The best chain lube

[Wester]

let me know what I do not know

 

[Darius_Jedburgh]

 

[CanucksTraveller]

There's no agreed best lube, only favourites. I've had a bottle each of Halfords Bikehut oil and Muc-Off wet lube for ages, both seem to work about the same - I sort of like the Muc-Off because it smells fruity and delicious, but my wallet doesn't seem to like it quite so much as the Halfords one.

 

[rogerzilla]

Finish Line Wet. Avoid all "dry lubes". Your chain will rust, they need frequent re-application and they build up into a foul waxy mess.

 

[C R]

There's no agreed best lube, only favourites. I've had a bottle each of Halfords Bikehut oil and Muc-Off wet lube for ages, both seem to work about the same - I sort of like the Muc-Off because it smells fruity and delicious, but my wallet doesn't seem to like it quite so much as the Halfords one.

I stock up on the muc off stuff from Aldi's bike events.

 

[battered]

Here goes.
I use a general purpose light oil. Others use extra virgin double refined superlube that has been selected from single variety plant oils and single vintage crude oil wells, before being refined in a precision chemical facility and blended to a pitch of incredible lubricious perfection. This is then packaged in hand made vials of the finest sapphire before the labels are applied by the bottle being rolled gently on maidens' thighs. It is then transported under temperature controlled transport to the retail facility, where the custodian keeps it under lock and key in darkness and controlled atmosphere prior to sale, with each bottle being turned through 90 degrees every 24 hours to prevent uneven settling.

One of these approaches may be more costly than the other. In between is everyone else. You choose.

 

[MichaelW2]

Lube is like beer. As long as you apply it, its is all good. Some wear off quicker than others. Some can make a bit of a mess of your trousers if applied too liberally .
On tour, in extremis I have used the remnants of en engine oil carton. It worked but did attract dirt.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

Lube is like beer.

How's the hangover?

 

[Eric Olthwaite]

In order to avoid ever worrying about what lube to use for my chain, I only ever cycle in the rain. The water falling from the sky acts as God's own lubricant.

 

[Arrowfoot]

No idea about oil properties but I can tell that the wet and dry for the seasons do make a difference. I also notice that you have to wipe down after application so it does not gather muck as much. Something I learnt after years of liberal application. The jockey wheels suffered the most from the muck build-up.

 

[Hacienda71]

I have been using Squirt Lube for the last few months. Have to say I am impressed so far. No major waxy build up, the drive train stays uber clean and it is eco friendly. It has performed ok on a couple of wet rides. I do re lube more than if I was using an oil based lube but the lack of crap build up on the drive train probably off sets the cost by increasing the longevity of the components.

 

[Brandane]

I use left-over motorbike fork oil (10W), decanted into one of those empty "Finish Line super duper over-priced, use this or your chain will self destruct, cycle specific lubricant" applicators. At a guess, it's probably better quality than the stuff that was originally in the bottle. And none of the chains I have used it on have seized up yet.

 

[Dan77]

I really like using rock 'n roll gold. Especially because I use the same bike indoors on the trainer as I do outdoors. Saves a lot of hassle.

Making sure your chain is well lubricated is the important bit though. The selection of which bike lube you use will effect how often it needs cleaning/reapplying more than anything else. RNR gold also has the benefits that it cleans and lubes in one application and can't be overwiped after.

 

[Brandane]

Lube is like beer.

This is not a good comparison. I give you Carling Black Label lager versus Guinness. The difference is akin to urinating on your chain versus applying the finest Tour de France approved 5 star chain lube.

 

[battered]

I use left-over motorbike fork oil (10W), decanted into one of those empty "Finish Line

I thought there was only me that was *that* tight. I've been using old fork oil since I did a fork rebuild 20 years ago. It works.
I have used car engine oil, in my case taken from the dipstick of my then car. It's very sticky and the dirt does stick to it. Better than nothing though if you have forgotten to bring proper lube.