Lubrication?? Wax or Oil?

[Moss]

I have a nice - recently bought new carbon bike! Looks beautiful; and would like to keep it that way, you know, without any dirty oil marks etc.

I've heard that there are certain wax lubes that will help eliminate the constant chain cleaning to keep your mount in tip-top condition yet keep the drive chain lubricated nicely?

Can anyone recommend such a wax lube? from experience of course; and please include the benefits of using such a lube?

Any information would be appreciated

Thanks

M

 

[Cubist]

Finish Line teflon dry lube is very good.
See this thread
https://www.cyclechat.net/

 

[Cubist]

I've just taken delivery of a bottle of Finish Line dry ceramic wax..... supposed to be even cleaner. Will give it a try as it's clean the bike night tonight.

 

[numbnuts]

Looks beautiful; and would like to keep it that way

well keep it in the box then

 

[NormanD]

I've just taken delivery of a bottle of Finish Line dry ceramic wax..... supposed to be even cleaner. Will give it a try as it's clean the bike night tonight.

Let me know how you get on with this please Cubist

Moss get yourself some GT85 for the frame and other parts, it's waterproof and will help protect your frame in winter

 

[Manonabike]

well keep it in the box then

Lol


I have used finishline oil as well as other oils in the past but I become totally fed up with them attracting dirt and making my ride less enjoyable. I needed to do something drastic. I considered wax as it had some really good reviews (as far as keeping the chain clean) but it works out expensive as you have to keep reapplying the stuff. I thought I would give silicone spray a go and so far I cannot be more pleased with it. Only yesterday I was showing my wife the chain after a ride in very sandy conditions..... there was so much sand that in parts I had to walk, impossible to ride. The bike had sand everywhere but not in the chain nor cassette.

Last year on this bike, on a similar ride, I would not be able to chain chainrings.....after 15 mls the accumulated sand would get in the way and it was just impossible to move the chain to the middle ring nor the granny ring. That is not longer a problem and makes the rides so much enjoyable. Also, I hate dirty chains.

I might have to change chains more often, I don't know yet as I haven't done enough miles on any of the bikes to tell how is that going to work out. Having said that, I don't mind if I have to.... but something tells me all that sand was killing my chains prematurely in the past so I might still see an improvement

 

[Broadside]

I've got 3 different Finish Line lubes; Wet, Dry and Ceramic Wax (all for my road bike). The wet is very good in really filthy winter weather, only having to re-apply every few rides, however it collects dirt like mad and the chain will be black in no time. The Dry is a good general all rounder but needs to be reapplied more often (after every wet ride) but keeps things much cleaner. The wax lube is a different story again, keeps the chain very clean but even in the dry it needs to be re-applied very often, probably every 50-100 miles, if you don't reapply after every wet ride then you will get rust. I am currently still on the wax lube, soon to be switching to using the Dry, I will avoid using the Wet unless I have too as it does make a mess but does provide extra protection. The wax will work out more expensive but if you like to keep the chain very clean (at the potential expense of chain life) then get the wax lube. Even though it needs to be reapplied often it only takes a minute, so I do quite like it.

 

[dellzeqq]

beer

 

[Keith Oates]

I used the ceramic one last year and found it very good with a clean chain all the time, it costs a bit both in cash and time but I thought it was worth the effort!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Pauln]

I am using a lubricant with wax in. It is OK but I have found that little spots of rust often form on the chain and it does need re-applying often and I only tend to go out when it is dry. Not sure if it has kept my chain any cleaner either. Not sure that I will be buying that one again when it has run out.

 

[Moss]

Oh Bugger,

Thankyou all for your replies. I think "leave it in the box" maybe the reply I was looking for? So many recommendations, I'm still undecided on what to use? Would like to keep the bike as clean as possible , but, at the same time keeping it lubricated and protected from the elements!

Looking at Silicone, Teflon Spray, or what do you think? Some links to the products you guys use would be helpful; along with some bike cleaning recommendations? would be appreciated.

Thanks

M

 

[Moss]

I've just taken delivery of a bottle of Finish Line dry ceramic wax..... supposed to be even cleaner. Will give it a try as it's clean the bike night tonight.

Teflon Spray or Ceramic Wax? Then use Gunk to clean the chain and FW Yes?

 

[Moss]

Lol


I have used finishline oil as well as other oils in the past but I become totally fed up with them attracting dirt and making my ride less enjoyable. I needed to do something drastic. I considered wax as it had some really good reviews (as far as keeping the chain clean) but it works out expensive as you have to keep reapplying the stuff. I thought I would give silicone spray a go and so far I cannot be more pleased with it. Only yesterday I was showing my wife the chain after a ride in very sandy conditions..... there was so much sand that in parts I had to walk, impossible to ride. The bike had sand everywhere but not in the chain nor cassette.

Last year on this bike, on a similar ride, I would not be able to chain chainrings.....after 15 mls the accumulated sand would get in the way and it was just impossible to move the chain to the middle ring nor the granny ring. That is not longer a problem and makes the rides so much enjoyable. Also, I hate dirty chains.

I might have to change chains more often, I don't know yet as I haven't done enough miles on any of the bikes to tell how is that going to work out. Having said that, I don't mind if I have to.... but something tells me all that sand was killing my chains prematurely in the past so I might still see an improvement

Do you have a link to the Silicone spray you use? Thanks.

 

[Cubist]

Teflon Spray or Ceramic Wax? Then use Gunk to clean the chain and FW Yes?

Use some gunk green (smells nicer and doesn't make the fish poorly) to degrease your chain. Dry thoroughly on a rag. Use GT85 to spray and drive out any remaining water once you've rinsed it, and allow to dry. Wipe with a rag.

You can then lube with Finish Line. The bottled teflon dry is very good. I wouldn't bother with the spray types as they strike me as either overkill (and my hard earned all over the garage floor) or hit-and-miss.

Use the dropper bottles sparingly, a drop on each roller and finish with a wipe down to get the excess off and coat the side plates.

I still haven't got round to trying the ceramic wax.... that's today's job.

 

[Banjo]

I use epic clean ride wax type lube. It definitely keeps the chain cleaner than oil. After a long wet ride the bike is filthy from road muck etc but chain and cassette just need a bit of a wipe over and more lube.

It doesnt attract the dirt like oil does.