On Tuesday, April 24, 2018 at 5:02:30 AM UTC-4, Tanguy Ortolo wrote:
Dear cyclists,

After years using wet lubes in all conditions (currently, a specific
chain oil with PTFE from 3in1
http://www.3-en-un.fr/produit/lubrifiant-chaines-et-cables-250ml/),
and being used to seing my chain getting very dirty, I have just learnt
that I may avoid this by using dry lube instead.

Actually, I have heard of one specific product, the Squirt dry lube
http://www.squirtlube.com/our-products/. It is about twice more
expensive than the lubricant I am currently using, but it is supposed to
reduce cleaning work, and if it does make the chain cleaner, it may as
well reduce its wear and extend its life.

So, have any of you tried that lubricant, or any other dry one? Would
you recommend it rather than wet lubes?


Please realize that any discussion of chain lubrication is likely to become
much like a debate on religion.

Having said that: I lubricate my chains using a mixture of roughly 95%
paraffin (that is, solid wax) that has about 5% oil blended into it.

I warm the chain while it's on the bike using a propane torch with a low flame,
working about 10" at a time, and being careful to protect the tire, wheel, etc.
I then crayon the solid wax mix onto the chain, reheat until the wax flows
into the chain's innards, then back pedal and repeat for the next 10". When
the entire chain has been done, I wipe off the excess using paper towels.
The result is a dry lube.

Some lube their chains with pure paraffin wax, but that causes squeaks after
any riding in the rain.

This gives me clean chains, a much cleaner bike, and it seems to last at least
as long as any other chain lubricant. Until I started using this method, I
tried many other products and procedures. I like this best. YMMV.

A couple different comparison tests have shown that lubricating with heated
paraffin gives greater chain life and less friction than all other tested
methods. But again, YMMV.

- Frank Krygowski