Silca limited-edition chain lube

[R3awak3n]

A lot of people love the NFS stuff, one of those products that has a cult following thing, you must love it and it must be the best. I used it for a few years, it is good stuff as it it does its job but I am not as enamored with it as everyone else.

I actually switched to rock-N-roll extreme. I think it does MUCH better in wet and muddy situations and its not as messy (still messy but its not sticky and no mess after a ride, the NFS stuff after you ride is a mess, gotta wipe that thing everytime). I never noticed my drivetrain quieter or faster or more accurate or whatever it be with NFS, its just a chain lube like anything else (like I said, its a good chain lube but I don't get the love for it as if it is a product from God).


As far as this Silca lube, I may try it just because I like to try new things. I want to try wax too but just too much of a setup for the lazy in me.

[AngryScientist]

Just want to point out that Silca is one of our sponsors here, and i think they make some great products. Sure, they have had some "misses" also, but they're out there engineering, innovating and producing new and interesting products for the cycling market, and that's a good thing.

i've been using my own home brew chain lube for years, which i constantly tinker and refine the formula, because i find that interesting to see what works better etc. - but i would give the silca stuff a try just to see.

funny after all these years, chain lube is a conversation that always gets people talking

[oldguy00]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

Just want to point out that Silca is one of our sponsors here, and i think they make some great products. Sure, they have had some "misses" also, but they're out there engineering, innovating and producing new and interesting products for the cycling market, and that's a good thing.

i've been using my own home brew chain lube for years, which i constantly tinker and refine the formula, because i find that interesting to see what works better etc. - but i would give the silca stuff a try just to see.

funny after all these years, chain lube is a conversation that always gets people talking

Agree. While I've had just as good luck with R&R gold....IF I were still using wet lubes, I'd probably try to support Silca first.
Actually just started mountain biking for the first time in my life, and I plan to just use wet lube on that. Maybe I'll grab a bottle to try on the MTB (mostly dry trail riding).

[gibbo]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

Just want to point out that Silca is one of our sponsors here, and i think they make some great products. Sure, they have had some "misses" also, but they're out there engineering, innovating and producing new and interesting products for the cycling market, and that's a good thing.

i've been using my own home brew chain lube for years, which i constantly tinker and refine the formula, because i find that interesting to see what works better etc. - but i would give the silca stuff a try just to see.

funny after all these years, chain lube is a conversation that always gets people talking

What’s your formula if I can be so bold as to ask? I have been doing the same with a combination of synthetic motor oil and mentholated spirits, I like a mix of 2 parts mentholated spirits to 1 part oil.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[weiwentg]

Originally Posted by R3awak3n

...

I actually switched to rock-N-roll extreme. I think it does MUCH better in wet and muddy situations and its not as messy (still messy but its not sticky and no mess after a ride, the NFS stuff after you ride is a mess, gotta wipe that thing everytime). I never noticed my drivetrain quieter or faster or more accurate or whatever it be with NFS, its just a chain lube like anything else (like I said, its a good chain lube but I don't get the love for it as if it is a product from God).
...

I like my NFS, but I mainly ride in dry conditions and I haven't tried Rock N Roll. However, you do have a point: NFS may be a relatively clean lube, but it still does produce gunk.

I'm definitely considering Silca's wax lube, but I'm not yet 100% certain. One selling point for submersion waxing (e.g. MSW or home brew paraffin) is that dunking the chain in the hot wax should get all the last bits of contamination out of the insides of the chain. You can do submersion with Silca's stuff, but it doesn't look like it was designed to be heated (we know it's an alcohol carrier, so that could vaporize under heat). How much of a difference does the heating make? I don't know.

Also, I would like to know how well Silca's lube stands up to grit contamination before I make a decision.

[oldguy00]

Originally Posted by weiwentg

I like my NFS, but I mainly ride in dry conditions and I haven't tried Rock N Roll. However, you do have a point: NFS may be a relatively clean lube, but it still does produce gunk.

I'm definitely considering Silca's wax lube, but I'm not yet 100% certain. One selling point for submersion waxing (e.g. MSW or home brew paraffin) is that dunking the chain in the hot wax should get all the last bits of contamination out of the insides of the chain. You can do submersion with Silca's stuff, but it doesn't look like it was designed to be heated (we know it's an alcohol carrier, so that could vaporize under heat). How much of a difference does the heating make? I don't know.

Also, I would like to know how well Silca's lube stands up to grit contamination before I make a decision.

I've been doing molten speed wax for a couple years now, and this has -not- been my experience. If you put a dirty chain in the hot wax.....it'll get a fresh wax coating, but will still be a little dirty underneath. If I want my chain to be really clean, I clean it with mineral spirits first, rinse, then molten wax.

As for gunk on chains.....again, nothing against silca, but anything that comes in a liquid format in a bottle is gonna attract way more dirt than true waxing.

Can't comment on how they compare in terms of lubrication (though MSW has been shown to be fastest in several tests), but if you want truly clean chain and drivetrain, real waxing is the only way to go IMHO.

[Clancy]

Reminds me of the saying I learned as a young one.... “You dance with the one that brought you” meaning that I think most of us stick with whatever we’re brought up with or taught to use. The first serious bike shop I hung around in always used Dumonde Tech chain lube. It’s still what I use a couple of decades later. I’ve used other stuff from time to time but when I smell The Dumonde lube it’s like smelling comfort food.

As much as technology is involved in cycling, it’s also about emotions. Even with chain lube it seems!

[MikeD]

Originally Posted by oldguy00

I've been doing molten speed wax for a couple years now, and this has -not- been my experience. If you put a dirty chain in the hot wax.....it'll get a fresh wax coating, but will still be a little dirty underneath. If I want my chain to be really clean, I clean it with mineral spirits first, rinse, then molten wax.



As for gunk on chains.....again, nothing against silca, but anything that comes in a liquid format in a bottle is gonna attract way more dirt than true waxing.



Can't comment on how they compare in terms of lubrication (though MSW has been shown to be fastest in several tests), but if you want truly clean chain and drivetrain, real waxing is the only way to go IMHO.

I think the solvent in the Silca wax evaporates overnight and leaves a solid wax.

[jpritchet74]

Originally Posted by oldguy00

I've been doing molten speed wax for a couple years now, and this has -not- been my experience. If you put a dirty chain in the hot wax.....it'll get a fresh wax coating, but will still be a little dirty underneath. If I want my chain to be really clean, I clean it with mineral spirits first, rinse, then molten wax.

As for gunk on chains.....again, nothing against silca, but anything that comes in a liquid format in a bottle is gonna attract way more dirt than true waxing.

I do things just like you. It's easy. My understanding is that the "liquid" part of the Silca product is alcohol, so that just evaporates and you have your waxed chain. That's my simple brain interpretation of what I remember.

I bought it because sometimes my chains need waxing but then it's a week until I can dedicate the time to waxing. Cleaning the chains is quick, but I have to wax on weekends when I am home all day - the crock pot takes a couple of hours to get the wax melted, then I leave the chains in there for 3-4 hours. This way if I need a waxing job done quick then I can Silca my chain.

[MikeD]

Originally Posted by joosttx

I do and it is the way to go. I have 3 chains and just rotate them out.

How many miles before you change to another chain? I experimented with wax many years ago (including blends with motor and gear oil and graphite), but found it didn't last all that long and required a lot more time and effort than a drip lube. I read recently that microcrystalline wax works a lot better, but just used some brand of paraffin I bought in a store.

[jpritchet74]

Originally Posted by MikeD

How many miles before you change to another chain? I experimented with wax many years ago (including blends with motor and gear oil and graphite), but found it didn't last all that long and required a lot more time and effort than a drip lube. I read recently that microcrystalline wax works a lot better, but just used some brand of paraffin I bought in a store.

Depending on your riding conditions, a waxed chain can last up to 300 miles. Less if in the wet or dirty road conditions. Once you can hear the chain, it's time to wax or swap to a previously waxed chain.

[LegendRider]

I've found NFS to be good, but it seems to attract slightly more grime than other lubes even using the 12 drop method. It's very similar to Chain-L in my experience.

By the way, whatever happened to Chain-L? For a short time it was the gold standard for many on this forum.

I don't think my drivetrain was ever quieter than when using Squirt, but the build-up drove me nuts. Has anyone used Chain Butter?

[fiamme red]

Originally Posted by fiamme red

Josh from Silca shows how to clean a chain properly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yM4c7MwEmMs.

Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3Z1H1Z5GkU.

[Ozz]

The only chain lube I ever really hated was White Lightning....goes on liquid, dries to a clumpy waxy mess.....clogs rear derailleur pulleys like nothing else....ugh.

Currently use ATB...bought a couple bottles years ago...works great. Dumonde Tech is good too.

[CAAD]

I never understood the waxing thing and multiple chains. Chains are cheap. Just use a chain until it wears out and replace. I use NFS and get thousands of miles out of my chains. What more do you need? A quick wipe with a rag, fresh NFS.