Chain Wax/Lube: DuPont vs Maxima vs Belray vs Tirox... etc

Which chain wax/lube do you PRIMARILY use?

  • DuPont (Teflon Chain-Saver)

    Votes: 35 46.7%

  • Maxima (Chain Wax)

    Votes: 11 14.7%

  • BelRay (SuperClean Chain Lube)

    Votes: 5 6.7%

  • Tirox (Chain Wax)

    Votes: 3 4.0%

  • Ipone brand

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Motul brand

    Votes: 8 10.7%

  • Wurth brand

    Votes: 3 4.0%

  • Motor oil (either new or used?)

    Votes: 4 5.3%

  • WD40

    Votes: 2 2.7%

  • (other: Please post and specify!)

    Votes: 4 5.3%
  • Total voters
    75
TekNinja81

TekNinja81

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Hey folks,

Here's a fun little poll that might be of use to both new and experienced riders alike.

Wondering who's using what chain wax/lube product (yes there's tons of threads on this), but additionally, what kind of mileage you're getting out of your chains & sprockets, as well as your personal thoughts on the product you've chosen.




Can't make a multi-question poll, so here's what I'd like you guys to do:

  1. As per the poll options, indicate which wax/lube product you mostly use. If yours isn't listed, post it in a response; same goes if you've switched between different products. I'd also like to know whether you ride in all/most conditions (winter/salty roads, rain, dirt etc)
  2. Post a response with details: How frequently you lube, what (if any) cleaning product/method you use, and your personal thoughts/mini-review on said product.
  3. Post the mileage you've gotten out of your current or past chains. i.e. if a chain lasted 25k KM, 40,000KM, etc before needing replacement, and how worn they were at that point.
  4. (added after initial post) What brand/kind of chain are you using? (D.I.D. VX, EK, RK, Renthal... 525/530.. etc), and why/review?


Alright folks, let's hear your own responses!
 
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Dupont for the win
 
My own answers -- Regarding the chain wax/lube:

  • I have used various products, but the main one for about the past 1.5-2 years has been DuPont Teflon Chain Saver. Prior to that I used Belray briefly, and Maxima Chain Wax for probably 2 years before that.
  • 2010 Ninja 250R had over 27,000km on it, pretty much entirely using Maxima Chain Wax, and the chain & sprockets were still in great condition when the bike was sold. Wax retains its waxy/lubricated feel, however, I find the Maxima wax can gunk up a lot, particularly inside the front sprocket cover.
  • Switched briefly from Maxima to Belray SuperClean Lube (the stuff that sprays on white) but felt despite its "anti-fling" claim, the stuff got all over everything and was a big pain to clean off. Switched back to Maxima for a while, until:
  • Started using the DuPont Teflon Chain-Saver product about 1.5-2 years ago, mostly due to popular recommendation. It's also nearly half the price of some of the products sold at dealerships for a similar capacity can. I find it goes on much cleaner and doesn't fling, but I have a hard time determining whether it's retaining the waxy/lubricated feeling after a few hundred KM, where other products clearly retained it.


Regarding the chain itself:

  • I ride in mostly all weather conditions; winter as long as there's not significant snow/ice on the roads, regardless of salt. Rain is no problem. I don't do much of any offroading, so the closest to dirt I get is dirt/gravel roads. Generally wax the chain every 300-500km, more frequently if I've been riding in bad conditions.
  • I've so far had to replace the chain & sprockets twice on my '05 V-Strom DL650 -- first at around 30k, 2nd at the 66k mark (so about 36k usage) -- the initial replacement was shortly after I bought the bike (had just over 23k on it) and the previous owner had left the bike in absolutely filthy condition, the chain especially.
  • I've cleaned & lubed it frequently since then, but will admit I've put off adjusting the chain a few too many times/for too long.
  • I am considering switching to a different chain wax product to see if chain life changes significantly -- obviously there are other factors to this, this is by no means a scientific test, but more a curiosity...
  • My new chain, installed today, is a D.I.D. Professional VX series -- so an X-Ring, 525 size. Believe my previous chain was an EK, and likely an O-ring but I forget.



How about you guys?
 
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Presently using Gunk/Liquid Wrench Chain Lube



Leaves a light grey look to the chain and so far so good. I have not tried another type/brand yet so I cannot really compare. Anyone else use the same product?
 
I use 'other' - PJ1 Blue Label

I use this because of all the great reviews it receives, and is available at Royal Distributing.
 
Dupont Chain Saver......probably every 700-900km, after a thorough kerosene cleaning.
 
DuPont now that I'm back on the chain.. missing the no maintenance on shaft drive. Btw webbikeworld just reviewed the little cans of DuPont wax
 
I use DuPont because I live close to Lowes and I use it on other moving parts on my bike.
 
I use Astroglide! If it works there it has to work on the chain
 
I use the V-Tom method of non-maintenance. I lube the chain with wurth hhs 2000 every time I fuel up (~400k or so) and after rain or being washed. I never clean the chain -- lube only. Right now I have 23000k on the chain and sprockets and I have not even had to adjust it yet as it has not stretched much.
 
Switched to DuPont this year, happy with it so far. Had been using Maxima the previous couple years but found dirt and other crap really seemed to stick to it.
 
Dupont every 500 - 700 kms after a kerosene cleaning. If I'm caught in the rain, I'll either do a full clean & lube, or at least wipe it dry, then give it a Dupont spray. If I'm on a trip & have no stand, I'll give it a wipe & spray at the end of each day. Traded the first bike in at 38,000 kms, OEM chain still in good shape. 2nd bike is at 40,000 kms & OEM chain still good.
 
Dupont for me as well. Clean after every 500 or so km's. I clean the chain with kerosene as well and then use a chain brush to get the grime off and then a brisk coat of Dupont Chain Saver. Have a center stand which makes the job easier.
 
Used to use maxima, was okay. Switched to DuPont last year, seems pretty good too. Clean chain about once a year, lube every 500kms. Currently has 26k on the chain and is in okay shape, sprocket is like new. Starting to get some tight spots now on the chain. I'll probably replace it at the end of the year and get a luber while I'm at it. I hate chain maintenance.
 
Dupont. I have used everything over the past 28 years. Dupont is easily the best. My chain now is 25k and like new, and I don't even lube it often.
 
DuPont chain saver. If in the USA check Walmart for a small, portable can (not the drop bottle)and they also carry a DuPont chain saver cleaner that does an incredible job.
The drip bottle is great for bicycle chains IMO.
 
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