Lube. Prolink Pro Gold v White Lightening v Purple Extreme

Seve OB · 23-01-2012 12:59PM #1

I want to get some good lube for my bike and have narrowed it down to 3, so would like any advice based on only these 3 so please no mention of 3 in 1 or WD 40 etc.

What is the best one for road use mainly around Dublin, I mainly cycle when it is not raining but you never can tell in this country.

Also any ideas on best place to buy for good value?

I'm also going to get one of these

doozerie · 23-01-2012 01:13PM

I tried White Lightning on my commute bike and it simply didn't work for me at all - I probably didn't apply it frequently enough but if I applied it daily a single bottle would have lasted no time at all. I've been using ProLink on my "good" bikes for over a year and am happy with it. It is easier to apply than White Lightning (I use an eye dropper which takes a little longer than pouring/squirting it but is much more efficient in terms of limiting wastage) and is less messy too. The recommendation is to wipe the chain clean and re-apply it after every ride or after every second ride - that's fine for bikes that I use once or maybe twice a week but I wouldn't have the patience to do that with my commute bikes which get used every day so I still use more "conventional" oils for those.

Since I started using ProLink on some bikes I've not used a chain cleaner at all on those bikes. ProLink is designed to dispel dirt from the chain so essentially it cleans the chain for you as you ride.

I've never tried Purple Extreme. I bought my ProLink from Ribble cycles in Oct 2010, I think they had the best price I could find on it at the time though I've not checked more recently. I'm still working though the same bottle.

Seve OB · 23-01-2012 01:19PM

Nice one Doozerie

I have never lubed my chain till now, over 800k on the clock since I bought it last Summer and it only started squeaking now, though mind you they may have lubed it in the shop for me the couple of times i was in. I never realised the importance till I started to research it now!

How long do you think Prolink will last before re-apply is needed. I know you say every couple of rides, but is that couple of 100k spins or 10k spins? I do more of the 10k variety at the moment!

ftt_frank · 23-01-2012 01:38PM

800k without lube is bad... I use TF2 / GT85 lube on all my chains and recommend it also. Im a bike mechanic by the way. The problem with using oils is that they can attract dirt / dust / salt from the road. A greasy, dirty chain is worse than a dry clean chain.

Use a PTFE based spray, it is quick and easy. It penetrates quickly in under the rollers of the chain. Only disadvantage is you have to do it more often than oils.

If you have disc brakes, spray the chain with a straw close to the cranks to avoid spray getting on the disc/pads.

PS: PTFE is a non stick teflon based oil, IME its the best for open chain systems. WD40 is only a penetrant with a degreaser, it will rust your chain quicker, so dont use it here. 3 in 1 oil does a PTFE spray can which is okay, however is generally more expensive. Hope this helps you

doozerie · 23-01-2012 01:44PM

stevieob wrote:

How long do you think Prolink will last before re-apply is needed.

As far as I have pushed it is to do a couple of 80k rides on one application. If I've ridden in the wet, even over a short distance, I've wiped the chain and re-applied it before the next ride. You might well get longer out of one application but the risk is that your chain suffers more wear and tear and has a shorted lifespan as a result. It doesn't take long to re-apply (wipe chain clean with a cloth, apply ProLink to each link, turn the pedals for 40 revolutions or so, wipe off excess) it's just laziness on my part that I'm not willing to use it on my commute bikes.

Seve OB · 23-01-2012 01:54PM

ftt_frank wrote: »

800k without lube is bad...

I know...Now!

ftt_frank wrote: »

The problem with using oils is that they can attract dirt / dust / salt from the road. A greasy, dirty chain is worse than a dry clean chain.

That is why I was looking at Prolink especially, it claims not to attract such dirt and grease and keep it clean

ftt_frank wrote: »

If you have disc brakes, spray the chain with a straw close to the cranks to avoid spray getting on the disc/pads.

What are disc brakes?

Diarmuid · 23-01-2012 02:35PM

What about Finish Line Red?

Seve OB · 23-01-2012 02:46PM

Diarmuid wrote: »

What about Finish Line Red?

I don't know....what about it?

Diarmuid · 23-01-2012 02:50PM

stevieob wrote: »

I don't know....what about it?

Why did you rule it out? It's pretty good, esp if you are not going out in the rain.

Seve OB · 23-01-2012 03:14PM

Diarmuid wrote: »

Why did you rule it out? It's pretty good, esp if you are not going out in the rain.

well i had not read about it so it never featured

but i will be in the rain as it is Ireland after all so I would be looking for an all round option. going to google it now

mp31 · 23-01-2012 09:03PM

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/tools/cycling-tools/chain-lubricant?searchTerm=&searchType=productSearch&productBrand=&sortBy=rating&dateFromYear=2003&_brc=0&productPriceFrom=&productPriceTo=&submit=Search

Loads of 'em 'ere to choose from...

The Pedro's Synlube looks a good un...

Alternatively....

http://road.cc/review-archive?tid=10699

This crowd like the Brunox.

Murph100 · 24-01-2012 12:07AM

Used to use Prolink religiously, then saw the solvent in the 'oil' eating through the floor paint after a few months.

Yup, it keeps the chain clean alright, because its nearly all solvent. One spin in heavy rain and you need to relube.

I tried Chain-L a year ago, and found it brilliant. Pain in the ass to put on, but once on you're good for at least 750km. Wipe the chain down after rides and its as clean as all the 'Prolink' versions.

A bottle will easily do you a year !

http://www.urbanhunter.biz/acatalog/chain_L_bike_oil.html

uberwolf · 24-01-2012 12:10AM

this thread title is going to have a lot of disappointed AHers stopping by.

Lube. Prolink Pro Gold v White Lightening v Purple Extreme

Which is the best all round Lube for Road Bike 3 votes

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