Chain Lube

I've tried just about every chain lube there is...well, I was going to try boiling the chain in wax, but I decided that was not going to work very well.    Some are "wet" lubes that "attract" dirt (dirt tends to accumulates on the chain).  Some are "dry" lubes that "shed" dirt.  The holy grail is a long lasting chain lube that keeps your chain running quiet and clean.  The best one I've found out there was ProLink.  Not only is it fairly clean, but you can put on a little extra and clean the chain, often avoiding the need to degrease it.

I have several bikes, and when you maintain them all, you end up using a lot of chain lube.  I finally got sick of buying those expensive little bottles at the bike shop, so I did some looking.

At first, I was looking for a huge container of Prolink, and you can actually buy it in a 32oz container.  And ProGold, another lube by the same company, even comes in containers up to 55 gallons!  I don't know how that'd work on a bike chain, though.

What I eventually did is brew my own.  Yup, I made my own chain lube.  I made a single batch about two years ago, and I still have a ton left over.

The ingredients I used -- one quart of synthetic motor oil, and one gallon of odorless mineral sprits.

Mobil 1 Tri Synthetic Formula Motor Oil odorlessmineralspirits

I poured one quart of mineral spirits out into another container for later use, and poured in the quart of synthetic oil.  I replaced the cap, shook it up, and refilled about five of those little lube bottles I had hanging around my garage using a plastic funnel (the caps pop out for easy refilling).

The idea is the mineral spirits thin the oil so it can get into the chain's rollers, where it needs to be. It will then evaporate, leaving just the right amount of oil behind. 

A bonus is this works as a great cleaner, too.  I'll saturate the chain, spin it around about 30 times or so, and then wipe it clean.  It's best to let the bike sit for a while to let the mineral spirits evaporate.  I'll probably lube the chain every other ride, and certainly before any big ride I do.

Lubing your chain often is key to keeping it clean when you use a "wet" lube.  Since this stuff has oil in it, it certainly will attract dust and grime well.  However, if you lube and wipe down the chain often (wipe it all off, the important stuff is in the rollers), it will never build up and get very dirty.  If you let it go too long, you'll get a black yucky chain, and black yucky chainrings to match.  This was true when I was using TriFlow, too, which is also a wet lube.

So there you go - home brew chain lube.  If you've got a better formula, let me know!  Maybe I'll switch when I run out of this stuff in 2010.

PROS: Cheap, works well, helps keep chain clean, you'll never run out
CONS: Attracts dirt more than "dry" lube, requires frequent use and drying time for best results, friends may make fun of you

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Comments (Comment Moderation is enabled. Your comment will not appear until approved.)
I`m on it, was this all purchased at the auto parts store?
# Posted By Guy Smith | 3/4/08 7:15 AM
I got it all at Fred Meyer, actually.
# Posted By erikv | 3/4/08 7:19 AM
# Posted By gewilli | 3/4/08 9:14 AM
That's a fine idea...I'll call it EVerLube.

Maybe I'm a civilized Red Green wannabe Redneck, minus the chew and pickup truck. I've got plenty of duct tape, and a workshop all to myself.
# Posted By erikv | 3/4/08 9:23 AM
EVerLube... sounds less like a bike lube and more like some other kind of lube honestly...

And remember, if the women don’t find you handsome, they should at least find you handy!
# Posted By gewilli | 3/4/08 9:57 AM
best thing - you set up a handful of guys (or gals who like to get dirty) around the country with empty bottles and they go buy the stuff mix and fill.
PYRAMID scheme...

the AMWAY of cross culture
# Posted By gewilli | 3/4/08 10:53 AM
Oooh, good point. The world could also use a real-life version of "Steve Martin's All Natural P3nis Beauty Cream." That might sell well, and to a larger demographic, no less!
# Posted By erikv | 3/4/08 11:01 AM
Wait, what?
Lube on a chain?
That's just crazy enough to work.
I'll bring my bike over on friday.
# Posted By Richard | 3/4/08 3:30 PM
See Zinn's posting on today's Velonews regarding ProLink. You may really be on to something, Erik.
# Posted By King | 3/4/08 7:02 PM
I personally prefer to use salt water.


Actually, this is a great idea. I may just give it a try (the homemade lube not the salt water)
# Posted By Porter | 3/5/08 6:08 AM
boiling in wax has it's long lived success stories and so too the motor oil and mineral spirits. I have used both in my hair with equal success.
# Posted By LePompadour | 3/5/08 11:49 AM
My bro met a guy who made a fortune selling such a cheap mix in little bottles at bike shops - your turn Erik.

I think regular oil would work as well as synthetic - the benefit of synthetic is that it lasts longer with heat in an engine - no better cold I think.

Also, I wonder what the best ratio is, or if it matters...
# Posted By Frank | 11/14/08 12:16 PM
# Posted By Frank | 11/14/08 12:35 PM
I was a painter in a previous life. Mineral spirits and paint thinner are the same stuff. I'm also a pilot and Stoddard solvent and paint thinner are the same. Paint thinner can sometimes be found in larger paint/hardware stores for $2-3.00 a gallon.

Thanks for the concoction!
# Posted By ted | 3/18/09 5:53 PM