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A Tale of Two Tri-Flows

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A Tale of Two Tri-Flows

Old 05-31-19, 05:29 PM
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A Tale of Two Tri-Flows


One on the left is better


Booooooo

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Old 05-31-19, 08:33 PM
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21 years difference? Look at the dates.
Different owners/manfs.
You expect it to be exactly the same.
What was the question?
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Old 06-01-19, 09:24 AM
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What no Tri Flon represented???

Side bar story- When TriFlon first came to the bike industry (about 1978) the brand sent out samples and a Guns and Ammo mag reprint. We all tried the new stuff and were fairly impressed given that the common chain lube was SA oil or auto stuff. But it was the article reprint that convinced us. The claims of increased automatic firing rate and lessened carbon build up with the M16s the mag used as their test "vehicle" spoke to us. If TriFlon was good enough for a machine gun it was fine for a bike chain. It was shortly later that TriFlon had to change it's name to something that sounded less like "Teflon". Yes, we had cease and desist letters too back then Andy
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Old 06-01-19, 11:20 AM
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What makes you think the product inside is any different? Because the parent company is different? Because they now say PTFE rather than the trademarked TEFLON?
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Old 06-01-19, 12:49 PM
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Originally Posted by Bill Kapaun
21 years difference? Look at the dates.
Different owners/manfs.
You expect it to be exactly the same.
What was the question?
Easy does it fella. There was no "question", an observational statement was made. As per the OP, the viscosity is different between the two "identical" products. I remember this difference clearly from using the older stuff from long ago. The older stuff had different viscosity even when it was purchased new.

In as clear a wording as I can make it: the new stuff doesn't last as long compared to the old. It's been thinned down. So, if there is some NOS old Tri-Flow bottles on a shelf somewhere, buy them, but only if good Tri-Flow is your thing.
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Old 06-01-19, 12:56 PM
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Originally Posted by prairiepedaler
Easy does it fella. There was no "question", an observational statement was made. As per the OP, the viscosity is different between the two "identical" products. I remember this difference clearly from using the older stuff from long ago. The older stuff had different viscosity even when it was purchased new.

In as clear a wording as I can make it: the new stuff doesn't last as long compared to the old. It's been thinned down. So, if there is some NOS old Tri-Flow bottles on a shelf somewhere, buy them, but only if good Tri-Flow is your thing.
You didn't say ANYTHING in your 1st post.
Ignore List.
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Old 06-01-19, 03:45 PM
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https://www.walmart.com/ip/Super-Tec...10090301008005

Diluted 4 to 1 with unscented mineral spirits. It's inexpensive and meant to work in a much worse environment than a bike chain. For about $25 you can make 5 quarts and share it with your friends.
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Old 06-02-19, 07:17 AM
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" https://www.walmart.com/ip/Super-Tec...10090301008005

Diluted 4 to 1 with unscented mineral spirits. It's inexpensive and meant to work in a much worse environment than a bike chain. For about $25 you can make 5 quarts and share it with your friends."

Thanks Dave, that's an interesting idea. If you work with this homebrew solution have you found it attracts dust and debris anymoreso than a dedicated bike lube?
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Old 06-02-19, 07:18 AM
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Originally Posted by Bill Kapaun
You didn't say ANYTHING in your 1st post.
Ignore List.
Hmmm. Hair trigger crackpot and/or Tri-Flow sales rep?
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Old 06-02-19, 07:24 AM
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Originally Posted by davidad
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Super-Tec...10090301008005

Diluted 4 to 1 with unscented mineral spirits. It's inexpensive and meant to work in a much worse environment than a bike chain. For about $25 you can make 5 quarts and share it with your friends.
Glad other people know that chainsaw bar&chain oil is a good thing for bicycles! I'm convinced Phil Wood Tenacious Oil is just bar&chain oil repackaged and marked up tenfold.
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Old 06-02-19, 11:07 AM
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What's the actual difference? Here's my guess. They started using generic PTFE, and had to stop using DuPont's brand name. Also, the new formula is better if you tend to induce vomiting while oiling your bike.
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Old 06-02-19, 02:18 PM
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Originally Posted by Bill Kapaun
You didn't say ANYTHING in your 1st post.
hey there prairie, he's right, you didnt say anything of why or what or whatever.

now to the topic at hand, I'm fairly certain when I started using it , it was with the old graphics, but to be honest, I dont recall too much about how it worked , or should I say, I always liked it but havent noticed a diff with the newer bottles, specifically that it doesnt last as long.

Ive tried all kinds of lubes, and still find Triflow a happy medium of not too thin like the really thin (but super clean) ones, but not goopey like Phils (which I still like , especially for friends or neighbours who I know will never look at their chain again for six months after I clean and oil it, so at least those super thick lubes last a long time)

anyway, would be nice to compare yours, but I only have the newer stuff now......
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Old 06-02-19, 06:46 PM
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Originally Posted by djb
hey there prairie, he's right, you didnt say anything of why or what or whatever.

now to the topic at hand, I'm fairly certain when I started using it , it was with the old graphics, but to be honest, I dont recall too much about how it worked , or should I say, I always liked it but havent noticed a diff with the newer bottles, specifically that it doesnt last as long.

Ive tried all kinds of lubes, and still find Triflow a happy medium of not too thin like the really thin (but super clean) ones, but not goopey like Phils (which I still like , especially for friends or neighbours who I know will never look at their chain again for six months after I clean and oil it, so at least those super thick lubes last a long time)

anyway, would be nice to compare yours, but I only have the newer stuff now......
Hey - You're right! (and so was the uptight neurotic who first mentioned it). I had written accompanying text, kind of like a review, but it appears it never attached to the post. Hmmm. With this computer when writing on this forum I use the PaleMoon browser which has not always been reliable for some reason. Maybe it has to do with the forum timing out a log-in period if it senses the user is inactive. Oh well. I'll append the initial posting.
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Old 06-02-19, 09:26 PM
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"and so was the uptight neurotic who first mentioned it" Perhaps that guy wasn't quite as uptight as you spout out about. It's these assumptions of personal conduct that drive us apart. Unless you are a good friend of Bill's why would you stoop to this low level? Andy
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Old 06-02-19, 10:28 PM
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Originally Posted by prairiepedaler
Easy does it fella. There was no "question", an observational statement was made. As per the OP, the viscosity is different between the two "identical" products. I remember this difference clearly from using the older stuff from long ago. The older stuff had different viscosity even when it was purchased new.

In as clear a wording as I can make it: the new stuff doesn't last as long compared to the old. It's been thinned down. So, if there is some NOS old Tri-Flow bottles on a shelf somewhere, buy them, but only if good Tri-Flow is your thing.
Are you comparing the viscosity between a 20 year old product and a new product? Or have you measured the viscosity 20 years ago and have measured it now?

In the previous case, 20 years of sitting on a shelf in a polyethylene bottle will result in solvent loss. The bottle isn’t imperious to the amyl acetate and merely opening and closing the bottle will result in some solvent loss. Additionally, what if you left the bottle uncapped at some point? All these factors would result in solvent loss and increased viscosity.

If the latter is the case, why would you even measure the viscosity 20 years ago and now? Even if you did measure the viscosity are you sure that you have measured it the same way 20 years ago and now. Viscometry has changed somewhat over the intervening years and could result in measurement errors when comparing products with that large a age gap.

I’d suspect the former, however.
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Old 06-02-19, 10:36 PM
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Duly noted:

Furniture polish companies make better lubes than house paint companies.
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Old 06-03-19, 10:00 AM
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I recall first using it in 1977 or '78- back when viscosity counted for something!!!

Remember to shake- the P.T.F.E. settles.
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Old 06-03-19, 05:14 PM
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Hi Andy, I would never block a guy for some comment like my own response let alone announce I was. It was an honest mistake on my part, but there was no sense in Bill behaving like a peloton primadonna. I did write the review but it never attached properly, unknown to me.
Cycco, I remember clearly how the original flowed when I first started using it 15 years ago and it always flowed the same way, even now. The new stuff is thinner, unquestionably, and requires more frequent applications to a chain in similar riding conditions. I prefer the Tri-Flow of old and in the missing review I mentioned that before application of the new stuff to a chain, I throw the bottle into the freezer beforehand. That way it isn't as watery, is easier to control during application and consume less product. With the old at room temperature, no problem in an easily controlled drop-by-drop application.
Maybe some other long term Tri-Flow users will weigh in on their observations.
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Old 06-03-19, 05:58 PM
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Originally Posted by prairiepedaler
Hi Andy, I would never block a guy for some comment like my own response let alone announce I was. It was an honest mistake on my part, but there was no sense in Bill behaving like a peloton primadonna. I did write the review but it never attached properly, unknown to me.
Cycco, I remember clearly how the original flowed when I first started using it 15 years ago and it always flowed the same way, even now. The new stuff is thinner, unquestionably, and requires more frequent applications to a chain in similar riding conditions. I prefer the Tri-Flow of old and in the missing review I mentioned that before application of the new stuff to a chain, I throw the bottle into the freezer beforehand. That way it isn't as watery, is easier to control during application and consume less product. With the old at room temperature, no problem in an easily controlled drop-by-drop application.
Maybe some other long term Tri-Flow users will weigh in on their observations.
Memory can be a funny thing. That said, I don’t use Triflow for my personal bikes anymore but we use it at my local co-op. I don’t recall it as being any thicker or thinner than when I used it decades ago. I also don’t recall it as being especially durable compared to other products. I do recall it as being rather messy as are all oil lubricants. I’ve also used Phil’s Tenacious Oil which is definitely thicker and far messier.
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Old 06-03-19, 06:38 PM
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I remember when Triflon first came out back in 1978 or 1979. I was in college and working in a bike shop. Everyone I knew started using it because, well, it was new! And, it had Teflon! It must be good!

I used it for a long time until the mid 1980's came. By then more lubes were available for bikes but Triflow was now its name. I had four bottles of the old Triflon that got me through the 1980's and half way through the 1990's. By then I noticed something different between my old Triflon and the new Triflow of the 1990's. Mine was thicker. I figured the solvent carrier had evaporated and put the remaining bottle on the back shelf. I still have it somewhere!

I never use the stuff any more even though I have three or four bottles in different places around the house. I use it mostly, ahem, for lubing door hinges. Yeah, door hinges and it works really, really well. As a general purpose lubricant it's good but I unless it's a door hinge, the bottles don't move off the shelf.

I agree with cyccommute though, like other oil lubes, it's a bit messy and attracts dirt and grime.
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Old 06-05-19, 04:15 AM
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Not sure about the original formula, but I have been using the modern version for 10-15 years now on my road bike. I think it is awesome. Super light consistency and accurate tube dispenser makes it particularly easy to lubricate derailleur pivot points. Also works well on the chain and more importantly is easy to remove with a basic degreaser. Bottle lasts for ages, although I think it is best for bikes that are not exposed to wet/dirty conditions. After a proper ride in the wet, I generally clean the bike and reapply. I have a few wax type lubes and some heavier chain lubes, but I still think this stuff is great IMHO.
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Old 06-05-19, 07:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Andrew R Stewart
"and so was the uptight neurotic who first mentioned it" Perhaps that guy wasn't quite as uptight as you spout out about. It's these assumptions of personal conduct that drive us apart. Unless you are a good friend of Bill's why would you stoop to this low level? Andy
thankyou Andrew for putting that down.

its the old internet thing aint it? As much as it would be great if everyone spoke to each other like meeting at a dinner party, ie polite, I know it doesn't happen.
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Old 06-09-19, 06:44 PM
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"I still use it"

Hello Haze, glad that ol' stuff is hanging in there. Have you tried the new to compare? Perhaps buy a new bottle and report back to see how they compare.
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Old 06-11-19, 05:57 PM
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I have used Triflow for as long as I can remember. They'll have to pry it from my cold, dead hand.
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Old 06-11-19, 06:44 PM
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Originally Posted by seedsbelize
I have used Triflow for as long as I can remember. They'll have to pry it from my cold, dead hand.
well it won't be hard to pry it out, its a good lubricant!
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