On 4/24/2018 2:06 AM, 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? My most important usage is a
daily commuting through suburb streets and forest paths (in all weather
conditions, therfore quite muddy when it rains, but now that summer is
coming, it is going to be rather dry).


I recall when I was in my teens and read somewhere about molybdenum
disulfide being a great dry lubricant for bicycle chains. But it had the
same issue as most dry lubricants, you can't get them inside the chain
where they're needed, it just makes a mess on the outside. It was
difficult to find at the time, but one distributor sold me a single can.

Hot wax at least can get inside the rollers and sleeves, but once it
cools and hardens it is quickly displaced. That's why all the experts
advise against hot wax. It causes all sorts of problems. Of course some
people mix the wax with some kind of oil to ensure that there is some
actual lubricant inside, but they could just leave out the wax and
they'd be just as well off. But for some people. recreational chain
cleaning and lubing is a hobby, so if it make them happy then there's no
harm in messing with pots, pans, double boilers, etc.

Whatever lubricant you use, be sure that it can penetrate inside.
Foaming chain lubes for non-O ring chains are the best at lubricating,
but of course you'll have to wipe the excess off the outside of the
chain after you apply it.