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


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
Newbie
Yesterday 11:34 PM
What are the pros and cons of clip-on pe...
Yesterday 11:33 PM
Tubeless vs. tubes: What are the pros an...
Yesterday 11:03 PM
With several methods of shipping being p...
Yesterday 04:12 PM
Close call yesterday! Why are brakes not...
Yesterday 07:01 AM
E-Bikes: The Game-Changer for Cyclists
Yesterday 01:33 AM
Cycling is Anti-Aging, But There's a Cat...
Yesterday 01:09 AM
Wishing you an Awesome 2025 & many fun r...
Yesterday 12:49 AM
Tips for Cyclists
Yesterday 12:32 AM
Colnago Steelnovo, a 3D printed steel bi...
02-10-2025 10:53 AM

[-]
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. Flowrider
19 posts
no avatar 2. GirishH
15 posts
no avatar 3. SPINMAN
14 posts
no avatar 4. meamoantonio
14 posts
no avatar 5. enkei
11 posts