil. These particles were abraded off when the chain articulated under tension. If you can't see black, it means that the metal has not been suspended in the lube and is still in the interface where it does even more damage.
A good chain lube has to flow and evidence of flow is in the colour.
Black is beautiful.

The case against wax,
https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/new-chain-lube.217068/#post-4765292

Thanks, @Yellow Saddle's case against Wax is very convincing, so I think it's back to using good old Engine oil again.

 

[Gravity Aided]

Chainsaw oil is high tac, does a good job.

 

[Blue Hills]

d the 1970's had more leisure time for such pursuits as waxing chains. .

And there was me fretting that I was born too late and missed out on all those fondue parties and swinging.

 

[GuyBoden]

Chainsaw oil is high tac, does a good job.

£3.85p a litre at Toolstation. I might try it.
https://www.toolstation.com/shop/p36322?table=no