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Recommended Dry Lubes

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Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

Recommended Dry Lubes

Old 05-16-21, 05:10 PM
  #26  
eduskator
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Originally Posted by seypat
If you want to step out of the "bicycle use" category, the various hardware stores have lots of options.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Blaster-Har...E&gclsrc=aw.ds
No need for a ''bicycle specific'' lube, wax is proven to be a lot more effective than any other available lube.
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Old 05-16-21, 07:27 PM
  #27  
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Originally Posted by eduskator
No need for a ''bicycle specific'' lube, wax is proven to be a lot more effective than any other available lube.
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Old 05-17-21, 05:59 AM
  #28  
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Originally Posted by cxwrench
You can say all you want, but it's research proven.
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Old 05-17-21, 06:47 AM
  #29  
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Originally Posted by SoSmellyAir
Left calf? My chain is hardly spotless but both my calves manage to avoid it. But I have skinny calves.

I'm an idiot.
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Old 05-17-21, 08:09 AM
  #30  
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I haven’t tried many other dry lubes but I’ve been happy with Finish Line Dry Lube for over a decade

Last edited by Symox; 05-17-21 at 10:21 PM.
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Old 05-17-21, 10:13 AM
  #31  
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Originally Posted by noodle soup
Ended up ordering this! Hard to find, but actually found it (in Canada) and at a lower cost than the other recommendations.
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Old 05-17-21, 12:04 PM
  #32  
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I use Muc-Off C3 dry, very quiet, lasts about 130 miles
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Old 05-17-21, 12:17 PM
  #33  
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Originally Posted by phrantic09
I use Muc-Off C3 dry, very quiet, lasts about 130 miles
I tried that a while back and it left my chain black and gritty after only a few rides. Revolting stuff.
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Old 05-17-21, 12:46 PM
  #34  
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This is my go-to resource for chain lube comparisons. Some interesting and sometimes surprising results. Tests measure both efficiency and wear rates.

https://zerofrictioncycling.com.au
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Old 05-17-21, 03:03 PM
  #35  
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Originally Posted by Doomrider74
I tried that a while back and it left my chain black and gritty after only a few rides. Revolting stuff.
I just finished a bottle of the stuff. You've got to do a good job wiping off the excess to prevent the gunk from collecting. My issue with Muc Off Dry is that it doesn't last very long and washes off easily; I got maybe 100 miles or so before having to clean/relube. I've moved on and trying out Squirt.
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Old 05-17-21, 07:29 PM
  #36  
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Originally Posted by jaxgtr
Squirt
I second that. I’ve tried several other dry lubes, and they don’t compare with the ease of use with Squirt.
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Old 05-17-21, 07:38 PM
  #37  
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Originally Posted by WorldIRC
Ended up ordering this! Hard to find, but actually found it (in Canada) and at a lower cost than the other recommendations.
If you ride in the wet(ever), it's crap. In dry Arizona conditions, nothing is better.
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Old 05-18-21, 05:57 AM
  #38  
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Originally Posted by noodle soup
If you ride in the wet(ever), it's crap. In dry Arizona conditions, nothing is better.
The most "wet" I get is if I hit a puddle. Not a fan of riding in the rain
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Old 05-18-21, 06:17 AM
  #39  
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Originally Posted by Doomrider74
I tried that a while back and it left my chain black and gritty after only a few rides. Revolting stuff.
+1 on that. Currently using it and it does create gunky / sticky residues. A quick wipe down after every ride does the trick. Regardless, I prefer the regular dry version, which is cheaper. C3 does last longer, but it's not worth the extra hassle IMO.

Originally Posted by WorldIRC
The most "wet" I get is if I hit a puddle. Not a fan of riding in the rain
Who does?
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Old 05-18-21, 07:36 AM
  #40  
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Used rock n roll gold. Good I have to say but its petroleum by product and application can be abit messy. I clean and re lube my bike in the shower room. Switched to Squirt now. When cleaning I just use rag with warm water over the chain. Gets the dirty stuff removed and because its wax it does not stain the floor. Application is also less messy,
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Old 05-18-21, 10:38 AM
  #41  
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Originally Posted by eduskator
Who does?
Apparently everyone racing overseas right now
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Old 05-18-21, 06:52 PM
  #42  
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I've used Tri-Flow for decades, and haven't been able to get it in Covid times, here in SE Mèxico. Today I bought a dry lube from Zefal, because I needed something. I have yet to use it.

You're welcome.:-)
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Old 05-18-21, 10:33 PM
  #43  
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Originally Posted by cheesesandwich
Used rock n roll gold. Good I have to say but its petroleum by product and application can be abit messy. I clean and re lube my bike in the shower room. Switched to Squirt now. When cleaning I just use rag with warm water over the chain. Gets the dirty stuff removed and because its wax it does not stain the floor. Application is also less messy,
When you switched from Rock N Roll Gold to Squirt, did you have to do anything like sonic clean the chain or soak it in degreaser, or just wipe off as much as possible then switch to Squirt?
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Old 05-19-21, 07:19 AM
  #44  
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Originally Posted by SoSmellyAir
When you switched from Rock N Roll Gold to Squirt, did you have to do anything like sonic clean the chain or soak it in degreaser, or just wipe off as much as possible then switch to Squirt?
I would never mix two different products unless they are identical or almost (Giant & Stans tubeless sealant, for instance).

Fuel is a great cleaner. The best IMO. Soak your chain in it overnight, you'll see.
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Old 05-19-21, 09:13 PM
  #45  
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Originally Posted by fooferdoggie
rock and roll has been good I never have to clean the chain. just apply and wipe it off. I only get a tiny bit of buildup on the jockey wheels and chainring. it lasts around 100 or so miles. the blue does better in rain I like it because it is easy to apply you don't have too go link by link. I wish it lasted longer though.
I am going to use this lube on Mrs. NoWhammies bike when I replace the chain.

Question. Does the factory lube on the Shimano chain need to be removed before applying the Rock n Roll Gold?
Also, did you apply the lube as I've seen done in the video? Which is basically to apply liberally to the rear cog with the chain while spinning the chain backwards? Then stop applying, and run the chain repeatedly though a cloth/towel until all the excess lube is removed?
How can you tell when all the excess is removed? No more lube coming off on/in the cloth?

Thank you.

Last edited by NoWhammies; 05-19-21 at 09:29 PM.
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Old 05-19-21, 09:20 PM
  #46  
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Originally Posted by NoWhammies
Does the factory lube on the Shimano chani need to be removed before applying the Rock n Roll Gold?
No.

Originally Posted by NoWhammies
Also, did you apply the lube as I've seen done in the video? Which is basically to apply liberally to the rear cog with the chain while spinning the chain backwards? Then stop applying, and run the chain repeatedly though a cloth/towel until all the excess lube is removed?
How can you tell when all the excess is removed? No more lube coming off on/in the cloth?
No, the method shown in Rock N Roll's video is wasteful and messy. We discussed this in one of your previous thread:

Muc-Off Hydrodynamic Lube = lots of gunk on chain? - Bike Forums

This is my "good enough" way to apply any lube when I am not washing my bike.

1. Shift chain onto big chain ring and rear cog that gives the straightest chain line.
2. While backpedaling, wipe chain and derailleur pulley wheels with clean old T shirt or top that my son has outgrown.
3. Working with the section of chain extending from the bottom of the big chain ring to the bottom of the tension pulley, drip two drops onto each chain roller. Two drops ensures there is an excess that drips off the roller onto the folded packing paper that lines the ground, thereby serving as a rinse.
4. Slowly back pedal to move the next section of the chain between the bottom of the big chain ring and the bottom of the tension pulley, then repeat Step #3, until entire chain is done.
5. Repeat Steps #2 through #4 once or twice more, depending on how dirty the chain is, by comparing stains on rag; newer stains should be noticeably lighter. For the final application, use only a single drop per roller.
6. Let chain sit overnight.
7. Repeat Step #2 next day.

Bike Forums - View Single Post - Muc-Off Hydrodynamic Lube = lots of gunk on chain?
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Old 05-19-21, 09:30 PM
  #47  
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Thank you.
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Old 05-19-21, 09:38 PM
  #48  
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Originally Posted by NoWhammies
Thank you.
No problem. Just noticed you are in Vancouver. When I grew up there (almost a quarter century ago, damn that sounds old), it used to rain at least 1 out 3 days on average. Maybe global warming has changed that. But if not, then you may want to try Rock N Roll Extreme (Blue) instead of Gold.
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Old 05-20-21, 12:58 AM
  #49  
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Ditto, R&R Absolute Dry and Gold. Both are very good, slick, low residue. Absolute Dry needs to be reapplied more often. Gold has a tiny bit of oil.

White Lightning drip wax lubes left a lot of waxy snot boogers on my drivetrain.
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Old 05-20-21, 07:10 AM
  #50  
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Originally Posted by NoWhammies
I am going to use this lube on Mrs. NoWhammies bike when I replace the chain.

Question. Does the factory lube on the Shimano chain need to be removed before applying the Rock n Roll Gold?
Also, did you apply the lube as I've seen done in the video? Which is basically to apply liberally to the rear cog with the chain while spinning the chain backwards? Then stop applying, and run the chain repeatedly though a cloth/towel until all the excess lube is removed?
How can you tell when all the excess is removed? No more lube coming off on/in the cloth?

Thank you.
I usually take it off with fishishlines fast degreaser. it is so sticky it attracts a lot of stuff. Think the rock and roll will take it off after awhile but then you don't keep the chain as clean. Yes I jut run the chain and squirt it on then wipe it a lot.
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