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Switched to wax-based chain lube and my drivetrain stayed clean for 3 weeks straight
I used to run wet lube on my commuter bike and after 2 days the chain would look like a muddy mess. Cleaned everything off, degreased twice, and put on some Squirt lube. After 3 weeks and 150 miles, the chain still looks almost new and no black gunk buildup anywhere. Anyone else seen a big drop in how often you have to clean stuff after switching?
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simon_coleman3mo ago
Wait, didn't you find the Squirt lube leaves a weird plastic-y coating that picks up dust in dry weather? I tried it on my gravel bike and after a month the chain had this hard crust that was actually harder to clean than the regular wet lube mess. I swapped back to just using a dry lube and wiping off the chain after every ride. That seems to work better for me, even if I have to reapply more often. What kind of riding conditions are you in where it stays clean that long?
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tyler_white423mo ago
Have you tried just diluting the Squirt with a little bit of water before you apply it? I found that if I put it on too thick, it does exactly what you described, but if I thin it out just a touch and let it soak in for a few minutes before wiping off the excess, that crust never forms. I ride mostly on dry, dusty gravel trails here in Colorado and I get maybe two weeks of fairly clean running before I need to reapply. The key for me was really letting the chain dry fully after the first application.
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