Three most important requirements of a chain lubricant:
Lubrication
Lubrication
and Lubrication
While properties like external cleanliness may seem important, the fact is
that internal wear of the 112 overloaded, overworked and overlooked
bearings is what destroys chains. A road cyclist, riding first-tier equipment, will typically wear a chain out in as little as 50* hours of use -- often destroying the cassette or chainrings in the process. On a high-end bike, drivetrain wear is the most expensive maintenance cost per mile.
That’s why, when developing Chain-L, we approached is as a bearing-
wear problem and formulated it consistent with our theory of how chains
wear and how best to combat it. We then road tested with racers,
messengers, shop staff and others; refining it over the span of
almost a year before we began selling to the public in the fall of 2007.
Rather than bore you with sales hype or smoke and mirrors, we prefer to
follow the old adage that the “proof of the pudding is in the eating”
and encourage you to give it a try and see for yourself if Chain-L is
something you should be using.
Submitted by
kevin29r
a Cross Country Rider
from Baltimore, MD, USA
Date Reviewed: November 14, 2011
Strengths: Quiet running, long lasting, water resistant, reduced maintenance, small amount needed per chain, easy to apply, wicks inside the rollers, dependable after crossing streams
Weaknesses: Attacts dirt, but after stream crossings wet chains pick up dust regardless of lube used.
Bottom Line:
This is a back to basics chain lube of a heavy mineral oil type with friction modifiers. Think of it as a heavy duty lube similar to that of automotive use. Chains are under extreme pressure and need a heavy duty oil that stays inside the rollers. Thinner lubes allow more metal to metal contact. The thicker lube tends to occupy the gaps between roller and side plates so the dirt is mostly on the outside of the chain. Just wipe off the outside before each ride. I usually get 8 or so rides of about 13 miles each with 6 or so stream crossings before I decide to clean and re-lube. There is no rust on the chain with Chain-L. Lighter lubes resulted in a dirty chain also and required lubing and wiping and re-lubing after every ride.
Similar Products Used: Prolink, Icewax, Triflow, Dupont Teflon spray
Bike Setup: Fisher HiFi Pro
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Submitted by
joefi
a Cross Country Rider
from Pittsburgh
Date Reviewed: September 13, 2011
Strengths: Durable and fuss free. Great for commuter bikes dealing with rain, snow and mud.
Weaknesses: Time consuming application, but well worth the wait.
Bottom Line:
Excellent Product. Follow the directions and you won't be dissapointed. I'm a maintenance geek, but the chain is now one component that I don't have to lose sleep over. Yeah, I was skeptical about this stuff, but it's been the best lube I've put on my mountain bike and commuter bike that I don't have to fuss with. I still wipe my chain from time to time, and clean my cassette and chainrings to help extend the life of my components, but the nice thing about this lube is that you don’t have to worry about it wearing off in the middle of your ride (b/c of muddy conditions or rain).
Similar Products Used: Rock'n'Roll Extreme, Pro-Gold, Pedros, Finish Line Wet, Squirt.
Bike Setup: 1999 Litespeed Obed, Chris King hub, headset, bottom bracket, Thomson stem & post, SRAM X0, Avid Black Ops levers with BB7 160mm front & Black Ops Ultimate V-Brakes. Manitou 100mm Minute MRD ABS+
Strengths: Holds on to your chain like no other lube
Lubes for a long time, even in the worst conditions
Weaknesses: Smells bad, but I only care when I leave my biek in the car
Bottom Line:
This is by far the best lube I have ever used and I'll never use anything else. We had a very muddy summer this year and often it rained in races, this lube has kept my chains lubed in all these foul conditions and then some. I used it on all my mountain bikes and my GFs as well. Going to some endurance races in the next weeks, I won't leave without it!
Similar Products Used: Name it I probably tried it. My 2nd best lube would be Finish Line wet though.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Shawnc
a Weekend Warrior
from Millbrae, CA
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2011
Strengths: I have used this lube in sand, dust, mud, creek-crossing and it keeps going. Minimal re-lube required and it keeps the drive-train ultra quite and smooth.
Weaknesses: The only potential weakness is the initial application process, but the extra 10 minutes is a small price to pay for a smooth, clean, long-lasting drivetrain
Bottom Line:
Simply the best lube for your bike. I was concerned that it would be messier than the dry lubes I had previously been using for summer conditions, but found the complete opposite to be the case. Since you only need to apply it very infrequently and wipe off the excess, there is very little lube on the outside of the chain to collect dirt. The majority of the lube stays IN the chain, doing what is suppose to do. I've found that my drive-chain stays noticably cleaner with significantly less effort than require with other lubes. Chain-L is simply the best chain-lube I've used. Invest the extra 10 minutes upfront to apply it according to the directions and you'll be rewarded mile after mile after mile. Not to mention, the price cannot be beat!
Similar Products Used: Dumonde Tech, White Lightning, Boeshield, Prolink, Finish Line, Pedros Syn Lube, Pedros Ice Lube, Philwood, etc....
Bike Setup: Intense Tracer VP, Zion 853EBB, Cervelo R3SL
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
rollinn
a Cross Country Rider
from Laguna Beach Ca USA
Date Reviewed: May 20, 2011
Strengths: Works super well!!! Quiets the chain ALOT and the shifting improved tremendously.
Weaknesses: Its a bit messy- but you know what, anything that works as well as this- I will accept some mess as it is a mtn bike anyhow..
Bottom Line:
This is a superb product!!! I have used prolink for years- and after trying Chain-L no way I could go back to anything else.. Its really that good. Not to mention the fols at Chain-L are so nice they make the experience very pleasing. Whoever switches to Chain-L will be beyond happy!!!
Strengths: Last a LONG time, works well even when the chain is filthy
Bottom Line:
I really like the Chain-L lube. It requires a little more work to lube the chain than normal but not enough to sway my decision to use it. It seems to last a LOT longer than Prolink and Finishline and the chain is a lot quieter. A quick wipe of the chain after a ride to remove the dirt and it's good to go no need to reapply lube every 100 or so miles. I did an SS race in very dry and dusty conditions and though me, the bike, and the chain were all white from the dust the chain was quiet and still pulled smooth as if it were still fresh lubed. The really noticeable thing I like is when riding on the road and cruising at 95-100 cadence, the sound of the chain is almost quiet but the sound you can hear is like a "well oiled machine" just smoothly operating. The even cooler part, after 400 miles it's still making this sound with no extra lube added. Previously I was lubing my road chain ever 100-150miles. A little added upfront maintenance time applying the lube makes up for time down the road by not having to lube the chain so often.
Similar Products Used: ProLink, FinishLine, White Lightning, WD-40 (kidding), RockNRoll
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
mtber3737
a Cross Country Rider
from Laguna Niguel, CA
Date Reviewed: May 3, 2011
Strengths: Works! Quiets the chain & improves shifting.
Weaknesses: Can be a little messy... but what the hell, we're mountain bikers... live with it!
Bottom Line:
I'll be 70 this year and I'm sceptical as hell. I've been riding mountain bikes before some of you were born. Bottom line: There's others out there and some work and some don't ... this stuff works!
Similar Products Used: You name it, I've tried about everything else on the market and a few that weren't.
Bike Setup: Tallboy. Weights about 25 lbs ... a lot less than my wife ... but not as pretty.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
tiSS'er
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix, AZ
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2011
Strengths: quiet, long lasting, clean, smooths out your transmission
Weaknesses: application
Bottom Line:
I ride 4-6 times per week in the very dry and dusty Phoenix desert. I am always looking for the next best thing, especially if it is going to extend the life of my bike.
After Francis offered the free sample here on MTB a few years back, I have been a believer in ChainL. My chain is much quieter than anything else I have used, my chain feels like it has some sort of "dampening" to it when I accelerate or shift. Rather than getting a clunking feel, the bike is smooth. My bike shifts much better for longer.
I recently tried a few brands of Bar and Chain oil and came away unimpressed. The lube worked great for one ride, but then my chain would get louder, and shifting performance would drop. I typically get 3-4 rides on ChainL, and could probably get more, but I tend to be on the safe side and overlube.
I have a great system for application. I remove the chain from the bike, wipe it down quick, put one drop on each link and wait about an hour. Wipe the chain down, throw it back on and pedal the bike. Wipe the chain down again and I am all set. By taking the chain off the bike, my pulleys, chainrings, and cassette stay exceptionally clean with no buildup. I think for many people this is a turn off, however, I simply find the application only takes a few minutes and I do it once for several rides.
I like the stuff so much, i just ordered 3 more bottles. At $12 it is a steal, and will last me for quite some time.
Similar Products Used: bar oil, RNR Extreme and Gold, Tri-Flow, Maima Chain Wax, Bel Ray Super Clean, T9 Boeshield, Dumonde, ATB
Bike Setup: Knolly Endorphin, Knolly Podium
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
freaky-styley
a Weekend Warrior
from Piermont
Date Reviewed: April 5, 2011
Strengths: Great lube in all conditions, very little dust accummulation, does not gunk up if appleid right. kept chain lubed through insane winter riding conditions-snow, ice, rain, salt, mud. I lube about once every 3 months!!
Weaknesses: viscocity makes it a little hard to apply but I prefer lubing off the bike in a baggy. I place the lubed chain-in-bag on my radiator to bring the viscocity down a notch. helps to move the oil into all the surfaces. smells like motor oil. cant use this on cables and other components
Bottom Line:
This lube has made my life so much easier. I am a repeat customer now for over 2 years. Not only do my own drivetrains remain lubed and clean but my wife and kids' bikes do not require constant attention. I love it. The only problem is I am worried they will go out of business because I use so little lube that I cannot imagine they can stay in business!! A trial will cost you $4!!!
Similar Products Used: triflow, pedros, castrol, t-9, finish line (used to be my favorite), ice wax.....
Bike Setup: Main ride custom waltworks 29er 80mm Fox, with Daves speeddream wheels, King hubs, BB, Headset SLX 1x9, carbon post and bar. also Niner air9 carbon, rip 9, os black buck and perfect storm fatbike
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
ProjectDan35
a Cross Country Rider
from Rhode Island
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2011
Strengths: Quiet, well lubed drive train.
Weaknesses: Smell, application process is like disecting an animal. Process of applying is not worth it at all. Attracts dirt like a magnet, makes a black thick mess all over your gears.
Bottom Line:
Not worth the hassle, although it will last a long time.
Best and quietest shifting lube ever. Goes on smooth but super sticky. Cool glow in the dark yellow. Really penetrates chain links. All noise disappears once thoroughly spread on gears. Noticeable improvement on shifting. This is the last lube I will ever use. I can't say how long it will last because I just applied it but it's so sticky I can't imagine it being anything but what everyone else said and that means I will hardly ever have to re-lube.
Similar Products Used: Finish Line Wet and Dry Teflon
Bike Setup: Haro XLS R5
Cloud Nine Rear Shock
Fox Float Front Fork
Avid BB7 Brakes
Shimano XTR gears,shifters etc.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
david_asulin
a Cross Country Rider
from San Jose CA, USA
Date Reviewed: January 18, 2011
Strengths: 1. Easy to apply - hell no!
2. Lubricate well - oh yeah!
3. Keeps my chain and drive components clean - no, it attracts dirt and very hard to remove if you want to go back to your old lube.
4. Stays on for long time - yes. 5-10 rides easily.
5. Water resistant - yes.
Will I use it - NO. As much as I love it's performance I can't stand the application process, the smell and thickness. In cold weather you need to warm it up under hot water to put it on.
Maybe the other lubes don't provide that perfect results but they are way more convenient to use.
The manufacturer advertises this product as Lubrication, Lubrication, Lubrication.
True, but it doesn’t smell like Chanel N°5.
Similar Products Used: Pro-link and various. Chain-L is better.
Bike Setup: Spec Epic
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
mlaff
a Cross Country Rider
from Clayton, Ca
Date Reviewed: December 18, 2010
Strengths: Lasts forever even in the rain and muck. Doen't require re-application after every ride.
Weaknesses: Takes a little care to first "install".
Bottom Line:
Clean and apply this lube as Chain-L instructs and you will be amazed. This stuff lasts forever. I live at the base of a 3800 ft mountian so I ride in either dusty or muddy conditions (seasonal) every day or so. All the other lubes I used required clean off, blow off with air, and relube every ride to make a chain last. With Chain-L I can ride 4-6 rides with only a wipe down with a rag. Then just a light touch-up of lube is all that is needed. It's saving time! I just went for a three hour wet, rainy, muddy ride and had no trouble at all! Hosed the cain off and dryed it. It still runs quiet. Amazing! These condtions would completely clean other lubes out and leavbe the drivetrain useless.
i was cleaning and lubing my chain for the first time and accidentally got some on my rear brake rotor...
i didnt notice till i test rode it and could not lock up the rear wheel Read More »
I have read a lot of threads regarding chain lube, but have not been able to find any regarding what to use on the pivots of a derailleur. Any suggestions? Read More »
What do you guys use?
I came across these 2 which I've never tried.
- Rock N Roll Extreme Lube
[url=http://www.mtbr.com/cat/accessories/lube/rock-n-roll/extreme-chain/prd_3523 Read More »
l don't care what you say --- this is the best way to clean N lube a bike..
[url=http://vimeo.com/33946564]GNARLUBE How To Lube Your Chain on Vimeo[/url]
if you have a pro Read More »
Hi,
I was looking at lubes for my MTB cycle: I am in a coastal region. My LBS has finish line ceramic wet lube and finish wet lube. I looked up some of the articles online and a Read More »
