Symox

Just switched from Parks poly lube to a generic bar and chain oil I had laying around for my freehub after reading how Phil’s Tenacious is likely the same.

There is a definite improvement in the freewheeling (running while in a stand) when using the chainsaw oil. This makes sense as the oil is much more slippery than the grease when rubbing it between two pieces of scrap metal as a test.

The oil sticks like crazy to metal and doesn’t run at all. I’m impressed

anyone have experience with this? Is it ok to use this oil on rubber seals?

Thanks

Symox

Actually now that I think of it, many chainsaws use rubber hoses to feed this oil from a plastic oil tank. I think it should be fine for rubber seals

Dan Burkhart 

Chain saw oil has a tackifier added to keep the oil from being flung off the chain at speed. It might be a bitt too tacky for freehub pawls.

Mr. 66

If you are using chain saw oil make sure that it is labeled for All Season.

trailangel

Ha.. it's really good as a chain lube too. Who would have thought? Or you can use gear oil with a little mineral spirits and STP/motor honey mixed in. Much better than waxing your chain IMO.

Crankycrank

I doubt it could do much harm if it doesn't work out over time such as a sticky freehub but I say try it and see. Easy enough to just flush it out and use something else. Park Poly Lube is probably too thick causing the pawls to be sluggish in cooler temps. Phil's is a good choice and less viscous than the Park grease. Heavy weight automotive gear oil is also a good choice as is "Chain-L" brand chain lube if you have some on hand.

Troul 

If you also add some liquid dawn, a splash of Feed-N-Wax wood polish, & some lucas oil stab, almost near bullet proof.

Symox

is this because of cold weather performance?

woodcraft

Probably works OK, but I think it's funny, given all the fuss about bike lubes,

that something that needs to perform it's lubricating job only for a matter of minutes shows up regularly.

drlogik 

I've tried Phil's Tenacious oil and it worked ok. I am a bit concerned about the stickiness that the oil will have in the long-run though. I've also used grease and it doesn't work too well for me. It mucks up the spring pawls.

I then tried bacon grease mixed with Tri-Flow, 3-in-1 oil, Marvel's Mystery Oil and KY Jelly and was most impressed.

Dan Burkhart 

Don't forget eye of newt and wing of bat.

dedhed

I use drain oil out of my car for the chain saw. Plentiful & cheap

Symox

it is pretty ironic. But when you think about it the application is pretty similar:
metal to metal lube that must stick to the metal at high rpm and flows throw rubber tubing/tanks (similar to rubber seals) at a wide temp range and not gum up small moving parts.

also chainsaw lube is usually biodegradable since it goes into the environment when cutting.

woodcraft

Don't kid yourself. It's as biodegradable as other petroleum products.

Pop N Wood

But aren't petroleum products all-natural and by definition organic?

Camilo

Chain-L

Symox

Is that what Chain-L is, chainsaw oil? I've never used it before

Symox

I removed all remnants of the grease in the hub and substituted it with a light coating of the chainsaw (bar and chain oil). It works fantastic! The hub has never run smoother both freewheeling and pedaling.

Seeing that I have 3/4 of a quart of this oil, I think I have several lifetime's supply of it.

Park PolyLube is an excellent grease, but I'm finding this oil performs better for me in hubs. YMMV

Troul 

you'll surely cut through those miles now!

Symox

I know. The bike pedals itself now

Crankycrank

Home Page Chain-L High Mileage Bicycle Chain Lubricant (chain-l.com) Just answering the question. Let's not turn this into a chain lube thread.

Mr. 66

The oil will gel in lower temperatures, the all seasons oils gel at a much colder temp.

Geepig

I saw what you did there

Troul 

it was a chain reaction to the other response.

Symox

it is an all weather oil btw

i even checked by pour some over ice - it remains viscous