I've been nursing an old bottle of Nashbar brand dry lube, and it's actually good stuff. Problem is, it doesn't really dry fully. it gets down to a lightly tacky feel. After every ride, it's coated in our local moon dust and is noisy, the lube having been unceremoniously sucked right out of the chain. Time to find something better. What works well for these super dry and fine dust conditions? I did a search and found a thread, but the last post was 7 years ago and the industry moves fast, so I thought I'd start something new.
What is the magic sauce chain lube for the valley?
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I’ve been waxing my chain with a crock pot and I must say it’s going pretty well and doesn’t take any more effort than what I used to do.
Before waxing I used Dumonde Tech Lite which worked well but didn’t hold up as long on my gravel bike where I sometimes do 30+ miles on the canal trails.
Instructions for cleaning then waxing can be found here Home - Zero Friction Cycling.
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Before waxing I used Dumonde Tech Lite which worked well but didn’t hold up as long on my gravel bike where I sometimes do 30+ miles on the canal trails.
Instructions for cleaning then waxing can be found here Home - Zero Friction Cycling.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Rock n Roll Gold
Squirt really is the sh*t though. Costs about twice as much but hey!
Squirt really is the sh*t though. Costs about twice as much but hey!
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1,005 Posts
Squirt dry lube chain wax.
I use the normal version in dry summer and the cold version in muddy winter.
I'm really happy with it. My chains last much longer and it is very easy to clean the chain and cogs.
I use the normal version in dry summer and the cold version in muddy winter.
I'm really happy with it. My chains last much longer and it is very easy to clean the chain and cogs.
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20,153 Posts
x2. Squirt for sure, won't never go back to teflon or petroleum products. Wax rules!
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7,463 Posts
I wax my chains now, then use squirt for maintanence until it's time to strip and rewax... I used to use rock n roll
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Dumond Tech Lite is really good and I have used it for years.
I bought a small bottle of Wolftooth WT-1 (SCC chain lube) and it is just as good as the Dumond and I will keep on using it after my Dumond bottle runs dry.
I have used WPL and Maxima as well and I would rate them in that order and a notch below Dumond and WT/SCC. Neither one is garbage just seems like they need to be applied more frequently than the other two.
The Maxima smells quite nice though if you are looking for any bonuses from your chain lube.
I bought a small bottle of Wolftooth WT-1 (SCC chain lube) and it is just as good as the Dumond and I will keep on using it after my Dumond bottle runs dry.
I have used WPL and Maxima as well and I would rate them in that order and a notch below Dumond and WT/SCC. Neither one is garbage just seems like they need to be applied more frequently than the other two.
The Maxima smells quite nice though if you are looking for any bonuses from your chain lube.
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I've been looking at the new Allied Grax. https://alliedcycleworks.com/collections/grax It has really good reviews and lasts a long time.
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502 Posts
Dry lube is a misnomer, and a lot of BS. The desert is a very dusty place and no place for a wet OR WAXY chain. Most lubes, wet or dry, collect gunk. Dispose of everything you think you know of lube, and pick up some Prolink, pro-gold . Roll the bike over, wipe the chain completely clean before you lube it, and then again after you service it. Completely wipe it dry. The only parts that need lube are the surfaces you cant access with a towel. You will never have a dirty cassette again. I service mine maybe every 5-10 rides.
Ceramicspeed UFO Drip (new formula).
It's wax based drip lube that works in dry and dusty condition because it's completely dry off in 24 hours after application. It's dryer than Silca Super Secret Lube, Smoove etc. It has two quirks for me:
1) The chain must be super clean to the metal before first application. I clean the chain with mineral spirit and alcohol multiple time.
2) The proper application process is to apply 1-2 drop per link, squeeze it with your fingers to push it into the chain. Then let dry for 24 hours before the ride. Meaning the practice of applying lube before the ride doesn't work. Even ride in rain on Saturday, then reapply lube for Sunday morning ride is a no go as it's less than 24 hours. For that case, I drop my chain in melt wax instead as those hot melt wax cure and ready to use within 10s of minutes.
It's wax based drip lube that works in dry and dusty condition because it's completely dry off in 24 hours after application. It's dryer than Silca Super Secret Lube, Smoove etc. It has two quirks for me:
1) The chain must be super clean to the metal before first application. I clean the chain with mineral spirit and alcohol multiple time.
2) The proper application process is to apply 1-2 drop per link, squeeze it with your fingers to push it into the chain. Then let dry for 24 hours before the ride. Meaning the practice of applying lube before the ride doesn't work. Even ride in rain on Saturday, then reapply lube for Sunday morning ride is a no go as it's less than 24 hours. For that case, I drop my chain in melt wax instead as those hot melt wax cure and ready to use within 10s of minutes.
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Dumound Tech Lite here as well, as advised from this forum.
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42,068 Posts
Choose a lube. Be a **** about it.
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I was thinking the same thing. Funny thing is the Progold recommendation is not even good as it is pretty much a generic lube that would most likely have the same problems they are railing against.
Wax, either applied through an applicator or hot melt is always going to be superior in every way for dusty riding because wax actually repels dirt. Oil based lubes can work too but they require a lot more frequent application.
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Once you go wax you will never go back. Check out the link I referenced above for recommendations, either hot wax or applicator.
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