Stanchion lube alternatives?

[LeeMcGough]

Does anyone know of any alternatives to the stanchion lube sold at bike shops? Can I use a touch of olive oil? I have a bit of a problem with buying little aerosol cans, and also hate the price of this stuff. If there's else I can use, especially something that won't kill fish, etc., I would love to hear about it.

[MileHighMark]

Silicone (spray) lube works really well. Just apply it to a clean, soft cloth or rag, and wipe down the stanchions.

[catskillclimber]

What about Finish Line chain lube? Will that work? I'm not suggesting, just asking.

[bigboognish]

i just use grease. just a put some on, and then wipe it all off so it doesn't hold dirt. there's still enough lube there for your sliders to be supple as a 16 year olds breast, and it's cheap.

[Ripp]

I've read that a drop or two of chain lube down by the seals is good. Should I really be buying and using a separate product for the shafts of my fork and shock?

[LeeMcGough]

Someone told me once that chain lube is no good for the seals. I don't know if it is true or not though. So I will conduct an experiment. My Marzocchi freeride fork will get only chain lube this year, and the Minute on my other bike will get only fork lube. Since I ride primarily the same trail on both bikes, they will be exposed to the same crud levels, and I will see which one holds up better.

[rockyrider]

The other option is to store the bike vertically with the front wheel up so that the fork oil collects near the seals and wets the foam rings. It will weep more but will lube the stanchions. The trick is to pick an angle that keeps your hydraulic brake caliper lower in height than the brake lever so you don't get bubbles in the caliper.

[tryandgetme]

Someone told me once that chain lube is no good for the seals. I don't know if it is true or not though. So I will conduct an experiment. My Marzocchi freeride fork will get only chain lube this year, and the Minute on my other bike will get only fork lube. Since I ride primarily the same trail on both bikes, they will be exposed to the same crud levels, and I will see which one holds up better.

might I suggest experimenting on the Marz only, but chain lube on one stanchoin, and fork lube on the other? That way you're experimenting on the exact same seal type. Exact same number of compressions, same crud level, the only thing that could possibly differ (in an amount that should matter) is the lube.

[brown group]

you need a very light coating of a grease for that purpose. My old RockShox Judy came with a little tub of Judy Butter, which is basically a grease, which I still use on my Fox fork. Doesn't take much, but I definitely wouldn't use anything that could drain down into the internals of the fork and contaminate the oil bath.

[Kopko]

http://www.speedgoat.com/product.asp?part=43159

On sale.

Any teflon based drip lube should work well. Chain lubes will emulsify your fork oil.

[LeeMcGough]

I think I will just use grease and see what happens. I don't want to use a spraycan of anything, because the trail I usually ride here is muddy most of the time, and I have to stop at least once or twice a ride to get debris out of my drivetrain and clean and lube my suspension. With the Marzocchi in particular, the difference immediately after cleaning and lubing is noticeable. Since I am a light rider (140-150 lbs), the stiction on the Z1FR3 almost turns the fork rigid when it is dry. If I can get away with bringing a tube of regular grease with me, then I don't have to bring so much stuff that I don't have room in my pack for water. As it is, I'm already fully laden with tubes, wrenches, allen keys, derailleur hanger, chain brush, etc. etc. If I do need a separate lube for the suspension, then I will go with a tube of it, not a can. Also, I am trying to go the cheapest route possible, because I am on parental leave right now:) , and don't have two spare pennies to rub together:( .

[brown group]

http://www.beyondbikes.com/BB/ItemDesc.asp?IC=QLU6509

also, in all my years of riding with a front fork (10? 12?) in the wettest, messiest conditions you could find in NE and PA I have never had to re-lube a fork during a ride. I don't think you need to carry it with you, just clean the stanchions off before your ride and put a light coating of lube evenly on them. Should be no chunks or globs.

[LeeMcGough]

I think the fork I'm talking about here may well have more stiction than all other forks put together in the history of mountain bike suspension. I should probably just buy something else, but I am broke right now. I will pick up the butter from my LBS, as beyond bikes wants to charge me over $24 to ship that $6 item.

[tryandgetme]

or, crack it open and give the insides a good cleaning out, might help. Maybe a new seal kit too. I know mine was stictioned to hell till I took it apart and cleaned it. Regular oil changes will probably help too.

[rockhound]

there's still enough lube there for your sliders to be supple as a 16 year olds breast...

"That's assault, brotha!"

[LeeMcGough]

"or, crack it open and give the insides a good cleaning out, might help. Maybe a new seal kit too. I know mine was stictioned to hell till I took it apart and cleaned it. Regular oil changes will probably help too." I have ordered a lighter spring kit from my LBS, and am going to get the fork cleaned and rebuilt with the lighter springs. Hopefully then I can start using more than one third of the travel. Hopefully my baby doesn't want anything to eat for the next couple of weeks;) (that will really cut down on diaper costs)

[rockyrider]

kids are resilient... they bounce back from a week or two of reduced food intake, it's only in their growth spurts where you can stunt their growth by limiting their food intake because of bike parts purchases. Or so I have been told. :rolleyes: Better now than after they learn to talk, then you never hear the end of it. :eek:

[LeeMcGough]

Excellent point Rockyrider. She isn't even a month old yet (strangely, I haven't been for a ride for almost a month...coincidence?), so she won't even remember that week or so without food. I am, however, concerned that my wife will notice, and consequently, remind me AND the baby once she is old enough to understand;-)