Chain Lube???? TRI-FLOW????

[falcon171]

How is Tri-Flow for lubing up my chain? It is really thin and smells like gun oil. I am Winnipeg now, where it is wet here and stuck doing mostly street/urban riding as Winnipeg sucks for MTB. If I do go to the DJ the soil is like clay which is like black gum that is hard to get off

[FatHack]

Triflow is great for cables, but not so good for the chain. It's a little too light. I would try a slightly heavier, but still light lube if you're not riding in muddy conditions. Try either, Perdos Extra dry or Finishline Dry lube. I'm also a fan of the Pedros Road Rage lube. Any of those listed will minimize your cleaning time b/c they don't leave a sticky mess, but will need to be applied more often.

[the flying moose]

White Lightening (http://www.johnhenrybikes.com/catalog.asp?whichpage=3&search=&mode=price&category=60&subcategory=0&item=1638)

Finish Line Teflon Lube (http://www.johnhenrybikes.com/catalog.asp?whichpage=&search=&mode=price&category=60&subcategory=0&item=1645)

Wrench Force Extra Dry Chain Lube (http://www.johnhenrybikes.com/catalog.asp?whichpage=3&search=&mode=price&category=60&subcategory=0&item=1650)

ive used all three and had no problems at all with any of them.

[sanrensho]

For most people, I wouldn't recommend White Lightning for wet conditions, even though I use it almost exclusively.

WL will wash away halfway through a wet ride and needs to be reapplied at least once before every ride. A heavier, wet lube is needed for really wet conditions.

[IFO]

they make chain lube for both WET or DRY conditions..

use any brand that makes that distinction... brand of lube isnt that critical as just making sure u do lube the chain..

[the flying moose]

Originally posted by sanrensho
For most people, I wouldn't recommend White Lightning for wet conditions, even though I use it almost exclusively.

WL will wash away halfway through a wet ride and needs to be reapplied at least once before every ride. A heavier, wet lube is needed for really wet conditions.

what would you recommend for wet conditions? i dont do alot of wet weather riding but im going to ride more this winter.

[sanrensho]

Originally posted by the flying moose
what would you recommend for wet conditions? i dont do alot of wet weather riding but im going to ride more this winter.

Any "wet" lube that has a lower mineral spirit content and higher oil content. In other words, a higher viscosity lube that flows reasonably "heavy." I just use the cheap Axiom (Norco) brand, but your LBS can recommend a specific wet conditions lube.

You can use WL in wet weather, but it requires more effort than most people want to deal with.

Ex: You lube with WL before every ride. WL washes away halfway through the ride. You get home and hose down your bike, dry your chain, then lube with WL. Repeat over for next ride.

[Desloc]

Triflow is great stuff, just a little messy for a chain lube.

For the last few wet seasons I have been using a product called Fluid Film...

http://www.eurekafluidfilm.com/product.htm

To my surprise, Fluid Film worked very well for at least 3 wet rides(the most I've gone for without reapplying). My only complaint would be that the lubed chain picks up a little bit of gunk if one over applies ;)... but overall it made for easy cleaning.


The next product on my list looks like a winner...


http://www.maximausa.com/products/chainlubes/chainwax.asp

http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Lube/product_88132.shtml



Des

[switch]

Triflow seems to work pretty well in the summer, but definitely needs applying before every ride. It also attracts dirt a fair bit for such a light oi.

I use the Phil Wood Tenacious oil for very wet conditions. It's as thick as pancake syrup and sticks around for the whole ride.

I'd really like to try the Pro Gold Prolink oil. Anyone know a place in the Vancouver area that sells it?

[Zedbra]

Originally posted by the flying moose
what would you recommend for wet conditions? i dont do alot of wet weather riding but im going to ride more this winter.

I know of a gem of a product for winter and wet riding. I've only seen it in a few shops but it works wicked. It's called: Crack Wax. Comes in a small round tin, and you apply it with a sponge. Put that on your chain, wipe off excess - they lube with regular dry lube (which I prefer year round for not gumming up chains). Crack Wax prevents stuff gumming in the chain, and its cheap. Try it.

[corey@nsmb.com]

I use Tri FLow, it's all I ever use.

It works well for me, wet and or dry. I find it is a "clean" lube, it doesn't gum up my drive train and derailleur and collect dirt and grit like some heavier lube's do.

I lube it every few rides, or after I wash the bike. Drivetrain always looks new, and feels clean.

[XXX_er]

I think triflow is too thin to stay on and not wash off

I use summer weight chainsaw oil (thicker than winterweight)from canadian tire,you can buy a quart of the stuff for 2 bucks ,fill all them empty little boutique sized little chain lube bottles you got kicking around and put one in yer car,on yer work bench,on the porch ... everywhere you need a bottle .

Some folks think it isnt specific/tough enough for the application but I would think splashing it on a hot chain and dragging it over a log at high speed would be at least as tough as riding a bike

and its WAAAAAY cheap

[trout]

Believe it or not...
A lot of chain "oils" (not the wax stuff) are actually re-bottled chain saw oil, winter and summer weight being the wet and dry viscosities. Chain saw oil is cheap, while little bottles of chain oil are not,

[XXX_er]

I seen generic stuff in 5gal pails at the general store in Likely for pretty cheap

bet you could make up a catchy label ,repackage the stuff and make a killing


when I was a kid I used chainsaw oil or 90wt hypoid gear oil on my dirtbikes... my dad had it sitting around and I just used what ever was thickest

[Oldfart]

Pro link. Get thee down to the MEC in Winnipeg and get some. It's thin but I've been using it exclusively for the past couple seasons and my chains are running longer. And the drivetrain stays a lot cleaner.

I hate. HATE that sticky Phil's goo or chainsaw oil. I might use that crap for a race in pouring rain, but not everyday use. Chainsaw chains run a little faster than than a bicycle chain and hotter too. Chainsaw lube on a bike is way overkill.

All chain lube is simply repackaged something else. The market for bicycle chain lube is pretty dang tinny and there is no way some one like Pedros would buy several barrels of crude oil, refine it, add additives and bottle it. Pedros buy it in bulk from Exxon/Shell or some other oil company.

I grew up in Winnipeg and I know of this mud of which you speak. We do not have mud in Vancouver. We have soup. Winnepeg gumbo will seriously prevent one from riding trails. You can literally pack up enough of that goo in around your frame and fork that you come to a stop within 3 meters. I've seen that goo in the Chilcotins too. When we were kids we would walk along the river bank and watch our feet grow to size 22 with mud shoes.

[FatHack]

Originally posted by Oldfart
Pro link. Get thee down to the MEC in Winnipeg and get some. It's thin but I've been using it exclusively for the past couple seasons and my chains are running longer. And the drivetrain stays a lot cleaner.

I hate. HATE that sticky Phil's goo or chainsaw oil. I might use that crap for a race in pouring rain, but not everyday use. Chainsaw chains run a little faster than than a bicycle chain and hotter too. Chainsaw lube on a bike is way overkill.

All chain lube is simply repackaged something else. The market for bicycle chain lube is pretty dang tinny and there is no way some one like Pedros would buy several barrels of crude oil, refine it, add additives and bottle it. Pedros buy it in bulk from Exxon/Shell or some other oil company.

I grew up in Winnipeg and I know of this mud of which you speak. We do not have mud in Vancouver. We have soup. Winnepeg gumbo will seriously prevent one from riding trails. You can literally pack up enough of that goo in around your frame and fork that you come to a stop within 3 meters. I've seen that goo in the Chilcotins too. When we were kids we would walk along the river bank and watch our feet grow to size 22 with mud shoes.

Not to be a stickler for details, but aren't most chain lubes synthetic? That would leave out the Fossil fuel giants. This is however, not to say that the lube isn't rebadged from another application.

[peachy-B]

I only use tri-flow and it's fine. i lube before every ride... and clean w/ a rag after every ride.

[Shmoe]

I just use tri-flow always, Ive never had any problems. Mind you, I dont live in Vancouver.

[Oldfart]

Synthetic stuff is still petroleum based I believe. Most plastics are made from oil.

[the flying moose]

Originally posted by Oldfart
Synthetic stuff is still petroleum based I believe. Most plastics are made from oil.

i believe you are correct. alot of synthetic stuff is made with petroleum. lycra, polyester, a ton of plastics etc.

[Frost]

Just a quick question....so the use of motorcycle chain lube is acceptable on a bike chain? If this is the case I have lots of it at home.

[switch]

Just a quick question....so the use of motorcycle chain lube is acceptable on a bike chain? If this is the case I have lots of it at home.Yes. Most chain oils are fine. Apply it lightly - just enough for your ride, and apply it before every ride. This will keep the chain lubricated, and it will cut down on the buildup of crud.

[Wayne P]

I use Tri FLow, it's all I ever use.

It works well for me, wet and or dry. I find it is a "clean" lube, it doesn't gum up my drive train and derailleur and collect dirt and grit like some heavier lube's do.

I lube it every few rides, or after I wash the bike. Drivetrain always looks new, and feels clean.

Me too!! We should get married.

I only use thin lube, but sometimes I'll nerd out and use a wax lube over top of the thinner stuff as a protective barrier.

[SEKTER13]

For the past lil while ive been using White Lightning "Epic", its apparently for wet conditions too. It seems to work fine. Normally I use Prolink Gold, for the conditions here it works great, doesnt guck everything up.

[Silk]

Here is my Lube

1. Go to any grocery store pick up a box of Parafin Wax "in the baking section"

2. Go to Canadian Tire and get a large container of Colman Lantern fuel "with the rust inhibitor" Then go to the automotive department get a nice bottle of 10W40 syn lube

3. get a mason jar and fill about half way up to the top with Parafin wax and then fill to
almost the top with the Lantern fuel close and give it a shake. Now over the next day give that container a shake every time you walk by it. over the next 24 hours the wax will disolve to a point where the the lantern fuel can no longer disolve the wax.

4. shake your mixture, let the undisolved wax go to the bottom and quickly decant into another masson jar leaving the wax solids behind. "you dont want the solids but the nice wax liquid" save the solids for your next round.

5. top up with some more Lantern fuel and add about 1-2 ounces of the 10W40 oil you got.

Now everytime you need to lube your chain. take the chain off clean it with cleaner and dip the chain in this mixture "or apply with toothbrush" and let dry.The Lantern fuel will evaporate fast leaving you a nice "white lightning" type of wax lube with a touch of oil for the wet conditions.

I have used this for years and have had a clean drivetrain with no issues of any kind.

The lube will last a few rides even in the wet.

[peachy-B]

the only issue w/ that is the risk of fire due to the fuel and the work u need in order to get a protection that's not really better than buying a bottle of Tri-Flow. very interesting though.

Do u make your own grease too? :D

[Silk]

the only issue w/ that is the risk of fire due to the fuel and the work u need in order to get a protection that's not really better than buying a bottle of Tri-Flow. very interesting though.

Do u make your own grease too? :D


well if you smoke and do this well.... Darwin is alive and well :) it is no more dangerous than re-fueling your lantern.

I never said it was better than Triflow but for 1 little bottle of Triflow I could make about 2 Gallons of this stuff.

I dont make my own grease but I make a wicked De-greaser that also is a great beverage for the cold winter rides :)

[mzx]

I use Tri FLow, it's all I ever use.

It works well for me, wet and or dry. I find it is a "clean" lube, it doesn't gum up my drive train and derailleur and collect dirt and grit like some heavier lube's do.

I lube it every few rides, or after I wash the bike. Drivetrain always looks new, and feels clean.

Who sells Triflow? I've never seen it anywhere in big stores.

[DaveM]

Me too!! We should get married.

It's going to be a threesome cause all I ever use it Tri-Flow as well. I generally clean and lube after each ride anyways, I'm just wierd that way.

[sanrensho]

Who sells Triflow? I've never seen it anywhere in big stores.

MEC sells Triflow.

[Chief]

yea i have a bottle of pedros syn lube for wet conditions
and i tried white lightning and im trying triflow right now. i lube and clean after everyride

[Chuck D. Railer]

i hear triflow is super carcinogenic.
the guys at the shop always bitch about it on my bike.
i've used it for years and it works great wet or dry. if its wet, use more!
you can get it in honkin big jugs at lordco

[Chief]

i like triflow smells good
but after reading that i will refrain from smelling it

[Carbuncle]

That White Lightening stuff was what my mech always stocked when I was a messenger. I think he thought the racers like it so it must be good for messengers: it always washed off too quick in the wet. I like Finish Line and Pedro's Syn Lube, I have a bottle of each and I really can't tell the difference.

[derwood]

on the chain I use 80w90.....simple and effective

fwiw I use Atf type f in the forks.........

All the fancy bike lubes are rebadged industrial lubes.

[nick]

the best is pro link go check them out http://www.progoldmfr.com/products/prolink.html

[corey@nsmb.com]

i hear triflow is super carcinogenic.
the guys at the shop always bitch about it on my bike.
i've used it for years and it works great wet or dry. if its wet, use more!
you can get it in honkin big jugs at lordco


All petroleum products are. A lot of synthetic stuff is too.

Don't drink the oil, and don't wash your hands in it. You'll be A-OK.

[jonny.zee]

I've been using Pedro's ice wax for a while now. For all conditions & it keeps the drive train super clean. I'd be interested in hearing wht other people have to say about it.

I don't see anyone else using it here but I noticed it's almost always sold out at MEC.

[XXX_er]

the best is pro link go check them out http://www.progoldmfr.com/products/prolink.html

yeah I been using progold since they gave me a big bottle at interbike,it does stay on no matter how wet it gets out and they stock it at MEC

[peachy-B]

i hear triflow is super carcinogenic.
the guys at the shop always bitch about it on my bike.

how does he know u got it on your bike? lick 'em? :nono:

[Chuck D. Railer]

i'm just an avid triflow supporter and can't help but crow its benefits to the guys! and they can't help but slag me.
they also say that pedro's is WAY less toxic.
i work in industrial construction (concrete form carpenter) so toxic carcinogenic materials are in my blood hahahaha
how are you supposed to become desensitized to the toxicity unless you have max exposure?!?

[switch]

how are you supposed to become desensitized to the toxicity unless you have max exposure?!?Exactly. It's like guys who work in coal mines that are smokers. Each evil cancels the other one out.