The eternal conundrum of chain oil....

[mattc]

I FINALLY decanted some chainsaw oil into an old 'normal' lube bottle. Why on earth did I not do this earlier?!? Lubing now takes about half the time - and a lot less mess 

 (My litre bottle looks like outlasting most of my bikes at this rate - perhaps I should try selling some ... )

[Blodwyn Pig]

A few years back, I took my bike to Soth Africa. Whilst there I needed some chain lube, and all that was available in the household was cooking oil. MISTAKE. I then left it the garden for a couple of days, and with the heat of the sun, and the muck on the chain, it was baked almost solid.

My latest chain was gently boiled in some EP90 gear oil, then left to drip, and wiped off. After 500k its still well lubed , as it comes out of the rollers, and a wipe off after a ride keeps it clean. Some black on the cassette but not a lot, just colouring really

[Gus]

Just cleaned 2 chains and applied Purple Extreme.

The weather is changing now from around +5^oC to around -3^oC
That means the community uses vast amounts of salt on the bikepaths therefor loads of saltwater
and rusty chains if you aren't prepared.

Purple extreme are not that good in all other conditions, but cold and wet it just works.

[T42]

Considering the wide variety of replies, it's still a conundrum.

[Biggsy]

Considering the wide variety of replies, it's still a conundrum.

And it always will be conundrous with unsealed chains open to the elements.  Long life and low maintenance and road shit 'n' grit can't be good friends.

Wonder how many chain lube threads there have been on YACF? 

[DrMekon]

Finish Line Green stays on.
Apply generously; run chain; leave overnight; wipe chain thoroughly.
Lasts a wet PBP and not unduly messy.

This, but LEL, is my experience. I've got some finish line red, but tbh, I don't find green too gunky.