Drivetrain lube - wet? dry? why?

alritelad

what is the benefit of using dry lube on your chain in ireland? i don't race, but like to keep my parts in top condition. considering the fact that it is always possible that a deluge is on the horizon, is there ever any point in using dry lube?

Chips Lovell

alritelad wrote: »

what is the benefit of using dry lube on your chain in ireland? i don't race, but like to keep my parts in top condition. considering the fact that it is always possible that a deluge is on the horizon, is there ever any point in using dry lube?

I use wax during the summer. Does the job unless it's raining all day, in which case I'd put something heavier on before leaving.

rottenhat

Yes, dry lube picks up less dirt, meaning less wear and tear on the drivetrain. Road grime sticking to your chain acts like sandpaper on your components.

If you're as lazy about cleaning your chain as I am, having to frequently reapply lube is a good thing - you wipe the worst of the dirt off with the excess lube.

alritelad

nice one. that is a very good point. i think i'll stick to the dry so!

short circuit

el tonto wrote: »

I use wax during the summer. Does the job unless it's raining all day, in which case I'd put something heavier on before leaving.

I've been using the Finish LIne Krytech Wax lube for the last 10 days ... and it never seems to last for more than 100kms or so ... I applied it for the first time after completely degreasing and cleaning the chain .. and applied it twice as recommended.

Do you find this as well .. ? And I haven't cycled in the rain. So that shouldn't be the reason ..

May be I am using the wrong wax lube ... do you have any recommendation?

rottenhat

Pro Link Gold is far and away the best of them I have used but I haven't seen it here - I rely on people bringing me back large stashes from the US. But I would still need to reapply once a week (so 300km or so.)

blorg

I tend to use Finish Line, dry when it's dry and wet when it's wet. Wet all winter.

alritelad

if it doesn't rain or get wet, how often should finish line be applied for optimal lubrication?

i suppose the same question goes for the wet one too.

TheTubes

alritelad wrote: »

if it doesn't rain or get wet, how often should finish line be applied for optimal lubrication?

i suppose the same question goes for the wet one too.

I'd like to know this too... :pac:

short circuit

TheTubes wrote: »

I'd like to know this too... :pac:

I used finish line wet lube all the time before trying out the finish line was for the last 2 weeks.

The wet lube easily lasted me the week .. roughly 250 - 300kms without issues. And since we rarely ever get an entire week without rain ... its usually time for a chain clean or a bike wash by the end of the week .. so the chain always got relubed once a week.

The chain is actually cleaner when it pours down than in drizzle .. or when the frost disappears leaving damp roads. And wet lube does pick up quite a bit of grime ... I am assuming this is powdery dust floating around in the air ... so in a week .. you will notice a black coating on the chain .. nothing too bad .. but something which should be cleaned if you want your drive train to last. Was doesn't do this ... but then it doesn't last that long either.

Zorba

rottenhat wrote: »

Pro Link Gold is far and away the best of them I have used but I haven't seen it here - I rely on people bringing me back large stashes from the US. But I would still need to reapply once a week (so 300km or so.)

Rotten i totally agree with u about Pro Link Gold it's the best i've ever used, i got mine on ebay and u can still get it there, just checked, gonna order myself some to stock up !

biker_joe

Hi Guys
So the Pro link stuff ? Is that dry or wet ? I am currently using a wet halfords
spray ... So if I was to use the Pro link stuff, will I have to get out the de-greaser before applying it ?

Thanks
Biker Joe

alritelad

should you use degreaser everytime you reapply (as in weekly) or is it ok to give the chain a wipe and then lash on the lube?

Zorba

biker_joe wrote: »

Hi Guys
So the Pro link stuff ? Is that dry or wet ? I am currently using a wet halfords
spray ... So if I was to use the Pro link stuff, will I have to get out the de-greaser before applying it ?

Thanks
Biker Joe

It's wet but it keeps the chain clean, the dirt just falls off it hence it keeps your chain looking cleaner for longer.

Personally i'd always clean the chain with a degreaser before applying lube.

And just seen it's also available in Total Cycling.

rottenhat

I would have described it as dry...dry-ish, anyway, although it's not wax-based. General practice is to put a generous coat on first to flush out any other lube you might have had on the chain, wipe off, and reapply. But as mentioned previously, I'm not exactly scrupulous about cleaning my rig.

lukester

I use Pro Road, works very nicely indeed. The marketing fluff would have you believe it has the best properties of a dry and wet lube, meh. I usually use WD40 to clean the chain first.