Chain Lube vs Chain Wax

[helloimbronson98]

ive always used chain lube but wanted to see everyones opinions on wax it seems like alot of streetbike guys run it. i ride alot of fast really dusty desert so let me know what yall think thanks in advance.

[shrubitup]

Add a tag: WD-40

[Guest]

I don’t use any lube, my chain is a sealed o ring chain. I do occasionally spray silicone after washing and or I dry the chain.

[turbo dan]

Maxima chain wax is excellent.  Apply over the rollers, let it dry and it attracts no dust.

I also run an oring chain and have also stopped applying chain lube.  Seems to be no issue.  A little lube over the rollers once in a while is a good idea but I am no longer applying after each ride.  Seems to have had no effect on chain life.

[kdxyardsale]

X-ring chain here and switched to wax a few years ago, no chain issues probably coat it every third ride. Ride in lots of dust attracts a lot less dirt than lube. I prefer wax now.

[SabbathHead]

I go through cans of Wd40 like crazy ,  from chain to plastics on my bikes

[Kompact]

I had always thought wax was for street and lube for dirt. Just figured the wax being thicker would trap more dirt so I've never tried it.

[BOAB]

8 hours ago, Kompact said:

I had always thought wax was for street and lube for dirt. Just figured the wax being thicker would trap more dirt so I've never tried it.

It turns your chain into a giant waxy ball of goo.  I quit using chain wax several years ago.  Regular chain lube like Lucas or even Liquid Wrench is all I use.  It gets down into the rollers on a non o ring chain, which is what you want for that type of chain.  Let is sit for 15 minutes then wipe off the excess.  Much better way to care for a chain.

As for o ring chains.  Whatever.

Edited January 18, 2018 by cjjeepercreeper

[69fastback]

Ohhhhh it’s been a month or two since a we’ve had a chain lube thread!  I use rotella. 

[BOAB]

16 minutes ago, 69fastback said:

Ohhhhh it’s been a month or two since a we’ve had a chain lube thread!  I use rotella. 

Exactly.  But I love it when I get the opportunity to say how crappy chain wax is.

[markmc2]

cheap walmart chain lube seems to fling all over my rear wheel and swingarm. maybe i need to dry it better. 

manual says to remove chain, clean in fuel, then oil with your old engine oil. i imagine that would fling all over the place.

[NoFiddyPilot]

Sikolene synthetic chain lube fan here:
https://www.amazon.com/SILKOLENE-CHAIN-SYNTHETIC-14-5OZ-89-0403/dp/B007S3215Y/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1516288093&sr=8-2&keywords=silkolene+chain+lube

Doesn't seem to fling off or attract a lot of dirt. And, it keeps the drive system nice and quiet.

[BOAB]

12 minutes ago, markmc2 said:

cheap walmart chain lube seems to fling all over my rear wheel and swingarm. maybe i need to dry it better. 

manual says to remove chain, clean in fuel, then oil with your old engine oil. i imagine that would fling all over the place.

Every couple rides I wipe my chain with kerosene.  Then I lube it with chain lube and let it sit for awhile.  Then wipe it off.  No problem with flinging.  If you spray lube on then immediately ride you will get it everywhere.

[BOAB]

5 minutes ago, Bryan Bosch said:

Sikolene synthetic chain lube fan here:
https://www.amazon.com/SILKOLENE-CHAIN-SYNTHETIC-14-5OZ-89-0403/dp/B007S3215Y/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1516288093&sr=8-2&keywords=silkolene+chain+lube

Doesn't seem to fling off or attract a lot of dirt. And, it keeps the drive system nice and quiet.

$25 for a can of chain lube!

I sure hope you like it...ALOT!

[markmc2]

i have used that Silko stuff. it is very tacky when dry (less fling). i'm too cheap to buy more though.

[NoFiddyPilot]

7 minutes ago, cjjeepercreeper said:

$25 for a can of chain lube!

I sure hope you like it...ALOT!

I shower with it, amongst other things.

[levy1]

I like Lubin greasy oil but don't really know which one is better

[BSAVictor]

I use the separate Dupont chain cleaner, then their chain wax---get them at either Pep Boys or Walmart.  Yeah, some brushin and wiping before, in-between, and after the cleaner and wax.  Took me awhile to understand that this wax is very thin and doesn't gum up like, say, some candle wax or beeswax like my preconception was.  I like that their chain wax also has pressure-resistant additive molybdenum disulfide, and helps the ferrous metal parts of my chains resist rust.  I do rides thru water almost every ride, so rust is a consideration for me.  And I have never in some 50 years of riding had so little dirt deposited on my chains/sprockets since I started using chain wax---just my 2 cents....

PERSONALLY I CAN'T WAIT TIL THESE FELLERS FIGURES OUT HOW TO ROUTINELY USE SOME KIND OF BELT DRIVES ON DIRT BIKE SOES ALL I HAVE TO DO IS RIDE THE BIKE ONCET, ADJUST THE BELT ONCET, AND THEN GO RIDIN AND SPEND TIME ON OTHER THINGS!!!

 

Edited January 18, 2018 by BSAVictor

[NoFiddyPilot]

1 minute ago, BSAVictor said:

I use the separate Dupont chain cleaner, then their chain wax---get them at either Pep Boys or Walmart.  Yeah, some brushin and wiping before, in-between, and after.  Took me awhile to understand that this wax is very thin and doesn't gum up like, say, some candle wax or beeswax like my preconception was.  I like that their chain wax also has pressure-resistant additive molybdenum disulfide, and helps the ferrous metal parts of my chains resist rust.  I do rides thru water almost every ride, so rust is a consideration for me.  And I have never in some 50 years of riding had so little dirt deposited on my chains/sprockets since I started using chain wax---just my 2 cents....

PERSONALLY I CAN'T WAIT TIL THESE FELLERS FIGURES OUT HOW TO ROUTINELY USE SOME KIND OF BELT DRIVES ON DIRT BIKE SOES ALL I HAVE TO DO IS RIDE THE BIKE ONCET, ADJUST THE BELT ONCET, AND THEN GO RIDIN AND SPEND TIME ON OTHER THINGS!!!

 

It would appear that belt drives and rocks aren't good bedfellows. Just ask the Buell Ulysses ADV bike riders. Those that go off-road wish they had a chain drive.

[BSAVictor]

That's why I wrote "figures out"....