what kind do you use? and how much? i used tri-flow and applied too much on sunday, it made my bike feel like a ton, anyone have a similar situation?
Did you let it sit after applying and then wipe the excess with a rag? Did it get gunked up with dirt or just the extra lube made it feel heavy? I've used white lightning. A drop on each link and then it sits for maybe five minutes and then a gentle wipe with a rag. Havent tried tri-flow yet though, might give it a shot sometime.
I second the White Lightning. Dry/wax lubes work best in dry dusty conditions. I have never wiped off the excess but do have to reapply often. I also like Prolink. This stuff works great even when gunked up. The chain/pulleys will be extremely dirty but rolling smooth. You have to see it to believe it. Its like dirt traps the lube in and the the lube repels the dirt.
I've heard that Tri-Flow blows, but I've never used it myself. I just made the switch from finish line "wet" to pedro's Ice Wax (very similar to White Lightning) and I'm really digging it. The trick (as a ex-racer/bike shop buddy showed me) is--as LBmtb said--to apply some to each link while pedalling (or back pedalling) to work it in. Let it sit for 5 - 10 min, then wipe off the excess with a rag/towel. Some say to repeat after every ride. I think with the wax-based kind it is ok to do that, but with the others (finish-line/tri-flow) I don't think it is as good of an idea. Either way, you want to wipe off the excess. The problem is that too much of any lube will attract dirt and grit like a magnet thus fowling your chain as opposed to "lubing" it. It helps to give the ol'chain a good cleaning every once and a while as the less grit and crap in there, the longer your drivetrain will last. Especially out here where I come home covered in a fine grit after every ride...not that I'm complaning! \/
I use Pro Link most of the time, and on occasion mix some White Lightning and Pedro's Ice Wax together. I always clean and lubricate my chain after every ride.
I like wax-based lubes I use white lightning on most of my rides since the condidtions are dry. If I do know that I will run into water crossings or itll be damp I put some Race Day over the white lightning, this way it doesnt wash off when water splashes on the chain.
i've used white ligtning in the past and now use tri-flow. i can't really notice a difference between the two. although, when i was using white lightning it was when i first started riding, so if i switch back now, i might notice a difference. i'll usually lube my chain every 3 rides or so. i do the link-by-link method and let it sit, i usually don't wipe the chain down afterwards. i do notice a little bit of gunk build-up on the pulley's at the end of the ride. i think miznaxxx tried astroglide on his kickstand, how did that end up working out for ya? :-k
ATB (Absolutely The Best) wet lube. I use it every month or two, depending on how much riding (or rusting =; ), link by link, let it soak in for 8 hours and then wipe off. If I had as many bikes as FX does I would also have to lube up after every ride.
.. i use the park tools chain cleaner with cleaning solvent..that thing will seriously make ur chain look better than brand new. then i lube it up w/ tri flo or white lightning - doesnt seem to be that much different to me..most important thing is that its clean and lubed..
