White Lightning - the lube

[bikerRob]

9/09/06 >> I've been using this stuff since I've been Mtnbiking. I know some people didn't like it but I've always loved how quiet my chain was when using it. Yeah, it did leave a waxie build-up but it was the wax that kept the dirt from sticking to the chain and made the chain so quiet. I had no problems with taking the chain off a couple times a year to give it a good soaking and while it was off then brushing all the build-up off of the chain rings. It worked for me. I just bought a new bottle a couple weeks ago with ads that claim, "easy shake, no build up". After running this now for the last couple weeks I can't help but notice that my chain is getting much more sand sticking to it and it is not near as quieting as the old stuff. What bothers me is the fact that the bottle claims this is the "Original" version. That is such a crock! If I didn't know any better I would swear this is the version that they used to package as, "Race Day", ( which I, for one, never liked for the same said reason ) Anyone else ( using W.L. ) have any comments?

[riderx]

I've been a long time fan of White Lightening. I've used it for years, tried other stuff and kept coming back. I am what you would call a loyal customer. But the last batch I bought was not wearing like normal. I normally would lube my chain before every ride and all would be well. The new batch, well I wouldn't even get done my ride before the lube was gone and the chain was squeaking. Finally switched over to Finish Line Cross Country wet lube (the green stuff). Messier, but at least my lube lasts the whole ride. In fact it now lasts a few rides.

Been meaning to contact WL about this, maybe I'll finally get around to it.

[saxman]

I tried WL, but wasn't that crazy about it. I've used Finish Line Cross Country for a couple of years. The sludge build-up drives me nuts, but the stuff stays on the chain through just about any conditions imaginable, including getting completely submerged at the creek crossing at HM.

[soreback]

try Prolink Gold Lubricant with MFR

[markie]

Finish line cross-country is the stickiest nastiest lube in the world.

I am with soreback (although it was originally recommended to me by Drevil), the pro-link stuff if pretty great.

[drewdane]

Finish line cross-country is the stickiest nastiest lube in the world.

I am with soreback (although it was originally recommended to me by Drevil), the pro-link stuff if pretty great.
3rd the Pro-link for the MTB. Set it and forget it.

I use wax lube (White Lightning at the moment) for the road bike. It seems to hold up best against the fine-ground schmutz kicked up from asphalt, curbs and gutters. I don't use it on the MTBs 'cause I find it has to be reapplied too often when exposed to dirt/sand/mud.

I can't stand Finish Line CC. That stuff's a crud magnet.

[bikerRob]

9/09/06 >> I've thought about trying Prolink for a while. I now finally have a reason to spend the bucks. I tried all the Finish line products years ago and also tried Pedros dry-lube which was not too bad but none of those worked as well as W.L. at keeping dirt/sand off of the drivetrain. IMO I think it is one of the reasons why my cassettes/chainrings/chains seem to last longer than what others have reported. With the old W.L. you had to shake the bottle real hard to get the white stuff ( that would settle on the bottom ) to mix with the other liquid. The nice thing about WL was that you could apply it 20 mins before a ride and by the time you got to your ride site the stuff was dry and ready to rock. Last night after my ride I applied some and than wiped the chain down and had it sit over night. The chain seems a little more quiet today. Maybe the new stuff just needs more time to dry...not sure. I did notice that on the ride I took yesterday that the chain did stay clean so the jury's still out on wither I'll continue using it. (* I just sent W.L. a comment on their web site )

[rupped]

I've settled on Pedro's Ice Wax aerosol. It is a low pressure spray that lays a line of the lube on your chain. The consistency is consistant (versus the liquid lubes). It is expensive and people complain that it doesn't last (I haven't had this problem, but I'm out of shape and don't ride more than a few hours). It does need to dry before use. My routine is to hose off the bike post ride, dry it off, and apply lube. It's ready to go for the next ride. Read the directions for first use.

[Pinoy Rider]

4th on the prolink Gold lube. I've been using it for about a month and I like it a lot. I would love to try the Rock n Roll gold lube also, however, I haven't found a local place that carries it though.

[langer]

Guess I'll throw in my $.02.
I'm hooked on Rock-n-roll lube. Brilliant stuff and it lasts quite a while. I ran out a little while ago and have been using Finish Line, which is sticky but I couldn't care less on my single speed.
-jon

[dcraider]

4th on the prolink Gold lube. I've been using it for about a month and I like it a lot. I would love to try the Rock n Roll gold lube also, however, I haven't found a local place that carries it though.


City Bikes carries Rock N Roll Lube. You may want to call first to make sure they have it in stock. I use the same stuff and love it like left over microwaved spaghetti.

Your best bet, blueskycycling.com, I bought three bottles from them and saved 7 bucks (even after shipping) over buying from City Bikes. I do/did buy from them before and know they do carry it.

Kris

[glader60]

I have tried several lubes with wax and don't like any of them, too much build up. And really, wax for a lube? Maybe quite, but only because that wax fills in all the slop in the chain. I have a ti rear cassette and it makes noise when the chain needs more lube. All the lubes I've tried will start to make noise after my second ride, except T9 or Prolink. Try either of these, they're great! :D

[Pinoy Rider]

Which one do you like between prolink and t9?

[glader60]

I have only been using prolink for the last 2 months. I need some more time with it before I'd give it the edge over T9. So far they seem very close, though the T9 smells better than the prolink....

[cowboy00242]

I've used WL for a few years now and have never been let down by it. Really hate the oil-based stuff (tried a few) as they always turn into a muddy, sticky slime. I haven't had to buy WL new for a while (I bought the big-ass 3-bottle pack last year on sale), but have heard others complain about newer "formulations". What 's up with "Epic" formula?

[bunky]

I've been itching to try this stuff since I read the thread below.

http://www.purpleextreme.com/

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?p=381343

[Squirrel Girl]

I've been itching to try this stuff since I read the thread below.

http://www.purpleextreme.com/

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?p=381343So, like, Dood.... This is the 21st century. Howz come you haven't gotten on the internet or the phone, and ordered some. And howz come this isn't a posting of how great or sucky *you* think it *really* is so we can know if we should buy it, too????????????????????
;) :)

[drevil]

City Bikes carries Rock N Roll Lube. You may want to call first to make sure they have it in stock. I use the same stuff and love it like left over microwaved spaghetti.

Your best bet, blueskycycling.com, I bought three bottles from them and saved 7 bucks (even after shipping) over buying from City Bikes. I do/did buy from them before and know they do carry it.

KrisI've tried all the other stuff, and RnR Extreme Lube has emerged as my favorite.

[Pinoy Rider]

All weather conditions for RnR Extreme Lube?

[dcraider]

All weather conditions for RnR Extreme Lube?

Pretty Much. I did an epic ride with a few friends of mine, that include creek crossings, mud, dirt, and many miles. They were complaining of their drivetrains creaking and scratching while mine was still super smooth.

I'm hooked on the stuff.

[bunky]

So, like, Dood.... This is the 21st century. Howz come you haven't gotten on the internet or the phone, and ordered some. And howz come this isn't a posting of how great or sucky *you* think it *really* is so we can know if we should buy it, too????????????????????
;) :)

Well, I still have a half-empty 55 gallon drum of Astroglide I got at the Sam's Club and that's been working out pretty good for me. :eek: Figure I'll get through that and then see where we are.

[Squirrel Girl]

Well, I still have a half-empty 55 gallon drum of Astroglide I got at the Sam's Club and that's been working out pretty good for me. :eek: Figure I'll get through that and then see where we are.Alrighty. LMAO :D

[allencb]

I've been using Boeshield T9 for nearly 10 years now. I tried WL and another water-based paraffin lube and didn't like having to lube my chain every time I rode. I also had problems with those lubes washing off in long, wet rides. On one ride in WV, I lubed my chain the night before, yet it was squeaking within 15 miles. Ever since switching to T9, I can lube my chain and ride upwards of 100 miles before it needs to be relubed (more if conditions are bone dry without creek crossings). Even though it's oil based, it still sheds crud fairly well and doesn't permanently stain clothing.

Chris

[TrailVictim]

I've been using Boeshield T9 for nearly 10 years now. I tried WL and another water-based paraffin lube and didn't like having to lube my chain every time I rode. I also had problems with those lubes washing off in long, wet rides. On one ride in WV, I lubed my chain the night before, yet it was squeaking within 15 miles. Ever since switching to T9, I can lube my chain and ride upwards of 100 miles before it needs to be relubed (more if conditions are bone dry without creek crossings). Even though it's oil based, it still sheds crud fairly well and doesn't permanently stain clothing.

Chris



Where around here can Boeshield or RnR be had?

[Pinoy Rider]

I saw a few bottles at REI Fairfax.

[allencb]

Where around here can Boeshield or RnR be had?
Offhand, I'm not sure. I'm still using the three bottles I purchased a few years ago. Back then, it was getting hard to find, so I stocked up. Since then, I've seen it more often, but I can't recall the specific shops.

Chris

[Pinoy Rider]

T9 Stuff. Bike Works down in Fredericksburg has RnR

[dcraider]

Where around here can Boeshield or RnR be had?


City Bikes carries RnR. Mr. Carbon himself, CityBikesMike, turned me on to the wonderful potion referred to as RnR.

I'd try to drink it if it wasn't so flammable. Wait, that doesnt stop me from partaking in Vodka...hmmm.

[bikerRob]

City Bikes carries RnR. Mr. Carbon himself, CityBikesMike, trun me on to the wonderful potion referred to as RnR.

I'd try to drink it if it wasn't so flammable. Wait, that doesnt stop me from partaking in Vodka...hmmm.

9/27/06 >> Last week I went on Safari looking for RnR. I stopped off at College Park bikes ( off of Knox Rd. ) because the web site listed them as a dealer. When I got there I was told that they don't stock it but "hey, we can order it".... :mad: Good to hear that City Bikes has RnR. Last week I picked up a bottle of Prolink gold at Pace Pace in Westminster (Md.). (It was their last bottle at the time.) I tried it on my F/S newer bike last weekend and it seems to hold up pretty good. The chain runs realatively quiet and that after several stream crossings. No noticable dirt build up but conditions were prime for low dirt fly up ( moist dirt, no dust ) I put some of this on my other older bike that has a 2+ year old chain on it and noticed that the chain is somewhat noisy. (not squeeky, just loud ) That just might be because the chain needs to be replaced so I'll hold off on blaming the lube. One thing about Prolink though is that it does smell quite a bit and if you're using it inside the smell will linger for a while (unlike WL )...and speaking of WL a week or so ago while at Bike Doctor in Fredrock (Frederick, Md.) as I was having a discussion with the guy working there, I notice a display of WL. I'm not sure but It just might be the stuff was the old kind because you had to really shake the bottles to mix it up. (Damn! I should of bought a bottle when I was there ) (If it doesn't have, "EZ- shake No build-up" written on it then it's the old version )

[TrailVictim]

I scooted down yonder to REI and I got me the last bottle of that there Boeshield stuff, thanks Pinoy.