What's the best chain lube for the dry So Cal desert? Posted by Bradly BOB a 45 year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a Specialized Enduro from Lancaster on 01/06/06
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Re: The best chain lube
Try Ice Wax. Start w/ clean(solvent clean), dry chain. Slather IceWax on all sides of chain. Crank for a short while. Put away bike for as long as possible(24+ hours is good). Before ride, wipe excess off w/ cloth rag("velour" towell is best, but hard to source). Ride. When ride over, wipe excess dirt/wax w/ towell. Ride,wipe,ride,wipe, until links start to lose their "stiffness" from lack of wax(if it starts squeaking, you went for one too many rides.) When it needs re-application, wipe chain, slather new IW over the old, let dry, and repeat the described cycle. In other words, you always leave a certain amount of dirt in the chain. Keep checking the chain wear as you go. I routinely get 5 or 6 10-12 mile DRY rides with this scheme. Water crossings/splashings shorten the cycle. Ice Wax is lousy if there's water hitting the chain. Also, it's much cheaper to buy the 16 oz. bottle via Nashbar than to pay $6 for the little 4oz. size. Posted by Pluton a 500 year old riding a FSRxc from s monica-home of the homeless on 01/06/06
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Re: The best chain lube
Ice wax works well. Anything paraffinic is good out here.
I'm still using regular old white lightning - works well in the dry dusty and sandy as long as you apply before each ride (apply once and wipe, then a little more) and wipe down the drivetrain after each ride.
I used prolink last time I rode in the wet but you have to thoroughly clean that oil based stuff off your drivetrain after every ride - probably a good idea anyhow after a wet ride.
Posted by FFW a 47 year old Cross-Country Rider riding a MPB from Palmdale on 01/09/06
I've had good luck with Rock 'n Roll. I've tried their various versions(Original, Gold, etc.) and it all works great. Also, DuMond Tech is good stuff. Posted by MtnbikeMike a 20 year old Racer riding a Diesel/Fuel/R-650 from La Verne on 01/11/06
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