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Submitted by
Gwidon
a Cross Country Rider
from UK
Date Reviewed: February 11, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$5.00 | | Strengths: | It is clean | | Weaknesses: | Hmm... Doesn't work AT ALL? | | Similar Products Used: | FL cross country | | Bottom Line: | When it's cold, you can't apply it because it doesn't lube the chainlinks and cloggs up the nozzle of the bottle. When it's warmed up, it spurts all over the place and is hard to clean off from everywhere except where it's supposed to stay. And yes - I did follow the instructions - everything was thoroughly degreased, and I mean THOROUGHLY (I spent a few hours making sure everything was clean). There was not a grain of dirt in the chain either. Still, the lube lasts about 30 minutes - can't say for sure because it takes me 40 minutes to get to work and it's already gone when I get there. Even when I reapply after every single ride, after a week the whole chain (and I mean EVERY SINGLE BLOODY CHAINLINK) is rusty, and so are the cogs. The only place where it actually stays put is between the cogs. But it doesn't seem to prevent rust anyway. The whole bottle of this junk lasted 2 weeks. There is no way I'm buying another one - I want my bike to last a little longer. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bikerdom
a Cross Country Rider
from NH
Date Reviewed: October 25, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | the one I'm on | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$16.00 | | Purchased At: | by the quart online | | Strengths: | Great winter lube. Clean. | | Weaknesses: | Needs to be kept warm(indoors) or won't mix properly. | | Similar Products Used: | Pedro's Ice wax(summer use)& extra dry, Finish Line teflon plus, TriFlo, many others over the years. | | Bike Setup: | Rocky Mountain ETSX70 SRAM XO & XTR drive train, XTR/Mavic wheelset, RockShox REBA Team & Fox Float RL suspension, Easton seatpost bar & stem, WTB98 ti saddle, IRC Mythos & Notos tyres | | Bottom Line: | Great winter bike lube if properly applied. Must be kept shaken and warm or clotting will occur at nozzle tip while applying. My bikes and lubes are serviced & stored in heated indoors so this isn't really an issue to this user.
I ride all winter in New England and this lube has served me well. It's a little thin for my taste in the summer so I use Pedro's. I don't have shifting or excessive wear issues when using Race Day and my drive train stays clean of ice ups and rust.
It's October 25th and we just had our first ice storm so it's time to break out the Race Day. Soon the Nokian studded tyres. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Erik
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: August 19, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | More water-resistant than orginal WL | | Weaknesses: | If chilled, even if this is before you buy it, it will precipitate out a lot of solids, which will clog the nozzle and, presumably, never have the chance to bond onto the surface of your chain. | | Similar Products Used: | White Lightning, Finish Line Dry, Pedros Ice Wax, Tri-Flow, Pro-Link, Rock-n-roll | | Bottom Line: | Yack. Not worth it. The precipitation of the solids is common and compormises the product. Regular WL is much more effective compared to Race Day, after the Race Day loses its suspended solids. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mark wilson
a Cross Country Rider
from plymouth, mn
Date Reviewed: December 31, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | f trail rodalben germany | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$7.00 | | Purchased At: | AAFES | | Strengths: | CLEAN!and keeps chain clean and lubed for maximum performance. If directions are followed this works well in most conditions. | | Weaknesses: | Temperature sensitive. Can cause build up on chain rings and cogs. | | Similar Products Used: | pedros, kryotech, tri flow, phil tenacions, | | Bike Setup: | two both with chains | | Bottom Line: | I agree with the previous posting that chain lube pretty much needs to be applied everytime you ride unless you use the wetlubes and then everything is filthy from the crud they collect. This runs clean and shifts smooth if you clean off the excess. In colder weathe it congeals and doesn't work well so I switch in the winter. It's a great all around lube except in colder weather. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Art
a Cross Country Rider
from Palo Alto, CA
Date Reviewed: September 21, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$5.00 | | Purchased At: | various places | | Strengths: | It is much cleaner than oil based products. | | Weaknesses: | Really needs to be reapplied after each ride for best results. | | Similar Products Used: | Original WL | | Bike Setup: | Schwinn Moab, Giant NRS | | Bottom Line: | Works for me! The clogging problem can usually be solved by heating before application - hot water or your back pocket work just fine. Keeping it in a warm place (in the house, not out in the carport) seems to minimize the clotting. If you get a really gunky bottle, leave the top off til it evaporates and gets REALLY gunky -- then it stays put on pedals and such without dripping off before it can dry. Am using it on Eggbeaters and Speedplay roads that way.
My only problem was major chain suck after a whole day of riding in heavy rain - the chain was completely clean. Take the bottle if you're going out for a long ride in the rain. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Philadelphia
Date Reviewed: July 14, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Very clean, easy to apply, easy to remove. | | Weaknesses: | Very volatile petroleum distillate solvent base - don't leave this stuff in your trunk on a hot day. | | Similar Products Used: | Everything from motor oil to WD40 and numerous bike specific lubes. | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Jekyll, all XTR, Hayes HFX-9 hydros, Fox RL, Lefty 100mm, Wipperman stainless chain. | | Bottom Line: | First of all, anyone with any experience realizes that chains need to be lubricated EVERY RIDE to maximize shifting response and smoothness. The benefit of this lube is that it's durable over many miles of dirty riding, doesn't attract much debris, and is easily removed with soap and water. If you can't readily remove your chain, you need to get a Wipperman Connex or SRAM chain (Wipperman is much easier) so that you can soak your chain in solvent or soap and water to toally clean it. An added benefit is that your chain stays "clean" with this lube - no more black sh*t on your right leg. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan Roach
a Cross Country Rider
from Long Island NY
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | If it's got dirt I ride it! | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$8.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Well it's cheap, and... and... and... uh I think thats it, wait did I say it was cheap oh yeah I did I forgot while I was thinking or a strength for this stuff. | | Weaknesses: | It's a wax lube need I say more, The bottle is a pain and it clogs ALL THE TIME EVERY TIME I USED IT, it made a big mess out of my drive train and after using a toothbrush and some Finishline Ecotech and a chain cleaner I got this junk off, made my drive train sound like some one was eating cornflakes in it you know the sound if you've used this stuff CRUNCH...SQUEAK...CRUNCH...SQUEAK, and to top it all off it atracks dirt and you have to have a clean dry dive train to apply this junk I think thats it for ths column! | | Similar Products Used: | Finishline Dry Teflon lube, Rock N Roll Extreme, 3 in 1 Houshold oil | | Bike Setup: | 02 Specialized StumJumper FSR XC | | Bottom Line: | I HATE WAX LUBES AND WILL NEVER TRY IT AGAIN!!! This stuff is junk all the people who told me they use wax and love it is crazy. This crap made a waxy mess out of my drivetrain and cost me about an entire bottle of Ecotech just to get it off! It atracted dirt worse than an oil based lube in dry conditions and then they tell you you have to have a clean drive train to apply this stuff. Who's the retard who invented this stuff he must have spent more time cleaning his bike than riding it Damn. Yes I followed the instructions I cleaned my drivetrain and then apllied it and allowed it to dry (overnight) before using the bike. Thank god someone invented Rock N Roll lube for wet conditions because if they didn't I'd have to use oil based lubes again during the rainy season here. As for wax lubes the next time I want wax I'll buy a candle and drip some of that in my drivetrain instead of this crap. I'll give it two chil's for value due to it's cheap (it's only stength) but this stuff is some of the worst excuse for a lube I've seen so far. I've used Finishline dry teflon for more than three years and if wasn't for the fact that it doesn't work well in wet conditions I would never had the displeasure of trying this hot flaming piece of garbage, Wet lube my a$$ PEACE! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: September 27, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Porcupine rim! | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | 9.00 | | Strengths: | It rocks! Very clean running, nice and quiet drive-train | | Weaknesses: | Does'nt last so long, but good even for 40km rides. | | Similar Products Used: | whitelightning, FL wax lube, FL cross-country | | Bike Setup: | Marin Rift-Zone, XT-LX, Mavic D321 rims, Tioga 2.1DH tyres, Kore stem, risers, Hope C2 hydro discs, 8inch up front (the best brakes ever made) | | Bottom Line: | super easy to apply, super easy to clean, just pour boiling water over the chain (not getting any on bottom bracket, tyres etc) and your done! no messy degreasers, better for the environment too. As for all those having trouble with blocking nozels, just put the jug on, make a cup of coffee (is there a better drink in the world?) and put your lube in another cup with boiling water. Once your coffee's finished, all the wax in the raceday is melted, and it runs on like water, no need to ream out the nozzle. Bottom line, this stuffs the s*#t! Sure you need to re-apply after nearly every ride, but you won't find another lube that runs so clean, no matter what the ride, or is so easy to clean off the chain and cogs, | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Nova Scotia
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Very clean lube. Much cleaner than any wet lube.
Long lasting | | Weaknesses: | Hard to get out of the bottle - but I have the solution (read on)!
Doesn't last as long as a wet lube in mud or winter conditions. | | Similar Products Used: | Finish line krytech, cross country, original white lightning ice wax, prolink, etc. | | Bike Setup: | 99 explosif, good component mix. | | Bottom Line: | Here is how to get it to flow out of the bottle (very annoying problem):
-pop off the nozzle and squirt a good amount of solvent (acetone works well for me) in there to dissolve the wax chunks. Put a ball bearing in there while you're at it (so you can mix it like a can of spray paint). This worked well for me, and the lube just as well (the acetone evaporates a couple seconds after application). Just dont smoke while applying it!
I'm a big fan of this lube. I used the original WL when it came out. That stuff is good too, but you have to relube often (especially in mud). Raceday is essentially original WL with some oil added, which makes it a better solution for wet places - though it will still come off in heavy mud.
Once you get it out of the bottle it works great, keeps the chain very clean (slightly more buildup than original WL). It will easy last for 5+ hours of good riding.
I bought into the "hype" around prolink when it came out, and bought it directly from the company. It doesn't work as well as WL raceday. Its dirtier (no self cleaning), and doesn't last as long (mud easily kills it). Though it may work well for drier conditions
I'm still looking for a lube last can last longer than this. The only possible contender is the rock n' roll lube or the old boeshield (haven't tried them yet).
I've tested the folowing lubes, (from worst to best):
-icewax
-FL krytech
-prolink
-FL cross country (great wet lube - but too dirty)
-original white lightning
-white lightning raceday.
It seems most people hate this stuff because its so hard to get out of the damn bottle (I agree that its a big flaw). Hopefully my little tip helps a few people. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian Crawford
a Racer
from Newcastle, NSW, Aust
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | single trail racing | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$5.00 | | Purchased At: | Yahoo auctions | | Strengths: | Very good lube
used racing in mud, rain (there is a difference), dust and long rides.
great lube | | Weaknesses: | IT DOESN'T COME OUT!!!
| | Similar Products Used: | WL, Teflon lube | | Bike Setup: | XT Level Sintessi | | Bottom Line: | WL have used the same bottle as the regular stuff. RD is gritty and very hard to get out of the bottle.
I had my best success using precision screw drivers cause they get incrementaly bigger.
I've just learnt to pull the top out, and widen the hole from the inside.
Its great stuff when on the chain | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
pat pisanello
a
from albany ny
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$9.00 | | Purchased At: | mail order | | Strengths: | super slick,durable,works in the cold | | Weaknesses: | you can get a batch where the wax forms tiny balls that clog the tip. the company will rectify this or use a strainer like i did | | Similar Products Used: | everything that attracts filth | | Bike Setup: | stumpjumper | | Bottom Line: | i rode all winter with this stuff. It was the answer to a dream(slick and clean). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom M
a Cross Country Rider
from Sacramento
Date Reviewed: November 29, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | all of them | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$6.00 | | Purchased At: | bike store | | Strengths: | lubes OK, keeps chain clean, lasts for one 20 mile ride in favorable conditions. | | Weaknesses: | 1) poor nozzle because it clogs
2) not too good in severe dust or mud | | Similar Products Used: | ice wax, tri flow, finish line wet | | Bike Setup: | KHS Comp | | Bottom Line: | 1)Ream the nozzle open a bit with a nail or drill
2)shake, dribble on chain
3)when it clogs, point up (away from your face) and clear nozzle with a good squeeze
4)shake, dribble on chain, repeat
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
hardtailer
a Cross Country Rider
from Uxbridge Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 20, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$8.00 | | Purchased At: | Bay Cycle Pickering Ontario | | Strengths: | goes on smooth, keeps my drivetrain smooth | | Weaknesses: | none, that's why I use it. | | Bike Setup: | KHS Alite 100 / '00 model / shimano 8 speed | | Bottom Line: | It's great for taking with you and aplying before the race (hence the name race day). It goes on and stays on so smooth. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Darrell
a Cross Country Rider
from canada
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$8.00 | | Strengths: | none | | Weaknesses: | the bottle does not let the lube come out | | Bottom Line: | the bttom line is that white lightning race day is the wrost lube you could buy | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
micki
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle
Date Reviewed: October 9, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$8.00 | | Strengths: | Keeps the chain, cogs, and rings looking clean! | | Weaknesses: | Components became noisy, you have to unclog the nozzle a lot. | | Similar Products Used: | Finish Line both wet and dry, Triflow | | Bike Setup: | Univega Modo Vincere, Schwinn Mesa GS | | Bottom Line: | I commute and ride for fun in Seattle and put a lot of miles on my drivetrain so I put Raceday on both of my bikes hoping to reduce some of the time I spent cleaning chains and cogs. It does keep the chain really clean and looking new which I liked, especially on the road bike. However, after a few rides the drive train of the Univega became so noisy it irritated me, so I went back to a wet lube. I have just resigned myself to the fact that I'll have to clean the chain more often and it's not going to look as pretty. Oddly enough, I still have the stuff on the Mesa where so far it has not exhibited the same kind of noisiness. Be careful
not to make the opening in the nozzle too large while trying to unclog it because then the stuff will come out too fast. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben
a Weekend Warrior
from Nashua, NH
Date Reviewed: June 19, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Seems to work well in the mud, rain, etc.. | | Weaknesses: | Haven't been using it long enough to know about build-up | | Bike Setup: | Giant Iguana SE | | Bottom Line: | I used a WD-40 type cleaner and then applied Raceday. I also put a little bit in my clipless pedals. It made a big difference on the pedals. Then I went and rode in the mud and rain for 2 1/2 hours with no problem at all... so I'm pretty happy.
We'll see how it handles the daily commute... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Poplawski
a Cross Country Rider
from Victoria, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Simple to use, decent lubrication considering it is wax, protects your gear | | Weaknesses: | Product needs to be stored at room temperature, RD bottle could use a better opening | | Similar Products Used: | Oil/teflon lubes, Pedro's Ice Wax | | Bike Setup: | 99 Cannondale R500, 97 Giant Innova, 97 Giant ATX 870 | | Bottom Line: | I use both White Lightning and White Lightning Race Day and I'm quite satisfied with both. Using wax has kept me from making a mess of my home and clothes and I believe my drivetrains have been protected well based on how well they still work after what they go through, especially my commuter bike. Highly recommended, but make sure these products are warm and mixed well before applying them.
If I raced, I would probably be more concerned with performance, but these products are great for people who want to protect their bikes, keep them running smoothly for a long time and keep themselves clean. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff Allen
a Weekend Warrior
from Edmonton Alberta Canada
Date Reviewed: April 13, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Edmonton River Valley | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Lubes really well, but I agree no cold weather. After all Im from Canada Eh! | | Weaknesses: | Needs a bigger hole in the bottle | | Similar Products Used: | Finish Line | | Bike Setup: | Norco Road Custom Rebuilt | | Bottom Line: | I hear every one complain and I don't think there will ever be an ultimate lube! But this works preaty darn well.
the only problem I have had is the hole in the top. Hopefully they will correct this but for all those that give this product a crappy review because of it annoy me. Pop out the spout and use a nail or a small drill bit and widen the hole. i did this it took me a few minutes to do and it works awesome now.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stephen
a Weekend Warrior
from St. James, Ny
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | All of them | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | -Worked great in Spring, Summer and Fall.
-Very Clean Chain.
-Drive Train Works Great.
-700 Miles on chain very little wear and tear.
-Works awsome when directions are followed.
| | Weaknesses: | -You must warms the bottle up or it won't come out (It's wax remember)
-A little rust on the chain after riding in the snow (probaly from the salt thrown down) might try a winter time lube.
| | Similar Products Used: | Finish line, whitelighting | | Bike Setup: | GT-LTS 3000 | | Bottom Line: | This product is very good in most conditions, that conditions being snow after salt trucks have been through.
You must warm this product and shake it and it comes out in a very fine liquid that goes awsome on your chain.
I like to ride in the rain and have had no problems with this product. I'm your average joe biker and found this product to be very good since my drive train is still working awsome I can't believe the bad reviews people have been giving it.
Try cleaning your drive train with simplegreen and let it dry before putting this on, this way you start with a prefectly clean chain. It may look like this gunks up but that's how it works. (It's a wax lube!)
There's alot of sand where I ride and this stuff seems to hold up excellent in these conditions. White lighting regular lube seems to work similar this just last long. I still lube once every two rides and this has lasted the longest. Other lubes I had to relube every ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
gary
a Racer
from socal
Date Reviewed: February 18, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | does its job better than anythin else i've tried | | Weaknesses: | leaves residue, but just wipe it off and your ok | | Similar Products Used: | regular WL, finish line, tri-flow | | Bike Setup: | 21lb hardtail racer | | Bottom Line: | I cant believe the low rating for this product. People, ya gotta learn to use it right, and it will be the best lube you've had. You have to occasionally scrub your chain, cassette and chainrings to get all the crud off, get a park scrubber ($5) and clean that cassette!
here's a tip from the heaad mech at my shop: get three large ball bearings and a red straw from a wd-40 can.
lift the apllicator niple from the WL raceday bottle and put the ball bearings in, shove the red straw through the applicator and you will have a pinpoint system that does not clog up when you shake the bottle. you can use a thumbtack to plug the straw.
one note: be careful not to use too much WL on you front derailleur, i had mine clump up and had to completely clean out, a wet lube would be better for the spings there. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick
a Cross-Country Rider
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: December 28, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Central Texas | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Nothing | | Weaknesses: |
Wouldnt come out & when it did it was clumped up | | Similar Products Used: |
Original white lighting | | Bike Setup: |
the chain on my bike | | Bottom Line: | I couldnt get anything to come out of the hole. I kept sticking bigger nails down the hole to clear it up. When it finally did come out is shot out a bunch of clear liquid, spewed these white clumps everywhere & then clogged back up. Its junk! I have been using the original for years & love it. Dont buy the raceday. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mtncranker
a Cross-Country Rider
from la mirada, ca
Date Reviewed: November 9, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Weaknesses: |
The wax clumps in the fluid carrier, clogs the dispenser hole, and will not re-dissolve in the fluid. Impossible to dispense, useless! | | Bottom Line: | I normally use white lightning, and only use raceday for wet rides. My bottle of RD has been siting in my garage for several months. When I went to use it yesterday, the wax had clumped into what looked like cheese curd, and would not re-dissolve into the fluid carrier. The spout clogged, and the RD would not dispense. What a waste! White Lightning needs to ensure that their product has a reasonable shelf life...but I'm not buying it again! One flaming chili for an unusable product! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Craig
a Weekend Warrior
from Jupiter,fl
Date Reviewed: August 18, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Santos | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
That's a tough one, er give me some time to find something---I can't | | Weaknesses: |
Applicator too small for product
Greasy wax buidup
NOT cheap
seems to encourage chain suck | | Similar Products Used: |
regular White Lightning
Pedro Ice Wax
Tri=Flow
Slick 50 | | Bike Setup: |
Mongoose alum. hardtail
Zoke Z2 | | Bottom Line: | A poor excuse for a follow up to original WL. It may last longer in the wet but that's the only advantage.
I'm going back to a petro based lube, will stick with Slick 50 for now.Don't get sucked into this one. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Charlei
a Cross-Country Rider
from Sunnyvale, CA
Date Reviewed: July 8, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Canada de Pala | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
stays on longer than regular While Lightning | | Weaknesses: |
Impossible to get out of the bottle. Doesn't stay on longer than 2-3 hours in dust. Washes out fast in water (like all waxes) | | Similar Products Used: |
Pedro's Ice Wax, Synlube, Extra Dry
TriFlow
White Lightning
Krytech | | Bike Setup: |
Klein HT with Speedgoat forx, USE seat post. | | Bottom Line: | There is something about Race Day that clogs the hole in the squeeze bottle. I enlarged the hole, but it still got clogged. I added a little Race Day into a bottle with a lot of White Lightning and it got clogged. I wonder if this stuff would work as a tube puncture-proofer. I'm serious - from 45 deg. to 95 deg., this stuff simply doesn't want to come out of its container.
Two flamers because if you cut open the bottle and pour it on the chain, it works well for a couple hours (which is a lot longer than regular White Lightning). | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Tampa, FL
Date Reviewed: June 11, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
tested or demo'ed only | | Similar Products Used: |
Regular White Lightning for past 3 years, various other wet-lubes prior to that | | Bike Setup: |
'96 Klein Pulse Comp, upgraded everything, '99 Judy XC | | Bottom Line: | I bought this stuff figuring it was going to be better than regular White Lightning (which I love), especially since it cost $3 more. Wrong. I expected a dry lube, which this really didn't seem to be. I'll admit I didn't give it much of a chance - I only used it for one day before switching back to regular White Lightning. It seemed to hang on to sand like a wet lube, whereas the regular stuff sheds it. That was enough fo me. If you like White Lightning, I say stick with it - don't waste your money with this new stuff. I'm over-rating this at three only on the chance it's got some redeeming qualities that I didn't discover in the short time I used it. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a Cross-Country Rider
from Bay Area & Bavaria
Date Reviewed: April 3, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Lubes well if conditions are dry. | | Weaknesses: |
Comes off easily in wet weather, chain rust can set in after just one ride without immediate clean up and re-lubing.
Quick build up of residue/gunk.
Hard to apply if cold because of clogged up bottle neck. | | Similar Products Used: |
Wd-40, FinishLine | | Bottom Line: | Only use in dryand warm conditions. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a weekend warrior
from Ny
Date Reviewed: March 3, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I've just finished a bottle of WL Raceday. I just bought a bottle of Krytech.
The WL was great before the winter came so during dry periods I'm going to get it again if Krytech isn't good enough. I found rust on my chain, that's from salting the roads. But the lub has kept the chain pretty clean. It stays pretty new looking obviously there's some dirt and gunk. My chain has alway shifted smoothly and your suposed to lube your chain after every ride anyway. So only thing I found bad about it was the fact of rust and increase gunk of winter riding but that's expected if you ride in mud and snow.So 4 doggy dungs - 1 one for rust on my chain! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
pheesher
a cross-country rider
from Tempe, Az
Date Reviewed: January 10, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I've used all kinds of lubes since moving to arizona; motor oil (waaaaaaaay too dirty), WD-40 (big mistake; i was a rookie), WL standard and raceday, Finish Line Krytech (works well- for the first five miles), and Tri-flow. Tri-flow and WL are the only ones that work well. i gave up on using standard WL, though, simply because the maintenance intervals were too short, despite the fact that I really DIDN'T have to clean the chain. Tri-flow doesn't last quite as long WL Raceday, but it doesn't leave dried, gunky wax deposits on the deraileur wheels like WL raceday does. it also does better in the wet (not commonly a problem here), but, being an oil, it rubs off onto clothing, legs, and other whatnot more than WL raceday does. Raceday lasts longer in the dry stuff, and although it rubs off on clothing some, it doesn't as much as Tri-flow. It also attracts slightly less dirt. both Tri-flow and WL raceday are semi-self cleaning; they'll float any dirt to the top of the chain, so before a ride you can wipe down the chain, reapply lube, and keep rolling. every month or two i'll do a complete drivetrain cleaning, just to catch any junk i might not have caught before. now, i mix and match the lubes, depending on conditions (wet ride=tri-flow, dry ride=WL). WL goes on the deraileur pivot bolts, tri-flow goes on the brake and shift cables, and i also use tri-flow to lube the resi-wiper seal on my rockshox indy fork. tri-flow is cheaper than WL raceday, but both are more than worth the price. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Todd McIntosh
a racer
from Palm Desert, CA
Date Reviewed: December 16, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
If you want a lube for dry conditions, this is the best. It penetrates the chainlinks better than most wax lubes and stays there. It needs to be applied every ride, but so does any lube. Don't expect this lube to hold up under wet conditions. It's not made to. If you race under wet conditions use a wet lube like tri-flow and maybe even use a little grease on your chain. You need to clean your drivetrain after a muddy race anyway. Canadians and Easterners may not like this lube, but in the So-Cal desert it is superior. I here bad revies about this product from other riders on MTBR who expect a chain lube to work for weeks and never need cleaning. Wake up guys! That kind of lube doesn't exist. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Carl Costin
a downhiller
from Australia
Date Reviewed: October 28, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Good Points:
- Keeps chain super clean
- Lubricates well in short term
Bad Points:
- Has to be reapply sooner than other lubes I have used
- Comes off easily in wet conditions
- Not really cheap, as you have to apply lots of it and reapply lotsWork it out for yourself but I was getting shitty from having to clean my chain tooo much, and this stuff keeps it nice and clean.
3 Chilies 1 lost for reapplying, and 1 for cost. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
The Beast
a cross-country rider
from The East
Date Reviewed: October 17, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Ok these reviews are makin me mad. White lightning is a lube SYSTEM. that means that you can and should use normal white lightning and raceday for changing situation. However, you Must have the chain super clean before the first application. The best way to do this is to use any degreaser (like simplegreen) then follow this up by a rinse in a solvent like mineral spirits, or best - laquer thinner. Once the chain is super clean its ready.
Another aparent mistake from the uninlightened it how much to put on. You only need a few drops over the whole chain, and apply it the way they tell ya, so it gets in the links! If there is much remaining wipe it off! Then let it dry at least 20 minutes, and you're good to go!
If you follow these directions you shouldn't have to clean your chain unless you get it covered in mud. Thats the best thing about WL, its self cleaning, unlike pedro's ice wax, which looks clean but keeps all the dirt and grit where it shouldn't be. Krytech is alright until it wears off after 20 minutes into you're ride, which is UNSAT.
I'll admit WL has its downfalls, its not geat in long wet rides - reapplication needed. It is awful as a winter lube, as any wax will be, because it becomes too britle and falls off quickly. Instead use the old wet lube in winter (like finish line cross counrty) where the corrosion resistance is important.
The new lube I would like to try is prolink, which seems to have the benefit of both WL and wet lubes. Dont take my word for it though, check it out at www.bikesite.com under killer luber II. I cant find the stuff anywhere yet, though.
Until something comes around thats better, the white lightning system is the best out there, it also SAVES you money because your drivetrain lasts longer. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dilbert
a racer
from Somerset, KY
Date Reviewed: October 13, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
White Lightning Race Day is an awesome racing lube for even the worst of conditions. A simple dab in the pivots will keep everything flowing smoothly even in the worst of conditions. I raced a day of which there was sand on the course and the fresh rain had brought sandy mud to everywhere. So, expecting my derailer to gaum up, I anticipated the worst. Amazingly, even in the 7th mile, the white lightning kept all clean except for the derailer pullies and brought me to... well, not a win, but darn my back still ran well.
So, I givee this product a four star because it worked but It still could have shed jut a littl emore mud | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Don
a cross-country rider
from Dallas
Date Reviewed: September 17, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I loved the original White Lightning and then switched to Race day because it was supposed to last longer. Well, it may do that but my chain is constantly black and gunky. Rookie marks galore on my leg, sock and shoe. I think I will go back to regular White Lightning just for the way it keeps everything looking like new, including my leg. I don't mind applying it after every ride if it keeps me from having a big black mess. I like cleane white wax flakes much better than black greasy ones. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
KRUSTY
a weekend warrior
from CONNECTICUT
Date Reviewed: August 26, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I DON'T KNOW HOW THE MANUFACTURER CAN MAKE THE CLAIM OVER AND OVER AGAIN THAT CHAIN CLEANING IS NOT REQUIRED. THIS STUFF SEEMS TO LUBRICATE PRETTY WELL BUT TRAIL GRIME STICKS LIKE CRAZY. AFTER A SHORT 10 MILE RIDE IN SOMEWHAT DRY CONDITIONS MY CHAIN WAS FILTHY. I WIPED THE CHAIN DOWN TO REMOVE THE EXCESS DIRT, NOT MUD MIND YOU, RELUBED FOR THE NEXT RIDE RODE AGAIN AND THE CHAIN WAS DIRTIER THAN BEFORE. REMEMBER CONNECTICUT SINGLE TRACKS ARE NOT DESERT CONDITIONS. I HAD BEEN USING PEDRO'S EXTRA DRY CHAIN LUBE FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS AND TRIED RD. I'LL STICK TO PEDRO'S. MAYBE RD IS GOOD IN PROPER LAB CONDITIONS FOR ITS CLAIMED CLEANING PROPERTIES? | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Buff The Stuff
a
from Tucson, AZ
Date Reviewed: August 16, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I picked up a bottle of Race Day only because my LBS was out of regular
White Lightning. From the other reviews and my own experience, it seems
pretty much unanimous that this stuff is messy, but lasts longer than regular
White Lightning. It takes me about 30 seconds to drip more regular White
Lightning onto my chain, but it takes me a couple of hours to clean my chain,
rear cassette, derailleur, and chainrings, so I'll stick to the origional.
Maybe if I had my own personal mechanic who could clean my bike after every
ride, I could use the RaceDay, then again, if I could afford my own personal
mechanic, I'd be changing drivetrains as often as I clean my chain. The thing
about RaceDay that pisses me off is that I had to start carrying a shoprag
with me on my rides because if I flatted, fixing it turned into an incredible
mess. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chucko
a weekend warrior
from Silicon Valley, USA
Date Reviewed: August 5, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
After experimenting with White Lightning (original), I was disappointed with the lubricity, so I tried the Raceday version.Raceday is a better lubricant than WL, but you still have to use a lot of it, it picks up more grime off the trail, and you still wind up with waxy buildup.I'm trying a home-brew concoction of original WL and 90 weight gear oil now. It seems to have some of the same properties as Raceday, but smells worse. At least it's cheaper. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt Smith
a racer
from Eden Ut
Date Reviewed: July 10, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This Lube works very very good but there is some down falls to it the wax part that is in it gums up so you really need to clean and re lube each time you ride other wise it is like scraping gum off your carpet trying to get it off your pulleys the best thing to clean your chain with is simpel green it works great | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul kelleher
a
from weekend warrior
Date Reviewed: June 23, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Great but extremely sloppy on the chain causing a lot of chain clean ups.
But it makes my chain run friction free and smoothly. It's better then finish line!!!!!
I own a Huffy tulsa and it sucks!!!im only kidding!
HUFFYS KICK BUTT AND CAN WE PLEASE PUT AN REVIEW BOARD FOR THE HUFFY TULSA! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a cross-country rider
from Antioch, CA
Date Reviewed: April 18, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This is not a bad lube. It lasts a lot longer than plain vanilla White Lightning, keeps the chain pretty clean and quiet, holds up to water pretty well, and seems to provide decent corrosion protection. Although not as good as my favorite mountain bike lube, SuperLube, it is currently one of my favorites for road bikes. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jay
a cross-country rider
from Vancouver
Date Reviewed: February 15, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This is a marginal product in dry weather--above 50 degrees--but it sucks in the
wet! Wax cannot lubricate as well as oil--it just can't. However, it is very clean. If you put it on the night before you ride it works pretty well in the
dry, warm months. It is washed off just at the sight of rain.If you don't believe me, just ask an honest bike mechanic. It will work though,
but not like Finish Line or Tri-Flow. Two stars because it is so clean... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
big ring king
a downhiller
from so cal
Date Reviewed: February 6, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
this lube lube works great!! it doesn't last as long as the origanal but it's more high perfomance specifically for racing. i have not had any problems with my chain since i started useing WL and WL Raceday. it's the phatest lube around!!!!! i love the stuff. if you're a racer you gotta give this stuff a try!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bascomb
a cross-country rider
from Bennington, VT
Date Reviewed: January 4, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Decided to check out waterproof claim. Applied just before a ride in the rain a few days back. Temp was low thirties. No application problems. Rode in rain/sleet, very wet mucky conditions. Stuff didn't wash off and chain stayed clean. Rode another 2 hours today without relubing. Still smooth and clean. At almost $8, not cheap. But thumbs way up on Raceday. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rabid Rabbit
a cross-country rider
from Hole in Ground
Date Reviewed: January 4, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
White lightning raceday works very well. Original white lightning does suk - but raceday more than makes up for it. Stays on chain, even after riding 2 miles in a creek, then another half mile through a mudded gorge. Even after a nice power hose wash (yeah, I know I'm not suppose to) there was still remnants of raceday. The plus is that on dusty paths, it doesn't attract excess dirt like other lubes and waxes. It is a little more expensive, but then you don't have to use it as much, well at least I don't anyway. Five rags! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a racer
from Cranbury, NJ
Date Reviewed: December 8, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I found the new RD stuff to work as advertised. Lasted all day (no squeaks for 3+ hours) in nearby county park featuring mud, mud, mud. Amazing to me. I ride the area often & tried all kinds of stuff. Until now, nothing but straight grease lasted but good god whata mess! Regular WL lasts 1+ hour, WL+Triflow (my standard til now), maybe 2hrs. (As for the guy who found water and WD40 to work better on a machine: tests done on nice clean machines are silly. This pseudo-science was introduced by schwinn at Interbike. The schwinn stuff seems ok when clean, but it _never_ dries, so it picks up grit. (Actually, I recall that Prolong had an infomercial on TV doing the same kind of test. Wonder if they make Schwinn's stuff? Prolong does contain wax. You can bet your last dime that Schwinn doens't have a lube lab hidden out in Colorado!) | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Blitz
a cross-country rider
from Sterling, VA
Date Reviewed: December 6, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I got some of this stuff to use as a winter lube since I normally use the regular WL. It has work extreamly well the four rides I've gone on since applying it to the drive train. My one complaint is the durabilty since an application only has lasted me about 20 - 30 miles of use. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pete
a cross-country rider
from West Coast
Date Reviewed: November 16, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Like a lot of people I'm forever looking for a better chain lube. While I go back and forth between Boeshield and White Lightning, the new WL Race Day sounded like the best of both worlds: good, long lasting protection and reasonably clean. As far as riding was concerned, it probably did stay on a bit longer. On the other hand, it was very difficult to get it off of the bike when I cleaned it. Even Simple Green had a tough time cutting the waxy WL RD. Overall, I'm not impressed. I'm not sure about what the best lube to use is but, on my road bike I soak a spare chain in Boeshield and let it air dry for what can be weeks. When the existing chain gets dirty I swap them and soak the dirty one in a tin of simple green and start the process over again. It beats trying to clean and oil a chain while it's on the bike and those new master links make it faster as well.... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
TECHMAN
a racer
from FLORIDA
Date Reviewed: November 6, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
THIS IS THE WORST CHAIN GUE EVER INVENTED. IT HAS THE WORST E.P. LUBRICATION STRENGTH OF ALL OF THE LUBES. I TESTED THEM IN A LOAD BEARING MACHINE THAT IS MADE TO TEST LUBRICATION QUALITIES AND THE RESULTS WERE THAT EVEN WATER OR WD-40 HAS BETTER LUBRICATION QUALITIES THAN WHITE LIGHTNING. I HAVE FOUND A SCHWINN DRY WAX LUBE THAT WORKS BETTER THAN ANYTHING ELSE I'VE TESTED. IT LASTED OVER A COURSE OF FOUR RACES AND IN BETWEEN CLEAN UPS BEFORE HAVING TO RELUBE. | | Overall Rating: |
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