Have questions or want to discuss cycling? Join Now or Sign In to participate in the BikeRide community.

New: Take Part in the May's Giveaway: Win the LIVALL PikaBoost 2 E-bike Conversion Kit


Chinese hardware store chain lube substitute?
#1
I am on my first major bike tour and am in the middle of nowhere in China, after 2 weeks of rain and mud, and have run out of chain lube. There is no bicycle shop which will stock syn lube or any other bicycle-specific lubricant for hundreds of miles. What else will work? (considered common vegetable oil but apparently this is bad...)

  Reply
#2
Any lubrication is better than none, even furniture "wax".<br />
Thin oil will penetrate the inner parts of a chain but will soon need replenishing.<br />
I have used standard engine oil on my MTB's but it soon gets black.

Ride hard or ride home alone!
  Reply
#3
@ cycleruk Engine oil works ok but attracts a huge amount of dirt. Im in the process of cleaning my bike of all the dirt now Big Grin
  Reply
#4
(03-20-2011, 12:10 PM)los Wrote:  @ cycleruk Engine oil works ok but attracts a huge amount of dirt. Im in the process of cleaning my bike of all the dirt now Big Grin

ya, this always happen in rainy season if you ignore the dirt then it rust the metal part.
Bike Rack || Bike Rack Reviews
  Reply
#5
If you can find a molybdenum base spray lubricant, such as

Sprayon Moly Roller Chain & Sprocket Lube
PN: S00202

It foams into the chain to penetrate the links. Then like all oils it evaporates over time, however the "Moly" leaves a residual dry lubricant to extend the life of the application
  Reply
#6
muc-off teflon chain lube is good only used it once
  Reply


Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
The deadliest U.S. counties for cyclists
Today 10:53 AM
Quiet is good
Today 10:48 AM
The great thing about trikes
Today 10:39 AM
Wearable Fitness Trackers
Yesterday 03:52 PM
Tubeless vs. tubes: What are the pros an...
Yesterday 03:33 PM
Climbing hills: Where have you found the...
Yesterday 11:48 AM
What is your favorite MTB trail/route in...
Yesterday 11:08 AM
Mental Health Warning: Recumbents May Ca...
05-24-2025 08:58 AM
braking by reversing the pedals
05-24-2025 08:52 AM
Urtopia Carbon Fold
05-23-2025 03:04 PM

[-]
Join BikeRide on Strava
Feel free to join if you are on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/bikeridecom

[-]
Top 5 Posters This Month
no avatar 1. Painkiller
17 posts
no avatar 2. Flowrider
17 posts
no avatar 3. rydabent
13 posts
no avatar 4. meamoantonio
12 posts
no avatar 5. GirishH
11 posts