Which chain lube?

[Debian]

Well, my original MTB, Peugeot Alpina, early 90's vintage, was bought before manufacturers invented posh synth lubes for bikes. For ten years it existed on a diet of 3-in-1 for all lube duties.

I still have the bike although it's only now used as a town shopping hack but it has put in serious trail mileage during my ownership.

It still has the original chain and cogs. That, I think now, should have told me something before I started buying expensive fancy oils for my newer bikes. I'll see how my current commuter fares on 3-in-1 for the foreseeable future, I have a funny feeling it'll do OK.

 

[Fab Foodie]

I'll see how my current commuter fares on 3-in-1 for the foreseeable future, I have a funny feeling it'll do OK.

Me too. Just make sure there's always enough on!

 

[youngoldbloke]

I used to use whatever was around - decades of 3in1, miscellaneous engine oil, even WD40 before I knew better. But stand by my posts above - have used Prolink exclusively for almost 3 years, and now would not go back to old dirty habits. Happy to say my budget can handle the 4.99 expenditure over this period, plus a capital investment of 4.99 in a Luber of course.

 

[Debian]

It's not really a matter of budget for me though. I've spent a small fortune over the past few years buying and trying various fancy lubes and would have been quite happy if one of them worked.

However, what swung it for me was a) my chain turned brown these past few weeks and when I did clean the chain and re-lube it with 3-in-1 heaps of rusty gunge came out of the links. I kept adding 3-in-1 and wiping and ever more rust kept being washed out of the chain.

Now, after a week (nearly) of running on 3-in-1 my chain actually looks like I look after it and it and the whole drivetrain has been much smoother and quieter than I remember it being for a long while.

Anyhow, I shall now stick with the 3-in-1 until something happens to make me change my mind.