Lubing a bike chain

[@robertmcfadyen9156]

A rider I sponsor has reported seeing differing ideas by various teams in the U.C.I. Enduro mountain bike category , with respect to chain lubrication practices .

[@ShawnIsBatman]

The video by Josh is great and definitely has logic and merit, however, your brief demo where you showed where to apply the lube while using a bottle of Squirt lube (when referencing the Silca video) was a bit off the mark.

[@vitalbikechains]

How far off would you say?

[@robertmcfadyen9156]

Zero Friction Cycling's ideas about chain lubrication have merit , but there is increasing debate about lubrication practises , even in U.C.I. circles . Given that what a rider uses is mostly sponsor agreement related . Zero Friction's test methods are not internationally "BENCHMARKED" .

[@dawn_rider]

Probably the 'debate' is what ZFC wants ? It's in the interests of individual lube manufacturers ( a general principle ) to either have no test standards or their own which favor the material properties of their own products ( e.g. full tension test V derailleur setup ) . Currently there is no international test standard for bike chain lubricants so one needs creating. It's a 'chicken or egg' situation. No doubt ZFC will take note of the debate ( if he is told the sources and gets the chance to read it ) and may evolve the test procedures ?

[@robertmcfadyen9156]

@dawn_rider I was your 'first' subscriber , and that became the case a year ago when I left a post relating to Adam Kerin , recommending a Connex Wippermann products test program . I saw your response saying you have used their chains , which caught my eye and raised some interest . I have most of their products in stock and use them on all my bicycle fleet , as well as those of close friends . I have a bicycle repair and build business like that of "Bike Shed Boy" . Look at his channel if you can .

[@dawn_rider]

In my previous comment I should have made it clear that I think a lack of industry standards benefits lube manufacturers who either know they don't have a competitive product or don't care , NOT all of them. Standards can be a marketing asset as long as all the major industry players agree on them. Choosing a particular test to make a product seem better than competitors is not good , especially for a test not representative of real world use. Since the ZFC tests are NOT being contested by quite a few of the major industry players ( at least I haven’t seen it ) suggests they think they are reasonable tests. Even M-O have had a couple of years to criticize and to my knowledge, publicly have said nothing.

[@robertmcfadyen9156]

@@dawn_rider The Australian distributour for Muc - Off doesn't want to give hints about their chain lubricant test methods . This is why they haven't commented on Adam Kerin's channel .

[@dawn_rider]

​@ If M-O publicly state their test protocol , everyone can scrutinize it. It's acceptable for companies to withhold ingredients or details about a production process. Hiding details of a testing process creates a poor public image and leaves room for speculation. If M-O had a valid case against ZFC it's likely they would have crushed Adam legally by now ? They probably just thought that his impact is minimal and that most of their customers would know no better / are apathetic ?

[@robertmcfadyen9156]

In 1996 a daring local was doing nearly 10 metre high jumps on a Giant Warp Downhill Team edition . This would have been a near record for the time .