White Lightning vs Pedros Ice Wax?

Any significant differences between White Lightning and Pedros Ice Wax,
or are they basically the same product?

Thanks.

Joel

On Tue, 11 Nov 2003 16:39:11 -0600, joel roth
may have said:

Any significant differences between White Lightning and Pedros Ice Wax,
or are they basically the same product?

All first-hand reports I've had from users in this area have been to
the effect of "don't use either one". These were from off-road
riders, not roadies. Both products reportedly resulted in squeaky
chains within a period of a couple of days to a week or so. A number
of online sites also have similar statements.

I have not used either product myself. I considered trying them, but
I saw too many negative reports and decided that a product with that
high of a cost factor needed to have a better rep before I'd try it.
Many conventional chain lubes also get negative reports due to the
fact that they collect dirt; I ignore those, since *any* wet lube will
be likely to have that problem. The reports I heed are those
recounting squeaks, fast wear, and post-wet-ride corrosion, which are
commonly mentioned for dry lubes and bottled waxes of all types.

FWIW, I tried using a hot wax method on one of my chains, and
abandoned it this week when it became clear that after three months of
light-duty intermittent usage, it wasn't living up to expectations.
I'm back to using motor oil on all of my bikes now.

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"joel roth" wrote in message
du...
Any significant differences between White Lightning and Pedros Ice Wax,
or are they basically the same product?


I remember mtb'ing with my friends who used WL when it first came out. They
always said "This stuff it the greatest!" every time they stopped (usually
2-3 times) during a ride to re-apply the stuff. Especially after creek
crossings. Needless to say I was not impressed. I've used Pedro's Extra
Dry for years with excellent results. I usually apply it the night before a
ride 1 drop per roller to allow penetration time. Then wipe off with a rag
to 'clean' the chain. Another friend of mine uses Ice Wax and applies it
before riding and generally has nothing to say about it good or bad. I
think it kind of defeats the purpose of a 'dry' wax lube using it like this
however.

Mike

Werehatrack wrote in
:
All first-hand reports I've had from users in this area have been to
the effect of "don't use either one". These were from off-road
riders, not roadies. Both products reportedly resulted in squeaky
chains within a period of a couple of days to a week or so.

The label on Pedro's Ice Wax says you need to reapply it before *every* ride.

Do a Google search of rec.bicycles.tech and see what's been posted.

I've used PIW happily for several years on road bikes. Chains stay clean,
quiet and well lubricated; and last well. I wipe off the old and reapply every
2-3 rides, and I don't ride in the rain unless caught.

Last year I "discovered" Pro Link and began using it as an experiment on my
fixie and beater/rain bike. I like PL well enough to use it on all my bikes
once my current supply of PIW, still used on my "good" bikes, is finished.

Several years back I used White Lightning experimentally on my beater/rain
bike. It seemed to lubricate very well, but was messy (casting off clods of
dirty black wax that would stick to the bike and sometimes my shoes, and get
tracked into the house, etc.) and did not hold up well in the rain. PIW is
better in the rain than WL, but not as good or long-lasting as PL.




Mike Yankee

(Address is munged to thwart spammers.
To reply, delete everything after "com".)

I use Prolink during the summer months when the weather is warm with little
chance of rain (I live on the East Coast). During those times it does a good
job of lubricating the chain with little dirt/grit pick up.

In the fall and winter, when it is rainy and slushy, I have found that the
Prolink washes off, so I have switched to Finish Line Cross Country, which I
have found is much more water resistant.

"MikeYankee" wrote in message
...
Do a Google search of rec.bicycles.tech and see what's been posted.

I've used PIW happily for several years on road bikes. Chains stay clean,
quiet and well lubricated; and last well. I wipe off the old and reapply
every
2-3 rides, and I don't ride in the rain unless caught.

Last year I "discovered" Pro Link and began using it as an experiment on
my
fixie and beater/rain bike. I like PL well enough to use it on all my
bikes
once my current supply of PIW, still used on my "good" bikes, is
finished.

Several years back I used White Lightning experimentally on my beater/rain
bike. It seemed to lubricate very well, but was messy (casting off clods
of
dirty black wax that would stick to the bike and sometimes my shoes, and
get
tracked into the house, etc.) and did not hold up well in the rain. PIW
is
better in the rain than WL, but not as good or long-lasting as PL.




Mike Yankee

(Address is munged to thwart spammers.
To reply, delete everything after "com".)

"joel roth" wrote in message
du...
Any significant differences between White Lightning and Pedros Ice Wax,
or are they basically the same product?

Essentially the same, I'd say (yes, I use both). Ice Wax has a thicker
consistency than WL, but otherwise seems to work identically (and pretty
well IME).

Bill "frequent luber but hardly ever degreaser" S.

On Wed, 12 Nov 2003 01:10:42 +0000, Ken may have said:

Werehatrack wrote in
:
All first-hand reports I've had from users in this area have been to
the effect of "don't use either one". These were from off-road
riders, not roadies. Both products reportedly resulted in squeaky
chains within a period of a couple of days to a week or so.

The label on Pedro's Ice Wax says you need to reapply it before *every* ride.

Rather pointless to use it, then, in my opinion. Anything sold as a
lube which doesn't persist for more than a single day is more work
than it's worth.

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Any significant differences between White Lightning and Pedros Ice Wax,
or are they basically the same product?

I think so. I'm a PIW fan true and true. We don't have a lube sponsor so I get
to choose what I like and I like Pedros stuff in general.

I've used a ton of lubes in a ton of different conditions. In every choice
there are pluses and minuses. What are your needs and what are not?

Comparing PIW to WL is easy for me. PIW seems to be more durrable than WL. No
wax lube will last like wet lubes which is obvious.

PIW collects way less dirt than wet lubes and thus helps drive trains (chains,
cogs, rings) last much longer. Lube a chain more often (with a wax based lube)
to keep it much cleaneer is a easy choice for me. I don't always want to clean
"MY" bike but I like my chain to be clean as possible as long as possible. Wet
lubes get dirty faster regardless of brand and thus wear out chains faster.

Time/labor difference:

Lube a chain every other day for a month with a wax lube?
15 seconds of labor times 15 days = less than 4 minutes/month.
Add cleaning chain once a month (10 minutes per chain/cog cleaning -- if I'm
really fast) = 14 minutes of my time/month.

Lube a chain with a wet lube?
15 seconds times 4 (once a week I lube) = 1 minute/month
Add cleaning my chain once a week (10 min times 4 = 40 minutes). That's 41
minutes of my time cleaning chains per month.


Unrelated to quality is the ugly "Fogy look" you get with WL. I like PIW which
keeps a chain looking shinny longer. Pure looks here. I think it is cool to
have a clean/shiny drive train (as long as you can between cleaning)

But if you are riding in rain/sand/dirt/mud a wet lube may be nessisary to last
through the rain/sand/dirt/mud. PIW will not last in rain so you got to do some
work cleaning no matter what if you want to keep your drive train clean (at
least as much as I like).

So for rain days there are other optios. Two of my favorites a

Pedros Syn lube for down pours
New road rage for light wet rides

Vincent Gee -- Mechanic US Postal

OK, I can hear the million Questions flying and all the odd comments too. But
for now, this is all I care to say.

Ken wrote:
Werehatrack wrote in
All first-hand reports I've had from users in this area have been to
the effect of "don't use either one". These were from off-road
riders, not roadies. Both products reportedly resulted in squeaky
chains within a period of a couple of days to a week or so.
The label on Pedro's Ice Wax says you need to reapply it before *every* ride.
Well, _that_'s practical.
--
David Damerell Distortion Field!