Customer Reviews

White Lightning Clean Ride 8-Ounce Drip Squeeze Bottle, The Original Self-Cleaning Wax Bicycle Chain Lubricant

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

It's a great lube if you want your chain to stay dry, BUT it is best applied to a super-clean chain or else you'll only be bonding dirt to your chain permanently. Meaning super hot water and even getting on your hands and knees with a toothbrush wont take this stuff off. It's pretty much permanent!

If you value your bike, don't use oil based lubes on your chain. Chain wax has been around a long time and is an excellent way to keep your chain clean and quiet. White Lightning is my favorite that's still being produced. Oil based lubes will attract dirt (just look at anything with oil on it like your car or lawnmower's engine) wax won't attract dirt like that. The discoloration you'll see is the wax capturing the metal from your chain as it "works" and produces small metal flakes due to metal on metal contact. If you absolutely must put some kind of other lube on your chain, use spray silicone. Silicone's properties won't attract dirt either, but you have to re-apply before each ride. Overall chain wax is the best for ease and protection and White Lightning does a very good job among chain waxes.

Several times I have looked at White Lightning in stores and never felt like going through the hassle of buying it and prepping my bike. I recently had a change of heart and picked up a bottle. After a thorough degreasing, I applied several coats of White Lightning and let it dry overnight. The next day the results were amazing. My bike was much quieter and shifting was much better. Ever since I've been using White Lightning as my primary chain lubricant.

The first bottle of this I found actually came from a discount store. Couldn't believe that. Anyway...when I found a much larger bottle on Amazon.com for a better price - I ordered it ASAP. If you own a new bicycle, start with this product & stick with it. If your bicycle has a few miles on it - CLEAN your chain THOROUGHLY before applying. You don't want any old grease, road grime or anything on your chain before using. A clean chain is a MUST.

Once on, you won't believe the outcome. It goes on clean & stays clean. You will not find yourself giving the chain a thorough cleaning again for a long while. I recommend using it every 100 to 150 miles - tops - more often if you think your bike needs it.

I'm a 'fair weather' rider. If you go out in any kind of weather or condition, try White Lightning Wet Ride Extreme Conditions Heavy Bicycle Chain Lube, 8-Ounce Drip Squeeze Bottle. Naturally, if you ride under extreme conditions, a good chain cleaning will need to be more frequent.

I love Clean Ride. No more black, greasy stains when you inevitably bump your chain against something. It may take a while to get your drivetrain thoroughly de-greased (I didn't remove my chain and let it soak in a de-greasing solution, so after the first de-greasing and Clean Ride application, a lot of black grease re-appeared), but it's worth it in the end. Smooth, quiet, and clean shifting.

As a bicycle commuter, I value a chain lubricant that helps keep my chain and clothes clean. Clean Ride works very well for that purpose. As expected, it requires time to "dry" between application and riding, as well as more frequent applications than oil based lubricants, but that is a small price to pay for the benefit of being able to cycle in everyday clothes without worry of getting black grease on my leg or pants. On the other hand, cyclists who do not place a premium on chain cleanliness will probably be better served by an oil based lubricant.

This stuff is nice but it doesn't protect your chain well in the rainy winter riding we get here in Seattle. I lube almost daily and my chain still rusted. But in the summer it's great, still with a near bi-daily lube. Yes it sticks to the dirt but then they both flake off. I clean the chain once a month then re-lube and that gives me about 1,500 miles on a SRAM 10 speed chain.

Still though it makes it so I can handle the chain and not get totally gunked up.

this stuff rocks...it cleans your chain and lubes it and protects it..you can't beat that . very very impressed and pricing is best...assuming your bike shop carries it..you won't find cheaper. Make sure you shake well before every use as wax sinks very quickly to bottom.

I want to start by addressing some of the reviews I've read. Yes, putting lube (any lube) on a dirty chain is going to create black, sludgy nastiness that will get on everything. Same goes for this lube. However, that does NOT mean it's the lube's fault. Instead, it's all the muck on your chain mixing with it. Use this lube properly by cleaning the chain thoroughly before applying and it will keep dirt off and keep your chain running smooth for much longer than a cheap wet lube. If you're unwilling to spend the time and money required to properly maintain your bicycle, you can't expect to get good results from this lube or from your bicycle in general. Bottom line, this lube does a great job and is by far the best I've used on a chain.

I started using White Lightning since my new bikes. 2010 TREK 1.5, and 2011 TREK Madone. I fine that it does keep the chain clean most of the time, but still leaves a smaller amount of black.
I use "Finish Line Liquid Degreaser" in my "Finish Line Chain Cleaner" (BOTH WORTH GETTING). Then use the "Clean Ride" to lube. Wipe the excess off.
BUT, I notice I get chain noise. You can hear the chain going thru the sprockets of both front and back making me think the chain is DRY. Just make sure ever 100 or so miles, you relube.
When using other lubes, you get a quieter chain BUT a black messy chain....... a trade off.
Several bike shops also recommend installing a new chain ever season anyway.