Historically, when I commuted a bit, I used a general oil based chain lube, topped it up every month or so and cleaned the chain and casette (not very well) every few months. Good enough.
Having recently started MTB I started using a wax (Zefal Extra Dry). That works fine but does not last and I suspected was never as slick as lube. After a recent bike clean, I went back to regular oil based lube. The difference was noticeable, much smoother and quieter but after one dusty ride the chain is absolutely filthy and full of sand and other debris - now I have to completely strip down mine and my son's drivetrain after one ride.
So I started reading and now understand the advantages and limitations of various products (oil/wax/hot wax etc). I'm keen to find a year round solution even if I have to compromise somewhere.
Hot wax ain't for me and making my own recipe is not on the cards (found an interesting thread on this forum about that). Thinking about buying a bottle of Squirt as it seems to have good reviews almost everywhere. I'm not overly concerned about gaining every last kw from the bike or every last km out of the chain... if it wears in 3000km instead of 10000km then that is fine with me...so log as I have a reasonably smooth and gunk free chain and cassette without significant maintenance.
I'm hopeful something along the following lines would work;
I understand that something like Squirt (or any wax) is not ideal for wet weather unless cleaned and dried properly afterwards but I can probably deal with these extra steps given most of my riding is dry.
Interested to hear what people's chain cleaning routine is and whether you change it dependent on weather or summer/winter riding?
Having recently started MTB I started using a wax (Zefal Extra Dry). That works fine but does not last and I suspected was never as slick as lube. After a recent bike clean, I went back to regular oil based lube. The difference was noticeable, much smoother and quieter but after one dusty ride the chain is absolutely filthy and full of sand and other debris - now I have to completely strip down mine and my son's drivetrain after one ride.
So I started reading and now understand the advantages and limitations of various products (oil/wax/hot wax etc). I'm keen to find a year round solution even if I have to compromise somewhere.
Hot wax ain't for me and making my own recipe is not on the cards (found an interesting thread on this forum about that). Thinking about buying a bottle of Squirt as it seems to have good reviews almost everywhere. I'm not overly concerned about gaining every last kw from the bike or every last km out of the chain... if it wears in 3000km instead of 10000km then that is fine with me...so log as I have a reasonably smooth and gunk free chain and cassette without significant maintenance.
I'm hopeful something along the following lines would work;
- Get everything super clean.
- Liberally apply squirt
- Ride bike
- Re-apply some squirt
- Clean chain and cassette every ......(hour/kms/days) ?
- Go back to number 1 or 7.
- Wait until something wears out.
I understand that something like Squirt (or any wax) is not ideal for wet weather unless cleaned and dried properly afterwards but I can probably deal with these extra steps given most of my riding is dry.
Interested to hear what people's chain cleaning routine is and whether you change it dependent on weather or summer/winter riding?