The Chain Lube Secret You Won’t Believe

September 18th, 2009

Page Update: I knew this was going to be a touchy subject when I posted this, there is now debates on forums going on and you can check out what people are saying good and bad.
http://www.dorba2.com
http://www.utahmountainbiking.com
http://bentrideronline.com

I know I’m going to get called crazy for this one but I have over 500 miles of personal testing on this amazing little secret. In my many years of trail riding I have tried every bike and chain lube on the market, I remember when you could buy Tri-Flow at Wal-Mart for $1.29 for a big can of it. Now it’s sold in the bike shops for 10 times that amount! Times do change don’t they?

About 10 years ago I settled on the wax based lube that hit the market, they seemed to keep your chain and parts cleaner and last longer than oil based lube. In fact the brand I have used has changed names 3 times now, same product different bottle designs. Over the years I have also noticed the bottle size go down and the price go up! If you ride as much as I do and in the different types of trail conditions I meet, you use a lot of lube and this gets pricey over time. Not to mention they are not real eco-friendly.

About 60 days ago I gave the last of my wax to a ride buddy that was in need of some chain first aid. A few days latter I was on a ride and my chain was screaming at me, this was late on a Saturday and I knew the shop would be closed till Monday and I couldn’t miss my Sunday ride! so that night I got online and started looking for an alternative lube that I could get anywhere anytime. I found a lot of information about this subject being talked about on forums & blogs around the world.

One such lube being talked about was automatic transmission fluid, it’s cheep and you can buy it anywhere but again this was an eco-nightmare. That got me thinking this lube would need to be safe if not healthy for human consumption and that is when I hit upon a possible candidate. On an Australian forum I came across a discussion about a fruit oil that has a long history of uses and health benefits. The discussion had become very heated as people from around the world voiced their disbelief that this could be used as a bike and chain lube.

But the author said he had used this oil for 10 years now on both trail and road bikes and nothing he had ever seen had the longevity and protection like this did. So I thought why not give this a try and see for myself, I went out and bought 2.2 liters for only less than $10.00. I know you are wondering what this super oil is and I’m going to tell you just stay with me for a minute. I went through a learning process on how to use it that was different from what I was use to. At first I applied it to my chain like I did the wax, heavy wiping off the excess. After my first ride my chain was very dirty and grimy and I had to wipe it off.

At first I wasn’t very happy with what I was seeing, my chain was not making a sound but I was wiping it off before and after every ride. So I thought to myself let’s see how long it takes for this lube to break down and dry up. It was around 100 miles of riding when I started to understand what was happening, my chain was looking polished but the oil was still there and it was no longer collecting dirt! I realized at this point I had simply put way to much on my chain to began with. So for the next 100 miles I didn’t apply anymore, each ride before and after I would back pedal my chain through a rag. The chain stayed clean and very well lube, never making so much as a squeak on the trails.

In the past 60 days I have only used it 3 times, the second two were very light applications of it and I have started using it for my forks and other moving parts, always wiping off any extra. I’m amazed with what I have seen and how well this simple oil works, I still can’t get over how long it lasts and how well it protects even in wet conditions. So now we come to the part where I get called crazy but I would rather be crazy than stupid for wasting my money any other lube on the market!

Now for the big secret I have used Organic Virgin Olive Oil for the past 60 days and I’m a believer now! I know what you’re thinking and I have heard all the misguided thoughts about it but I have tested it and I will never go back to buying a sub standard lube again. The longevity of this oil is simply amazing and if used right your chain will look polished and clean even after a dusty dirty ride. Don’t take my word for it try it yourself and decide.