Looking For Chain Lube Recommendations
#1
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Looking For Chain Lube Recommendations
I'm sure there are other post on this but after 30min of searching, I got tired of looking. So...
I bought some WD40 all-conditions chain lube but it smells and I keep my bike in the house. Does anyone have something they recommend that doesn't stink? It's for a road bike that mainly does dry weather paved roads.
I bought some WD40 all-conditions chain lube but it smells and I keep my bike in the house. Does anyone have something they recommend that doesn't stink? It's for a road bike that mainly does dry weather paved roads.
#2
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I use a wax type lube, like this one WHITE LIGHTNING | Clean Ride White Lightning | Prescott Valley Bike Works Never noticed a smell, and it's MUCH cleaner in general than oil/grease based lubes. One bottle lasts eons!
Dan
Dan
#3
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Tri-Flow actually smells good. Many users describe it as fruity or floral. Smells a bit like banana and mango to me.
I use the spray aerosol. Works well, easy to apply. In dry weather it lasts about a month before I hear enough chain noise to reapply. Not as rain resistant as Park CL-1 so I need to apply it more often in wet weather.
Cleanup is no worse or better than any wet lube. They all create a gunky mess. Especially when wet lubes are applied directly to the chain while it's mounted on the bike. The excess lube ends up on the front and rear gears and cogs, so they end up collecting black gunk.
If you get a chain with a quick link (like the Missing Link included with some -- not all -- KMC chains) there's less cleanup of the front and rear gears and cogs if you remove the chain and relube it off the bike.
I use the spray aerosol. Works well, easy to apply. In dry weather it lasts about a month before I hear enough chain noise to reapply. Not as rain resistant as Park CL-1 so I need to apply it more often in wet weather.
Cleanup is no worse or better than any wet lube. They all create a gunky mess. Especially when wet lubes are applied directly to the chain while it's mounted on the bike. The excess lube ends up on the front and rear gears and cogs, so they end up collecting black gunk.
If you get a chain with a quick link (like the Missing Link included with some -- not all -- KMC chains) there's less cleanup of the front and rear gears and cogs if you remove the chain and relube it off the bike.
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Go on U tube there are so many videos on there about this subject that you end up being totally confused, so much depends on your riding style & weather conditions, how much riding you do, & how much you are prepared to spend, there is considerable amount of price difference, & how do you know the benefit
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Well, I have to say that smell doesn't come up too often which is what the OP is asking about so he probably isn't going to find much help from the other lube threads. It can be a problem for many people who are sensitive to smells. My bike riding neighbor uses Dumonde Tech which has kind of a rancid Blue Cheese smell to it which almost got him in trouble with the landlord who thought he had a mold problem. Agree with Gunga Dan that most of the wax type lubes I've used over the years seem to have little or no residual smell.
#9
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+2 on the Chain-L FB that sells it is on here and is a great guy for advice AND his chain lube.
I have troubles with stinky stuff too, but never noticed an odor with chain-L. All the other lubes have an odor. (Tri-flow was always called banana juice at previous shops I worked at!) The dry lubes dont seem to hold up well on a chain anyway.
Chain saw bar oil is dirtier but has worked well for me in years past.
-SP
I have troubles with stinky stuff too, but never noticed an odor with chain-L. All the other lubes have an odor. (Tri-flow was always called banana juice at previous shops I worked at!) The dry lubes dont seem to hold up well on a chain anyway.
Chain saw bar oil is dirtier but has worked well for me in years past.
-SP
#10
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I, and most others, find the the WD-40 bike chainlubes smell pleasant. The smell fades quickly.
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What you breathe will be determined more by where you live, what your house is built of, how old it is, and how well ventilated it is.
Of course, I'm talking about the bike itself. Working on the bike and applying aerosol products, ie. lubes or wax does introduce pollutants, so do so either outside, or in a well ventilated area, ie. not your bedroom in winter when windows will be closed for 2 months.
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FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#12
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In fairness, the odor is worst during application and disappears soon enough, but the OP may still object.
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FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#13
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Rock and Roll gold is a pretty good general purpose lube.
#14
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Yes, and there are plenty of good choices. The most odorless is probably a melted paraffin product of some kind, since it doesn't use a volatile solvent as a carrier. Otherwise, most do, and many use a masking agent, (more odor to hide another odor), or there is an odor in the product itself, like CHAIN-L.
If the OP doesn't want to go to the effort of using a melted paraffin, I suggest he visit a shop, and ask if he can smell the various products before deciding.
BTW - for many lubes the ONLY odor will be from the solvent carrier. This stops when it's all evaporated, which takes no more than a few hours, so the OP may be happy with something like a teflon dry lube, if he applies it outdoors and wits before bring the bike in.
If the OP doesn't want to go to the effort of using a melted paraffin, I suggest he visit a shop, and ask if he can smell the various products before deciding.
BTW - for many lubes the ONLY odor will be from the solvent carrier. This stops when it's all evaporated, which takes no more than a few hours, so the OP may be happy with something like a teflon dry lube, if he applies it outdoors and wits before bring the bike in.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#16
Senior Member
+2 on the Chain-L FB that sells it is on here and is a great guy for advice AND his chain lube.
I have troubles with stinky stuff too, but never noticed an odor with chain-L. All the other lubes have an odor. (Tri-flow was always called banana juice at previous shops I worked at!) The dry lubes dont seem to hold up well on a chain anyway.
Chain saw bar oil is dirtier but has worked well for me in years past.
-SP
I have troubles with stinky stuff too, but never noticed an odor with chain-L. All the other lubes have an odor. (Tri-flow was always called banana juice at previous shops I worked at!) The dry lubes dont seem to hold up well on a chain anyway.
Chain saw bar oil is dirtier but has worked well for me in years past.
-SP
#17
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Ditto, paraffin for chains. Melted in my crock pot there's only the usual slight odor of an unscented candle.
But Tri-Flow is easy and smells pleasant. Works great too.
But Tri-Flow is easy and smells pleasant. Works great too.
#18
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I am a Chain-L fanboy, but since OP's question is about a lube that doesn't smell, I can't recommend it. After application, it will give off a distinctly sulfurous smell for a day or two. I don't mind it in the garage, but I wouldn't want it in the house.
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thats the thing though, after a day or two it is gone and you don't have to apply nearly as often as other lubes so you aren't constantly needing to smell new solvents applied every 100 miles or whatever.
#21
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Chain-L:
I still get over 3,000 miles per lube using an Small amount I call 1/2 a Drop on each link.
I still get over 3,000 miles per lube using an Small amount I call 1/2 a Drop on each link.
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#22
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I like the odor of Chain-L. It has hints of rosemary. But I'm actually serious. And I like the way the product works, too.
Tri-Flow smells like artificial banana flavored bubble gum.
Tri-Flow smells like artificial banana flavored bubble gum.
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Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
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Eeek! I'm going to have to give up eating steak and settle for rice and beans for the rest of my life.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.